Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Circulating levels of androgens, such as testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), decline with age, but the clinical importance of this phenomenon remains unclear.We determined the prospective association between age-related decline in androgen levels and changes in physical function and frailty in European Male Ageing Study participants.Methods: In a 4.4-year prospective cohort study of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 from 8 European centres, we assessed relationships between changes (baseline to follow up) in T, free T, DHEA-S, and gonadotropins with concomitant changes in 15-meter walk time, 5 chair stands time, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) composite physical scores, and frailty status (frailty phenotype (FP) and index (FI)).Results: In unadjusted models, 1 SD decline in T or free T over 4.4 years was associated with: a) worsening FP [T: OR (95%CI): 1.14 (1.01; 1.28); free T: 1.24 (1.09; 1.40)]; b) worsening FI [% change (95%CI) for T: 2.5 (0.5; 5.1); free T: 6.0 (3.1; 8.3)]; c) worsening walking time [% change for T: 1.1 (0.4; 1.9); free T: 2.0 (1.3; 2.9)], d) worsening 5 chair stands time [% change for T: 1.0 (0.1; 2.0); free T: 1.3 (0.3; 2.2)] and e) worsening self-perceived physical function [SF-36, %change for T: -6.9 (-10.5;-3.7); free T: -8.1 (-9.3; -1.2)].Associations remained statistically significant after adjustments, except for those between T and frailty.On multiple adjustments, 1 SD decline in DHEA-S level was associated with worsening FP [OR 1.15 (1.01; 1.32)] Conclusion: These results support the inferred causal relationship between androgens and physical function; they strengthen the case for further exploring the potential role(s) of these hormones in the development of frailty in ageing men.
Author: Swiecicka, Agnieszka
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7127544975