Aim:

To relate the levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone - sulfate’s hormone of a national representative sample of older adults with their health, disability, biomarkers, social, economic, anthropometric, and nutritional status.

Methods:

With the responses from a self-reported questionnaire of a sample of adults, the health, disability, mental and nutritional status were registered; also, serum DHEA levels were determined.

Results:

The mean DHEA values showed a progressive decrease according to age, in men the average is 70.9 ± 46.6) μg/dl, for women 38.9 ± 29.4) μg/dl. Lower values are obtained in elderly adults of better economic condition or with better educational level; with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes; with low weight or obesity and in those who consumed less than 1500 or more than 3000 per day.

Conclusions:

Differences by sex and age observed, as well as Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate distribution, are expected and correspond to the behavior described in the literature for this hormone. Adverse health events, such as reports of suffering from chronic diseases, BMI extreme values, sedentary lifestyles, disability, and depression, are associated with low mean levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.