Alankar Tiwari1, Anubha Srivastava2
BACKGROUND
Role of testosterone in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus has been studied in recent years and an inverse relationship has been subsequently elicited. Low testosterone levels have been associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, limited data are available regarding association of testosterone with metabolic indices like Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and lipid profile. This study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating levels of serum testosterone in newly diagnosed male T2DM and to correlate testosterone levels with the glycemic status and other metabolic indices.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A single point cross sectional case control study was conducted at MLN Medical College, Allahabad and its associated SRN Hospital, Allahabad during a period from March 2013 to July 2014 on 168 males between 18-60 years of age of whom 83 were diagnosed with T2DM within the past three months were taken as cases and remaining 85 patients without diabetes were taken as controls. Detailed history was obtained and clinical examination was done. Low testosterone was defined as total testosterone <241 ng/dl and its prevalence was calculated. The values of serum testosterone were correlated with Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Post-prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS), Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), BMI, Waist circumference and Lipid profile of the patients.
RESULTS
Out of the 83 patients of T2DM, low serum testosterone was found in 37 (44.58%) while it was present in only 10 (11.8%) of 85 controls, which was found to be statistically significant (p value=<0.0001). The mean HbA1c in T2DM with low testosterone was 6.81±0.44% compared to 6.5±0.47% in normal testosterone group and the difference was statistically significant (p value=0.0029). Among cases there was statistical difference between low and normal testosterone values when BMI was compared (p=0.0162). It was significant among controls as well (p=0.0229).
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of hypogonadism was significantly higher in T2DM as compared to controls. Testosterone levels had significant negative correlation with HbA1c levels and BMI of the subjects.
