Abstract:
Background: Testosterone deficiency (TD) has been commonly documented in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from many Western countries. However, there are few published studies regarding testosterone levels in T2DM in Asian men. Methods: We have conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of low testosterone level and its associated factors among 189 Thai men with T2DM at diabetes clinic between January 2014 - 2015. The patients baseline characteristics, hypogonadal symptoms and quality of life were collected. Blood sample was collected for testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (cFT) and bioavailable testosterone (cBT) were calculated using Vermeulens method. Results: Overall, 9% of men with T2DM had TD. The prevalence TD was similar among all three criteria. TD associated with severity symptoms of androgen deficiency and poor quality of life. BMI was significantly positively correlated with TD (OR 1.17, 95%CI; 1.03-1.32) while SHBG levels was significantly negatively correlated with TD (OR 0.925, 95% CI; 0.88-0.97). There was no relationship between serum TT level and duration of diabetes, waist circumference, testicular size, micro/macrovascular complication, FPG and A1C. Conclusion: TD among Thai men with T2DM was not prevalent. The importance was the association with poorer quality of life. Body mass index and SHBG level were found to be the risk factors for TD.