[Relationships between sex hormone levels in men over 50 years of age and body composition, bone quality, and quality of life].

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there was a relationship between sex hormone levels and body composition, bone health, and health-related quality of life in men over 50 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS Transversal study carried out in 230 Spanish male outpatients. Body composition was studied using direct anthropometric measures: height, weight, waistline circumference, dominant arm circumference, tricipital skinfold, dominant arm skinfold, subscapular skinfold. Calculated anthropometric parameters were obtained. Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus were performed and bone turnover markers were determined (N-telopeptides urinary excretion and calcium/creatinine urinary rate). Quality of life was studied using the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36). Blood tests included total testosterone, sex hormone binding-globulin, calculated free testosterone (cFT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), androstenedione, 17-β-estradiol and gonadotrophins. RESULTS cFT was associated with increased muscle and to decreased in fat content, even after adjusting for age (p<0.05). Bone density was only related to estradiol and its bioavailable fraction (p<0.05). DHEA-S and cFT were related (p<0.05) to some SF-36 subscales. CONCLUSIONS cFT level is most associated with body changes that accompany aging. Androgen levels are not related to bone density. Decline in cFT and DHEA-s levels might be related to decreased quality of life.