Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and common carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Backgrounds/Aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Studies have shown an inverse relationship between plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and coronary artery disease. It has been reported that DHEA-S levels are negatively correlated with common carotid intima-media thickness (CCIMT) with type 2 DM but only in men. We examined the association between endogenous DHEA-S and CCIMT,

in patients of both sexes with type 2 DM.

Methods Serum DHEA-S concentration was measured in 169 participants with type 2 DM (102 females and 67 males). High-resolution real-time ultrasonography was used to measure the left and right CCIMT. Along with demographic data and anthropometric variables, traditional CVD risk factors, alcohol and tobacco use were also assessed.

Results DHEA-S concentration was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.287, p<0.001) and CCIMT (r=-0.236, p=0.002). A positive correlation was found between mean CCIMT and age (r=0.325, p<0.001), and duration of DM (r=0.17, p=0.03). Multiple regression analysis showed that DHEA-S concentration remained negatively associated with CCIMT after adjustment for age, smoke use and hypertension (b=-0.21, 95% CI: 0.259–1.414, p=0.005). Sex, BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profile chemistries, GHb, and alcohol habits did not show significant association with CCIMT when included in the model.

Conclusion: The decline of DHEA-S is negatively associated with CCIMT in both sexes, implicating a possible atheroprotective role of DHEA-S in patients with type 2 DM.