Elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in aging men with low testosterone

Abstract

Objective. We examined baseline data from a lipid treatment study to assess the relationship between testosterone (T) and the cardiovascular inflammatory marker, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

Methods. The baseline T, hsCRP, lipid, glycemic, and anthropometric data were obtained from 467 men (mean age: 52 years). Inclusion criteria included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 3.4 to 4.9 mmol/l and triglycerides ≤ 4.0 mmol/l. The baseline hsCRP levels were examined across the following T subgroups: <6.9 nmol/l (moderate to severe hypogonadism), 6.9 to <10.4 nmol/l (mild to moderate hypogonadism), 10.4 to <15 nmol/l (low-normal T), and ≥ 15 nmol/l (normal T).

Results. The median hsCRP levels were significantly (p = 0.041) different across the four T subgroups; patients in the lower T subgroups had higher median hsCRP levels than patients in the higher T subgroups. The percentage of men with elevated hsCRP (>2 mg/l) was also significantly (p = 0.038) different across the four T subgroups; 83% of men with T < 6.9 nmol/l had elevated hsCRP compared with 40% with T ≥ 15 nmol/l.

Conclusions. This analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between serum T and hsCRP in aging men. Urologists need to be aware that low T levels may not only adversely affect sexual function but also may worsen cardiovascular risk in aging, hypogonadal men.

Keywords:

• Hypogonadism
• testosterone
• high sensitivity C-reactive protein
• aging men

Acknowledgements

Dr. Kaplan has been an investigator in studies funded by Merck & Co., Inc. Drs. Johnson-Levonas, Shah, Meehan, and Mr. Lin are employees of and hold stock in Merck & Co., Inc. This study was funded by Merck & Co., Inc. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.