Abstract
Testosterone deficiency seriously affects male reproductive function, growth and development, and quality of life. There is a certain association between inflammation and testosterone. PIV, a novel immune-inflammatory biomarker, has emerged. However, little is known about the relationship between PIV and serum testosterone. This study aims to investigate the relationship between PIV and serum testosterone. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 7389 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2016. Serum total testosterone levels were measured using precise isotope dilution liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. PIV was calculated as (neutrophil count × monocyte count × platelet count)/lymphocyte count. Weighted t tests or chi-square tests were utilized to analyze the basic characteristics of the population. Weighted logistic regression analysis, smooth-fit curves, threshold effects, and subgroup analysis were conducted to investigate the correlation between the PIV and testosterone deficiency. Using PIV Quartile 1 as the reference, in the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for Quartile 2 to Quartile 4 participants were 1.14 (0.93, 1.40), 1.28 (0.99, 1.65), and 1.51 (1.18, 1.95), respectively (P for trend < 0.001), with participants in the highest quartile of PIV having a 51% increased risk of testosterone deficiency compared to those in the lowest quartile of PIV. Smooth-fit curves and threshold effect analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between PIV and testosterone deficiency, with a turning point at 565.89. The subgroup analysis results showed that, except for obesity, there was no statistically significant difference in the relationship between PIV and testosterone deficiency among different subgroups (P > 0.05). Our study results indicate a positive correlation between PIV and the risk of testosterone deficiency. This suggests that PIV may serve as a potential indicator for testosterone deficiency.