Objectives Metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance and overweight, are significantly linked to pre-diabetes. These are believed to impact the serum levels of sex steroid hormones. The alteration in both glucose and sex steroid hormone metabolism is an important aspect in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Studies on these associations are scarce in Africa. This research evaluated the correlation between sex steroid hormones and cardiovascular risks amongst pre-diabetic men and compared the same to other degrees of glycemia. Material and Methods It was a cross-sectional comparative research. A total of 191 adult men (75 with prediabetes (PD), 58 with diabetes, and 58 with normal glucose), who presented at the study center within the study period, were recruited. The recruitment was done by a systematic random sampling method, using interviewer-administered designed questionnaires. The mean and standard deviations, as well as numbers and percentages, were estimated for the numerical and categorical variables, respectively. The Fisher’s test was used in comparing the numerical variables, while the categorical variables were compared via the Chi-square test. The level of independent association among the dependent and independent variables was analyzed using logistic regression. The strength of these associations was tested using the odds ratio (OR) at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. The statistically significant level was considered at a p <0.05. Results The associations between the age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the glycemic levels were statistically significant. The patient with PD was more likely to be obese with a higher CVD risk. However, the BMI, WC, HC, WHR, SBP, and DBP were independent risk factors for the development of PD on the elimination of cofounders. There was age-dependent significantly lower free testosterone (FT) among PD compared to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at all BMI levels, and significantly lower total testosterone (TT) and FT values among PD compared to other groups as the WHR rises. Conclusion The association between major CVD risks and some abnormal reproductive hormones with PD shows the need to screen all men within the reproductive age group, regular re-evaluation of all identified cases, lifestyle changes aimed at weight reduction, regular exercise, healthy eating habit, and intensifying the campaign on the dangers of PD, as it is always done for diabetes. These hormone abnormalities may worsen the incidence of PD, and by extension, diabetes mellitus (DM).
Chijioke Stanley Anyigor-Ogah (Wed,) studied this question.