The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in a pre-diabetes population and an analysis of related factors

Abstract

AbstractBackground To investigate the prevalence and related influencing factors of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in a pre-diabetes (PreDM) population.Patients and methods A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select the adult Han population in Gansu Province for investigation. General data and related biochemical indices were recorded and SPSS software was used for statistical analyses.Results This study selected 2876 patients, including 548 with SCH and 433 with PreDM. In the PreDM population, the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum phosphorus, TPOAb and TgAb in the SCH group were higher than those in the euthyroid group (P 4.20 mIU/L. Using this criterion, the prevalence of SCH in the total population of PreDM was higher than that in the NGT population (χ2 = 8.611, P 8.86 mIU/L (for individuals over age 65). However, allowing for the expected rise in TSH levels in individuals over age 65, the prevalence of SCH in the elderly over 65 years of age decreased significantly (NGT population from 27.48% to 9.16%, PreDM population from 34.18% to 6.33%, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for SCH in the PreDM population were female gender, fasting plasma glucose and TSH (all P < 0.05). Risk factors for SCH in the impaired fasting glucose (IFG) population were female gender, OGTT 2 h, TSH and TPOAb (all P < 0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of SCH in the PreDM population not considering the known physiological increase in age related TSH was relatively high and was significant in female and the IFG population. However, the effect of age on these findings needs to attract more attention.

Keywords

• Pre-diabetes
• subclinical hypothyroidism
• risk factors