Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in Turkish obese patients

Purpose Obesity is well known to be linked to higher morbidity and mortality. Elevated plasma levels of free dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are associated with reduced obesity and more limited accumulation of abdominal body fat. In contrast, the relationship between the DHEA sulfate ester (DHEAS) and adiposity is inconsistent and contradictory. Methods The aim of this study was to compare DHEAS levels in obese Turkish individuals, 37 men and 246 women. A variety of fatness, hormone, and blood parameters were measured. Results Statistically significant differences were found between male and female individuals with respect to weight, waist circumference, fat %, insulin, and DHEAS levels. Conclusions We found that in the Turkish population, while a correlation between obesity parameters and DHEAS levels exists in both female and male individuals, DHEAS levels are significantly higher in obese male individuals than in obese female individuals.