Lower Testosterone Levels Predict Incident Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in Older Men
Open Access
- 1 July 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Vol. 94 (7), 2353-2359
- https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-2416
Abstract
Context: Lower circulating testosterone concentrations are associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, carotid intima-media thickness, and aortic and lower limb arterial disease in men. However, it is unclear whether lower testosterone levels predict major cardiovascular events. Objective: We examined whether lower serum testosterone was an independently significant risk factor for symptomatic cerebrovascular events in older men. Design: This was a prospective observational study with median follow-up of 3.5 yr. Setting: Community-dwelling, stroke-free older men were studied. Participants: A total of 3443 men at least 70 yr of age participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Baseline serum total testosterone, SHBG, and LH were assayed. Free testosterone was calculated using mass action equations. Incident stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) was recorded. Results: A first stroke or TIA occurred in 119 men (3.5%). Total and free testosterone concentrations in the lowest quartiles (P = 0.014 and P = 0.01, respectively). After adjustment including age, waist-hip ratio, waist circumference, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and medical comorbidity, lower total testosterone predicted increased incidence of stroke or TIA (hazard ratio = 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–2.99). Lower free testosterone was also associated (hazard ratio = 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.48), whereas SHBG and LH were not independently associated with incident stroke or TIA. Conclusions: In older men, lower total testosterone levels predict increased incidence of stroke or TIA after adjusting for conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Men with low-normal testosterone levels had increased risk. Further studies are warranted to determine whether interventions that raise circulating testosterone levels might prevent cerebrovascular disease in men.Keywords
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