Genetic variants of the androgen receptor and frailty in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence suggests a relationship between frailty and age at menopause. The hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause may contribute to frailty, with androgens being prime candidates due to their anabolic properties. This study aimed to elucidate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the androgen receptor (AR) gene are associated with frailty. A cross-sectional study was conducted within the frailty sub-cohort of a population-based sample of community-dwelling postmenopausal women. Two SNPs of the AR gene, selected for their potential to modulate AR functionality, were analyzed. A multinomial ordinal regression model was applied to estimate phenotypic variance. A total of 392 women (mean age: 64.1 years) were included, with a frailty status distribution of 29.6% being frail, 38.5% prefrail, and 31.9% robust, consistent with population-based data for this age group. Neither of the selected AR gene SNPs (rs5919427 and rs2497942) showed a statistically significant association with frailty status. Age, reproductive factors (including number of deliveries and miscarriages), number of comorbidities, and body mass index were independently associated with frailty. Further research is warranted to comprehensively explore the potential role of AR gene variants in frailty susceptibility.