The association between testosterone deficiency and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men in Korea: a comparative analytical cross-sectional study

Asociación entre la deficiencia de testosterona y el síndrome metabólico en hombres de mediana edad y mayores en Corea del Sur: un estudio transversal analítico comparativo

Background: The number of elderly patients with metabolic syndrome is on the rise in Korea. A prevalent indication of aging in males is a decrease in testosterone levels. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome due to testosterone deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Methods: The participants included 6118 middle-age men aged 40 to 59 and 1542 middle-aged men aged 60 to 79 (7660 participants). A testosterone level of 2.5 ng/mL or less was used as the diagnostic criterion for testosterone deficiency. The study used logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio and find the cut-off value of testosterone for metabolic syndrome. The results showed that 8.3% of middle-aged and 12.9% of elderly individuals had testosterone deficiency, and 39.3% of testosterone deficiency middle-aged and 52.8% of testosterone deficiency elderly individuals had metabolic syndrome. Results: Testosterone deficiency had a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome (middle-age odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–1.94 and elderly odds ratio 2.32; 95% confience interval, 1.71–3.13). The cut-off value of testosterone for metabolic syndrome was 4.2 ng/mL in middle-age and 3.9 ng/mL in older age. Engaging in regular physical activity has a posivive impact on metabolic syndrome, leading to a 36% decrease in the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome in middle-aged individuals who engage in exercise and a 13% decrease in elderly. Conclusions: Middle-age and elderly individuals with testosterone deficiency had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, and exercise had a preventive effect even if they had testosterone deficiency. High exercise and low alcohol consumption reduced metabolic syndrome prevalence even in the presence of testosterone deficiency. The results of this study will provide useful information for preventing metabolic syndrome in people with testosterone deficiency.

Resumen

Antecedentes: El síndrome metabólico está aumentando entre los ancianos en Corea del Sur y los niveles bajos de testosterona son uno de los fenómenos del envejecimiento. Una indicación frecuente del envejecimiento en los hombres es una disminución en los niveles de testosterona. Este estudio se realizó como un estudio transversal para analizar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico debido a la deficiencia de testosterona en personas de mediana edad y mayores. Métodos: Los participantes incluyeron 6118 hombres de mediana edad de 40 a 59 años y 1542 hombres de mediana edad de 60 a 79 años (7660 participantes). Un nivel de testosterona de 2.5 ng/mL o menos se utilizó como criterio de diagnóstico para la deficiencia de testosterona. Resultados: La deficiencia de testosterona tuvo un riesgo significativamente mayor de síndrome metabólico (odds ratio de mediana edad, 1.58; confience interval del 95%, 1.31–1.94 y odds ratio de ancianos 2.32; confience interval del 95%, 1.71–3.13). El valor de corte de testosterona para el síndrome metabólico fue de 4.2 ng/mL en la mediana edad y de 3.9 ng/mL en la edad avanzada. Realizar actividad física de forma regular tiene un impacto positivo sobre el síndrome metabólico, dando lugar a una disminución del 36% en la probabilidad de desarrollar síndrome metabólico en personas de mediana edad que realizan ejercicio y una disminución del 13%en personas mayores. Conclusiones: Las personas de mediana edad y mayores con deficiencia de testosterona tenían un mayor riesgo de síndrome metabólico, y el ejercicio tenía un efecto preventivo incluso si tenían deficiencia de testosterona. El ejercicio intenso y el bajo consumo de alcohol redujeron la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico incluso en presencia de deficiencia de testosterona. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionarán información útil para prevenir el síndrome metabólico en personas con deficiencia de testosterona.

Testosterone; Deficiency; Metabolic syndrome; Middle-age; Elderly; Cut-off value

Palabras Clave

Testosterona; Deficiencia; Síndrome metabólico; Edad mediana; Ancianos; Valor de corte

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