Subclinical Hypothyroidism Is Associated With Coronary Artery Disease in Older Persons

BACKGROUND: We report the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in older persons. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and its association with dyslipidemia and with CAD in 170 women and 110 men, mean age 75 +/- 9 years, in an academic nursing home. RESULTS: Of 280 persons, 18 (6%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, 18 (6%) had treated clinical hypothyroidism, 13 (5%) had subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 231 (83%) were euthyroid. Dyslipidemia occurred in 15 of 18 persons (83%) with subclinical hypothyroidism, in nine of 18 persons (50%) treated for hypothyroidism, in six of 13 persons (46%) with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and in 128 of 231 euthyroid persons (55%) (p <.025 comparing subclinical hypothyroidism with euthyroidism and p <.005 comparing subclinical hypothyroidism with treated hypothyroidism and with subclinical hyperthyroidism). CAD was present in 10 of 18 persons (56%) with subclinical hypothyroidism, in nine of 18 persons (50%) with treated hypothyroidism, in 5 of 13 persons (38%) with subclinical hyperthyroidism, and in 38 of 231 euthyroid persons (16%) (p <.001 comparing subclinical hypothyroidism with euthyroidism; p <.005 comparing treated hypothyroidism with euthyroidism; and p <.05 comparing subclinical hyperthyroidism with euthyroidism). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and a high prevalence of CAD.