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Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may have an increased risk of coronary heart disease
The background of the study. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (high serum thyrotropin, normal free thyroxine) may have high serum concentrations of cholesterol and an increased thickness of the carotid arteries, changes associated with an increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. In this study, published studies on the incidence of coronary heart disease in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were identified and a summary analysis was done to determine whether their risk of coronary heart disease is increased.
How the study was done. The literature was reviewed to identify articles describing studies of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism that included estimates of the risk of coronary heart disease or cardiovascular mortality in the patients and normal subjects.
The results of the study. Fourteen studies containing data on the risk of coronary heart disease or cardiovascular mortality in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were identified. Most included both women and men, and most were limited to older subjects; the number of subjects varied from 194 to 2592 (total, 10,540). There were a total of 1362 cardiovascular events, including angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery procedures, and death from coronary heart disease.
The risk of coronary heart disease in the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism was slightly increased, as compared with normal subjects (odds ratio, 1.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.1).
The conclusions of the study. Based on the cumulative data from 14 studies, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
The original article. Rodondi N, Aujesky D, Vittinghoff E, Cornuz J, Bauer DC. Subclinical hypothyroidism and the risk of coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Am J Med 2006;119:541-51.
Next Article: Hypothyroidism in patients with adrenal insufficiency may disappear with adrenal hormone therapy |
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | November 2006 Thyroid Digest |
