Prospective associations of androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin with 12-month, lifetime and incident anxiety and depressive disorders in men and women from the general population

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Eva Asselmann - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, Humboldt University of Berlin, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Hanna Kische - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Robin Haring - , University of Greifswald, Monash University (Author)
  • Johannes Hertel - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Carsten Oliver Schmidt - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Matthias Nauck - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Katja Beesdo-Baum - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Hans Jörgen Grabe - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Christiane Pané-Farré - , University of Greifswald (Author)

Abstract

Background: Findings on associations of androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with anxiety and depressive disorders in the general population remain inconclusive. Methods: We used data of n = 993 men and n = 980 women from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP, a prospective-longitudinal general population study from northeastern Germany). Immunoassay-measured serum concentrations of total testosterone, androstenedione and SHBG were assessed when participants were aged 20–80. 12-month, lifetime and incident DSM-IV anxiety and depressive disorders were assessed with the DIA-X/M-CIDI at 10-year follow-up, when participants were aged 29–89. Logistic regressions were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, waist circumference, hypertension and oral contraceptive use (women only) at baseline and follow-up interval. Results: In men and women, androgens and SHBG were not associated significantly with incident anxiety and depressive disorders. In men, higher total testosterone predicted any 12-month (OR = 1.46) and lifetime (OR = 1.34) anxiety disorder, lifetime social phobia (OR = 2.15), and 12-month (OR = 1.48) and lifetime (OR = 1.39) specific phobia, but neither 12-month nor lifetime depression. Moreover, androstenedione in men interacted with age in predicting lifetime anxiety disorders (OR = 0.98): Higher androstenedione more strongly predicted lifetime anxiety in younger vs. older men. These findings, however, did not survive correction for multiple testing. In women, androgens and SHBG were not associated significantly with 12-month and lifetime anxiety and depressive disorders. Limitations: The follow-up period was relatively long and other factors might have affected the examined associations. Conclusions: Higher serum total testosterone in men and androstenedione in younger men may relate to an increased risk of anxiety disorders.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)905-911
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume245
Early online date9 Nov 2018
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 30699875
ORCID /0000-0002-9687-5527/work/142235292

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Androgens, Anxiety, Cohort, Depression, Sex hormones, Testosterone

Library keywords