Urolithiasis is associated with low serum testosterone levels in men

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Urolithiasis is a common condition with increasing prevalence.
• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Serum testosterone (T) levels may be associated with various health conditions in men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between urolithiasis, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and serum testosterone (T) levels in men.
• To determine if low testosterone is a risk factor for kidney stone formation.
• To explore potential links between MetS and urolithiasis in the context of testosterone levels.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 513 men, divided into 313 with a history of stones and 200 controls.
• Measurement of early morning serum T levels.
• Assessment of MetS using anthropometric measurements and statistical analysis (chi-square tests).

Main Results:

• Men with a history of urolithiasis exhibited lower serum T levels compared to controls.
• Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 51.4% of stone formers and 46% of controls.
• Low testosterone levels (< 285 ng/dl) were significantly associated with the presence of both MetS and urolithiasis (p=0.002, OR=2.71).

Conclusions:

• Patients with urolithiasis demonstrated lower testosterone levels and a higher prevalence of MetS.
• Testosterone levels were not found to directly influence stone formation.
• Factors contributing to stone formation may negatively impact testosterone levels in men.