The role of thyroid hormones in carotid arterial wall remodeling in women

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Maida Seferović Sarić
• Author: Miljenka-Jelena Jurašić
• Author: Hrvoje Budinčević
• Author: Milan Milošević
• Author: Bojana Kranjčec
• Author: Sanja Kovačić
• Author: Jana Leskovar
• Author: Vida Demarin
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care; Health Ecology

Abstract (english)

Introduction: Thyroid hormones affect the cardiovascular system, but the precise mechanisms of their effects on the development of atherosclerosis are not entirely clear. The relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia and carotid atherosclerosis has been widely investigated, but the findings were controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine whether female subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHypo) have increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) compared with euthyroid subjects, as well as to examine the association of SHypo, carotid atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. ----- Methods: This research included 100 women aged 30 to 70 years who were divided into two groups: the SHypo group including subjects with signs of subclinical hypothyroidism and the control group of euthyroid subjects. Carotid IMT thickness using B mode ultrasound was determined and its correlation with serum concentrations of fT4, TSH, CRP, and lipid profile including small dense LDL (sdLDL) was analysed. ----- Results: Subjects with SHypo had significantly increased carotid IMT (IMT ≥ 75th centile) in all three measured segments of the right (p <0.001) and the left (p = 0.001) carotid artery compared to the control group, with a significantly more frequent appearance of plaque (25% vs. 9%; p = 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between higher TSH and higher IMT values. Increased age, LDL cholesterol, and TSH predicted thickening of the carotid artery IMT. ----- Conclusions: It is important to screen people showing early, subclinical signs of thyroid gland dysfunction due to its impact on carotid atherosclerosis development.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Aged; Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging; Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnostic imaging; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism / complications; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Thyroid Hormones
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine
• Numbering: vol. 60, no. 1, pp. 24-33
• e-ISSN: 2501-062X
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjim-2021-0028
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:870022
• Publication: 2022-03-17
• Document URL: https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/rjim-2021-0028
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-06-02 09:01:48