Abstract
Objective: In overt hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia occurs due to lipid metabolism changes. We think that changes in lipid metabolism may increase atherogenic changes. Since atherogenicity studies related to severe hypothyroidism are very rare in the literature, we evaluated atherogenicity-related indices in patients with severe hypothyroidism in our study.
Material and Methods: Our retrospective cross-sectional study included 100 subjects, 50 with severe hypothyroidism and 50 healthy controls. Triglyceride glucose index, triglyceride-glucose-body mass index and atherogenic indices such as the Castelli’s Risk Index (CRI), atherogenic index of plasma and atherogenic coefficient were calculated using lipid profile data. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing the lipid profile and atherogenic indexes.
Results: The mean age of the severe hypothyroidism group was 47.1±16.6 and the mean age of the control group was 49.4±6.4 years. In traditional lipid parameters, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the severe hypothyroidism group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). High-density lipoprotein was higher, although not significantly, in the severe hypothyroidism group. Triglyceride glucose index, CRI-I, CRI-II, atherogenic index of plasma and atherogenic coefficient were significantly higher in severe hypothyroidism group (p=0.001, p=0.011, p=0.019, p=0.026, p=0.011). Compared to the control group, elevated triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol rates were found to be significantly higher in the severe hypothyroidism group (p=0.004, p=0.009, p<0.001, p=0.026). High-risk CRI-I and elevated atherogenic coefficient rates were found to be significantly higher in the severe hypothyroidism group (p=0.012, p=0.003). There was a correlation between fT4 and atherogenic coefficient (r:-0.304, p:0.040), body mass index and triglyceride index (r:0.314, p: 0.002), and atherogenic index of plasma (r: 0.314, p:0.002). (r:0.250, p:0.012).
Conclusion: In severe hypothyroidism, high atherogenic indices are risk factors for cardiovascular complications. We suggest that severe hypothyroidism should be evaluated as cardiovascular disease in treatment and follow-up.