Association between Serum Testosterone and Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Serum testosterone is linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Aortic stenosis (AS) shares risk factors with cardiovascular disease.
• The association between serum testosterone and AS has not been previously studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate the association between serum testosterone levels and the risk of developing AS.
• To determine if higher testosterone levels correlate with an increased incidence of AS in men.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 2577 men aged 42-61 years.
• Serum testosterone measured at baseline using radioimmunoassay.
• AS risk estimated using hazard ratios (HRs) after a median follow-up of 27.2 years, with adjustments for multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• 119 cases of AS were recorded during follow-up.
• AS risk showed a continuous increase with serum testosterone levels between 25-39 nmol/L.
• An adjusted HR of 1.39 (95% CI, 1.10-1.76) per 10 nmol/L increase in serum testosterone was observed.
• Comparing the highest versus lowest third of serum testosterone, adjusted risk estimates for AS were 1.76 (1.11-2.81) and 1.76 (1.10-2.80), respectively.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of AS in middle-aged and older Finnish men.
• These findings highlight a potential role for testosterone in AS pathogenesis.
• Further research is required to confirm these results and explore testosterone's relevance in AS prevention.