Dehydroepiandrosterone levels vary according as heart failure condition in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

The secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) decreases with age, and the incidence of heart failure rises in the elderly population. We measured plasma DHEAS levels in 50 male patients (mean 66.7 ± 9.1 years old) with congestive heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy before and after treatment. The study included 50 age-matched control subjects with coronary spastic angina (mean 65.5 ± 8.8 years old). DHEAS levels were significantly lower in patients with congestive heart failure than in controls (82.2 ± 9.9 vs. 122.7 ± 18.6 µg/dL, respectively, p < 0.01), whereas there was no difference in cortisol levels between the 2 groups. After 3 months of treatment, NYHA functional class improved in all patients, and DHEAS levels increased (from 82.2 ± 9.9 to 106.2 ± 21.1 µg/dL, p < 0.01). DHEAS levels vary according as heart failure condition in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.