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

Abstract

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.