Undiagnosed prediabetes is highly prevalent in primary infertile men - results from a cross-sectional study

To study the prevalence and the risk associated with prediabetes (PreDM) in primary infertile men.

Data from 744 infertile men were analysed. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Serum hormones were measured in every man. Semen analysis was based on 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) reference criteria. PreDM was defined according to the clinical criteria detailed by the American Diabetes Association (Diabetes Care 2014; 37 (Suppl. 1): S81). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses tested the association between PreDM status, hormonal milieu and seminal parameters. The predictive accuracy of all variables was evaluated using the area under the curve, and the clinical net benefit estimated by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Of the 744 men, PreDM was found in 114 (15.4%). Men with PreDM (+PreDM) were older, had higher CCI scores, lower total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin but higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and 17β-oestradiol values compared to those without PreDM (-PreDM) (all P ≤ 0.04). Higher sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI; P = 0.014) and idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA; P < 0.001) were found more frequently in +PreDM men. At multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, FSH and iNOA (all P ≤ 0.04) were significantly associated with +PreDM status. DCA demonstrated a clinical net benefit in discriminating men at higher risk of a +PreDM status.

About 15% of primary infertile men had criteria suggestive of undiagnosed PreDM. A PreDM status was associated with a greater risk of hypogonadism, higher DFI values and iNOA status. Age, FSH values and iNOA status could be considered as useful parameters to recognise men with PreDM and implement early preventive interventions in those men at risk of the consequences from poor glycaemic control.