An association between bone mineral density and anabolic hormones in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes

Introduction: Prediabetes (PD) leads to reduced testosterone (T) in males, but the association between the anabolic hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unknown. Objectives: We investigated an association between the anabolic hormones and BMD in middle-aged and elderly men with PD. Methods: We investigated 84 prediabetic and 56 control men. Total T (TT), calculated free T (cFT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured, and BMD was assessed using DXA methods. Results: Patients with PD had lower TT (p < .001), cFT (p < .005), and DHEAS (p < .02) than control group. BMD values of the lower lumbar spine (p < .02) and total body (p < .05) in prediabetic men were lower than in control group. Lumbar spine BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.376), cFT (r = 0.235), and HbA1c (r = -0.368); femoral neck BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.412) and cFT (r = 0.421). The high lumbar spine and femur neck BMD was associated with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c, while the high total body BMD with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c. Conclusion: The anabolic hormones significantly affect BMD in male with PD, and screening for low BMD is necessary in these patients.