Study of the relation between the serum level of male sex hormone and peripheral vascular disease in elderly men

Introduction Testosterone hormone decreases consistently with advancing age. Many studies have shown a possible relationship between decreasing level of testosterone and atherosclerosis. Objective The objective of our study was to demonstrate the relationship between male sex hormone [testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)] concentration and peripheral vascular disease in elderly men. Background Few studies have explored the relationship between serum sex hormones and lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in men. Patients and methods Our study was conducted on 20 elderly men older than 65 years with peripheral vascular disease and 10 healthy age-matched men as controls. Lower-extremity PAD was defined as ankle brachial index less than 0.90 and diagnosis was confirmed with Doppler ultrasound. Radioimmunoassay measured serum levels of total testosterone and SHBG, and we calculated free androgen index level from the mass action equations. Results The results show that serum level of total testosterone, SHBG, and free androgen index were lower in men with peripheral vascular disease than in those without. There is a positive correlation between total testosterone, SHBG, free androgen index, and ankle brachial index. Conclusion Low serum level of total testosterone, SHBG, and free androgen index are significantly and independently associated with the presence of PAD in elderly men.