Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration and carotid atherosclerosis in men with type 2 diabetes

Decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men. We evaluated relationships between serum DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) concentration and carotid atherosclerosis, as well as major cardiovascular risk factors, in men with type 2 diabetes. Serum DHEA-S concentrations were measured in 206 consecutive men with type 2 diabetes. Relationships were analyzed between serum DHEA-S concentration and carotid atherosclerosis, determined by ultrasonographically evaluated intima–media thickness (IMT) and plaque score (PS), as well as major cardiovascular risk factors, including age, blood pressure, and lipid concentrations. Negative correlations were found between DHEA-S concentration and IMT (r = −0.298, P < 0.0001) and between DHEA-S concentration and PS (r = −0.308, P < 0.0001). IMT and PS were significantly greater in patients with lower concentrations of DHEA-S (<1000 ng/ml) than in patients with higher concentrations of DHEA-S (1.07 ± 0.30 mm versus 0.91 ± 0.19 mm, P < 0.0001, and 5.5 ± 4.2 versus 3.1 ± 3.4, P < 0.0001, respectively). A negative correlation was found between serum DHEA-S concentration and age (r = −0.488, P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum DHEA-S concentration was an independent determinant of IMT (β = −0.289, P < 0.0001) and of PS (β = −0.301, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, serum DHEA-S concentration is negatively associated with carotid atherosclerosis determined by ultrasonographically evaluated IMT and PS in men with type 2 diabetes.