Correlation of subclinical hypothyroidism with carotid intima media thickness in Chinese population

doi:10.16150/j.1671-2870.2018.04.017

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Studies showed that subclinical hypothyroidism(SCH) was associated with an elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.This community-based cross-section study aimed to investigate the correlation of SCH and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) with carotid intima media thickness(CIMT). Methods: A total of 6 256 Chinese adults (aged≥40 years) with normal thyroid hormone level were enrolled, and standard questionnaire was performed as well as the measurement of anthropometric data and biochemical evaluation. Serum free triiodothyronine(FT₃), free thyroxine (FT₄), and TSH were determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay, while CIMT was measured by a high-resolution B-mode tomographic ultrasound system. Subjects with TSH>4.94 μIU/L and normal FT₄ level were diagnosed as SCH and the others served as controls. Correlations of SCH and TSH level with CIMT were analyzed. Results: There were 458 cases of SCH, 5 798 cases with normal thyroid function, and 2 082 subjects having elevated CIMT. Compared with subjects with normal thyroid function,those with SCH had thicker CIMT [(0.73±0.007) mm vs(0.71±0.001) mm, P=0.003]. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Log₁₀-TSH was positively correlated with CIMT (β=0.02, P= 0.01). Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that SCH was associated with risk of elevated CIMT [odds ratio (OR)=1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03-1.61, P=0.03)]. Conclusions: For middle aged and elderly population with normal thyroid function in Shanghai, prevalence of SCH was 7.3%, and subjects with elevated CIMT account for 34.6%. TSH is positively correlated with CIMT in middle-aged and elderly Chinese subjects, and SCH is the independent risk factor for elevated CIMT.

Key words: Carotid intima media thickness, Subclinical hypothyroidism, Thyroid stimulating hormone

CLC Number:

R587.1

XUAN Liping, HOU Yanan, PENG Kui, ZHAO Zhiyun, LI Mian, CHEN Yuhong, DAI Meng, XU Min, BI Yufang, WANG Weiqing, ZHANG Di, XU Jiji. Correlation of subclinical hypothyroidism with carotid intima media thickness in Chinese population[J]. Journal of Diagnostics Concepts & Practice, 2018, 17(04): 444-448.

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