The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5025.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - Board 1

Abstract #58147

Concomitant Changes in Sex Hormones and Age in a Population-Based Sample of African-American Men

Aruna V. Sarma, PhD1, Julie C. McLaughlin, MS, MPH1, Steven J Jacobsen, MD, MPH2, Emily R. Lipp, MPH1, Rodney Dunn, MS1, Craig Jaffe, MD3, Kathleen A. Cooney, MD1, James E. Montie, MD4, David Schottenfeld, MD5, and John T. Wei, MD6. (1) Urology, University of Michigan, 1016 Women's Trailer, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-763-7514, asarma@umich.edu, (2) Clinical Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (3) Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Michigan, 3920 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0354, (4) Urology Surgery, University of Michigan, 2916 TC, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (5) Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, (6) Department of Surgery/Urology, The University of Michigan, 2916 Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0330

Introduction: Numerous studies have documented age-dependent declines in androgen levels in men. Few studies, however, have characterized sex hormones in relation to lifestyle and behavioral factors, and the pattern of association between age and serum sex hormone levels in a community-based study of older African-American men. This is the first population-based study of concomitant changes in sex hormones and age in African-American men adjusted for physical activity, body mass index, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Methods: A probability sample identified 817 black men aged 40-79, selected from households in Genesee County, Michigan. 420 men free of prostate cancer and prior prostate surgery completed a detailed in-home interview and provided a serum sample. Results: Total and free testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, and estrone concentrations were negatively correlated, whereas the concentration of SHBG was positively correlated, with age (p<0.05). In multivariate analyses, the concentrations of total and free testosterone, DHEAS, and estrone decreased significantly with age (p<0.05). No significant pattern of androstenediol glucuronide, estradiol, or prolactin was noted by age. Conclusion: This study documents a consistent decline in sex hormones with age in a population of African-American men, after adjusting for smoking, alcohol use, physical activity and BMI. Given the overall increase in disease risk with age, future community-based longitudinal studies of both white and black men are essential to understanding the pathways by which androgenic or estrogenic hormones may mediate the development of disease in elderly men.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Aging, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Behavior, Lifestyle and Social Determinants of Health: Poster Session 1

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA