The relationship between androgens and arterial stiffness in older men.

J Am Geriatr Soc

Section of Geriatric Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Published: November 2003

Objectives: To assess the relationship between endogenous androgen levels and arterial stiffness in older men.

Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: A London hospital-based, clinical research unit for the elderly.

Participants: Fifty-five men (mean age+/-standard deviation=71.1+/-8.0).

Intervention: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured in all subjects who had a stored serum sample drawn the same day as arterial stiffness measures were performed. Free testosterone index (FTI) was calculated ((total testosterone/SHBG) x 100 (%)). The measures of arterial stiffness used were pulse wave velocity (PWV) using the Complior system and systemic arterial compliance (SAC) using the area method.

Measurements: Relationship between arterial stiffness and serum androgens.

Results: : FTI showed a strong positive relationship with SAC (r=0.507, P<.001) and, correspondingly, an inverse relationship with carotid-femoral (C-F) and carotid-radial (C-R) PWV (r=-0.427 and -0.402, respectively, P
Conclusion: The known association between lower androgenicity and increased cardiovascular risk in men might be explained by altered vascular stiffness.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51515.xDOI Listing

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