Plasma Testosterone Level in Male Patients with Metabolic Syndrome,NASHWA EL-SARRAF and AMR EL-HADIDY
Abstract
Background and Aim: Mild hypogonadism in men have been associated with features of metabolic syndrome.
The aim of the present work is to study the role of serum testosterone in middle aged men with metabolic syndrome.
Subject and Methods: The study group comprised 50 middle aged men who fulfilled the definition criteria of metabolic syndrome according to WHO definition. They were divided into two groups:
Group (1): Included 19 patients with IHD (mean age of 50.6±5.1 years).
Group (2): Included 31 patients without IHD (mean age of 50.6±5.1 years).
A group of 20 age matched healthy men was used as a control group their age ranged from 41-57 years with a mean of 49.1±5.4 years.
All patients and controls were subjected to thorough clinical examination including blood pressure, weight, height, BMI and WHR; investigations including ECG, CBC, fasting and postprandial blood sugar, lipid profile and serum uric acid.
Total serum testosterone was measured in patients and controls by the use of enzyme chemiluminescent assay on the immulite autoanalyzer.
Results: Serum total testosterone level ranged from 0.4- 7.8ng/ml in patients group with a mean of 3.8±1.8 while in the control group it ranged from 2.4-9.3ng/ml with a mean of 5.3±1.9. Comparing serum testosterone level in both groups it was found to be statistically highly significant lower in patients group than in control group p=0.003.
A significant negative correlation was found between serum total testosterone level (3.8±1.8ng/ml) and age (50.6±5.1ys) in the the group of patients. r=0.32 p=0.02.
A highly significant negative correlation was detected between serum total testosterone level and fasting blood sugar, serum triglycerides, serum total cholesterol, serum uric acid and diastolic blood pressure. (r=0.728, 0.872, 0.7370, 0.990 and 0.697 respectively).
A highly significant positive correlation was detected between serum total testosterone and HDL (r=0.935) and haemoglobin (r=0.879).
Statistically insignificant negative correlation was detected between serum total testosterone level and age, WHR, post-prandial blood sugar and LDL.
Statistically insignificant positive correlation was detected between serum total testosterone level and BMI.
Serum total testosterone level was found to be statistically insignificant lower in group (1) with evidence of IHD (3.45± 1.49ng/ml) than in group (2) patients without evidence of IHD (3.97±1.99ng/ml), p=0.336.
Conclusion: We have concluded that middle aged men with metabolic syndrome have lower testosterone level than normal population. There is a possible role of testosterone in the development or progression of metabolic syndrome and/or its components according to WHO definition.