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Reproductive hormone levels predict changes in frailty status in community-dwelling older men: European male ageing study prospective data

  • Agnieszka Swiecicka
  • , Robert J.A.H. Eendebak
  • , Mark Lunt
  • , Terence W. O'Neill
  • , György Bartfai
  • , Felipe F. Casanueva
  • , Gianni Forti
  • , Aleksander Giwercman
  • , Thang S. Han
  • , Jolanta Slowikowska-Hilczer
  • , Michael E.J. Lean
  • , Neil Pendleton
  • , Margus Punab
  • , Dirk Vanderschueren
  • , Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi
  • , Frederick C.W. Wu
  • , Martin K. Rutter
  • University of Manchester
  • Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • University of Szeged
  • University of Santiago de Compostela
  • University of Florence
  • Lund University
  • Royal Holloway University of London
  • Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Medical University of Łódź
  • University of Glasgow
  • Tartu University Clinics
  • KU Leuven
  • Imperial College London
  • University of Turku
  • Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Context: Clinical sequelae of androgen deficiency share common features with frailty. Evidence supporting the role of androgens in the development of frailty is limited and conflicting. Objective: To determine associations between male reproductive hormones and prospective changes in frailty status. Design/Setting: A 4.3-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling men participating in the European Male Ageing Study. Participants: A total of 3369 men aged 40 to 79 from eight European centers. Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measure: Frailty status was determined using frailty index (FI; n = 2278) and frailty phenotype (FP; n = 1980). Results: After adjusting for baseline frailty, age, center, and smoking, the risk ofworsening FI decreased with higher testosterone (T), free T, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [percentage change (95% confidence interval) in FI associated with 1 standard deviation higher hormone level: -3.0 (-5.9, -1.0) for total T; -3.9 (-6.8, -2.0) for free T; and -3.9 (-6.8, -2.0) forDHT]. After further adjustment for bodymass index, only free T remained a significant predictor of FI change. In fully adjusted models, higher luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were positively related to worsening FI only in men ,60 years, and higher estradiol predicted lower likelihood of improving FP [odds ratio: 0.68 (0.52, 0.88)]. Conclusions: These prospective data support the hypothesis that higher androgen levels may protect elderly men from worsening frailty. However, the causal nature of these relationships requires further investigation.Whereas raised gonadotropins inmen,60 yearsmight be an earlymarker of frailty, the role of estradiol in frailty needs further clarification.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)701-709
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume103
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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