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.