[Testosterone-deficiency as a risk factor for hip fracture in eldery men]

Objectives: Progressive loss of bone mineral density weakens the bones and increases the probability of osteoporotic fractures. It is well known that sex steroids play a role in the maintenance of bone density. This fact makes us think there might be a correlation between sex steroid levels and osteoporotic hip fractures.

Material and methods: A case-control study was performed. The cases were 54 men who suffered from hip fracture. They were compared with 54 age-matched male control subjects. Levels of total testosterone, sex hormone binding globuline, albumin and oestradiol were measured in all subjects in order to calculate free testosterone and bio-testosterone levels.

Results: Men who suffered from hip fracture had lower serum total testosterone (8.74 nmol/L versus 11.16 nmol/L; p=0.116) and lower free testostenone (155.1pmol/L versus 204.4pmol/L; p=0.02) than control subjects. Bio-testosterone levels were lower in patients with hip fracture (2.69 nmol/L versus 3.89 nmol/L; p=0.002), being the latter the best fracture predictor (OR: 1.58).

Conclusions: In our study population, men with hip fractures had significantly lower levels of calculated free testosterone and bio-testosterone. These findings suggest that free testosterone and bio-testosterone levels are independent predictors for osteoporotic hip fracture in eldery men.