Sex hormone-binding globulin, androgens and mortality: the KORA-F4 cohort study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Sex hormone-binding globulin (SBHG) and androgen have been associated with mortality in women and men, but controversy still exists. Our objective was to investigate associations of SHBG and androgen with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in men and women. DESIGN:1006 men and 709 peri- and postmenopausal women (age range: 45-82 years) from the German population-based KORA F4 cohort study were followed up for a median of 8.7 years. METHODS:SHBG was measured with an immunoassay, total testosterone (TT) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with mass-spectrometry in serum samples and we calculated free testosterone (cFT). To assess associations between SHBG and androgen levels and mortality, we calculated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox proportional-hazards models. RESULTS:128 men (12.7%) and 70 women (9.9%) died. In women, we observed positive associations of SHBG with all-cause (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.16-2.04) and with other-cause mortality (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.08-3.20) and for DHT with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.00-1.73). In men, we found a positive association of SHBG (HR: 1.24 95% CI: 1.00-1.54) and inverse associations of TT (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.97) and cFT (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97) with all-cause mortality. No other associations were found for cause-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Higher SHBG levels were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in men and women. Lower TT and cFT levels in men and higher DHT levels in women were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Future, well-powered population-based studies should further investigate cause-specific mortality risk.

SUBMITTER: Schederecker F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7219137 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature