Cortisol, DHEAS, their ratio and the metabolic syndrome: evidence from the Vietnam Experience Study
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of these analyses was to examine the association of cortisol, DHEAS and the cortisol:DHEAS ratio with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.
Design
The analyses were cross-sectional.
Methods
Participants were 4255 Vietnam era US army veterans. From military service files, telephone interviews and a medical examination, occupational, socio-demographic and health data were collected. MetS was ascertained from data on body mass index; fasting blood glucose or a diagnosis of diabetes; blood pressure or a diagnosis of hypertension; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and triglyceride levels. Contemporary morning fasted cortisol and DHEAS concentrations were determined. The outcomes were MetS and its components. Analysis was by logistic regression, first adjusting for age and then additionally for an array of candidate confounders.
Results
Cortisol, although not in the fully adjusted analysis, and DHEAS were both related to MetS. Whereas high cortisol concentrations were associated with an increased risk of MetS, high DHEAS concentrations appeared protective. By far, the strongest associations with MetS were observed for the cortisol:DHEAS ratio; the higher the ratio, the greater the risk of having MetS. The ratio was also significantly related to four of the five MetS components.
Conclusions
The cortisol:DHEAS ratio is positively associated with MetS. Prospective analyses are needed to help untangle direction of causality, but this study suggests that the cortisol:DHEAS ratio is worthy of further study in this and other health contexts.
The aim of these analyses was to examine the association of cortisol, DHEAS and the cortisol:DHEAS ratio with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.
Design
The analyses were cross-sectional.
Methods
Participants were 4255 Vietnam era US army veterans. From military service files, telephone interviews and a medical examination, occupational, socio-demographic and health data were collected. MetS was ascertained from data on body mass index; fasting blood glucose or a diagnosis of diabetes; blood pressure or a diagnosis of hypertension; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and triglyceride levels. Contemporary morning fasted cortisol and DHEAS concentrations were determined. The outcomes were MetS and its components. Analysis was by logistic regression, first adjusting for age and then additionally for an array of candidate confounders.
Results
Cortisol, although not in the fully adjusted analysis, and DHEAS were both related to MetS. Whereas high cortisol concentrations were associated with an increased risk of MetS, high DHEAS concentrations appeared protective. By far, the strongest associations with MetS were observed for the cortisol:DHEAS ratio; the higher the ratio, the greater the risk of having MetS. The ratio was also significantly related to four of the five MetS components.
Conclusions
The cortisol:DHEAS ratio is positively associated with MetS. Prospective analyses are needed to help untangle direction of causality, but this study suggests that the cortisol:DHEAS ratio is worthy of further study in this and other health contexts.
Date Issued
2010-05-01
Date Acceptance
2010-02-17
Citation
European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE), 2010, 162 (5), pp.919-923
ISSN
0804-4643
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Start Page
919
End Page
923
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE)
Volume
162
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2010 European Society of Endocrinology.
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20164211
PII: EJE-09-1078
Subjects
ALL-CAUSE
ASSOCIATION
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE
DISEASE MORTALITY
Endocrinology & Metabolism
HEALTH-STATUS
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
MEN
OBESITY
ORAL DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE
RISK-FACTORS
Science & Technology
SERUM DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2010-05-01