Effect of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone on Prognosis of Elderly Angina Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It was not established whether a normal range of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) influences the presence and outcome of coronary atherosclerosis. We evaluated that the effect of TSH level on prognosis of elderly angina patients who have normal thyroid function. METHODS: We studied 166 angina patients (70.8+/-4.02 years, male 43.4%) who underwent elective coronary angiography. TSH, free thyroxine, serum lipid levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured before coronary angiography. According to TSH level, the patients divided into two groups; patients with high level of TSH (> or =2.5 microIU/mL) and low level of TSH (<2.5 microIU/mL). Laboratory findings and 1 year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients with high TSH level (p=0.048). A significant correlation was observed between the levels of TSH and triglyceride level and creatinine level (r=0.704 and 0.512, respectively, p<0.05). MACE occurred in 5.1% of patients with higher TSH and 16.7% of patients with lower TSH (p=0.034). The multivariate analysis revealed that creatinine (OR 5.33, p=0.012) and TSH (OR 1.46, p=0.042) were independent predictors for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of serum TSH is associated with poor outcome in elderly angina patients with normal range of thyroid function.