Influence of subclinical hypothyroidism on cardiovascular disease risk in geriatric population: A cross-sectional study

Background: Changes in thyroid function are common in geriatric population. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration increases in healthy elderly individual, whereas total and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations remain unchanged presenting like subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Thyroid hormones influence the normal functioning of heart and vascular physiology. Changes in cardiac function and lipid parameters due to alteration in thyroid function could predispose the elderly population to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 75 apparently healthy elderly patients who were grouped as SCH (n = 30) or euthyroid (ET) (n = 45) based on their thyroid profile. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was evaluated by immunoturbidimetric method. The laboratory data of thyroid profile and lipid profile were collected, and the demographic features of the patients were noted from the case sheet. CVD risk score was calculated using Framingham 10-year CVD risk calculator (Atherosclerotic-CVD). Results: There was no significant difference in age between cases and controls. Body mass index was found to be elevated in SCH. T4 was found to be slightly higher in the cases when compared to that of controls. The median value of TSH was found to be higher in patients with SCH. CVD risk score increased significantly in SCH group. A significant positive correlation was found between the hsCRP and CVD risk in subclinical hypothyroid as well as in ET group. A significant negative correlation was found between TSH and CVD risk scores in ET patients. Conclusion: SCH is associated with an increased risk of CVD risk among the older adults with an elevated level of TSH.