Hipotiroidismo subclínico en una muestra oportunista de la población de Castilla y León / Prevalence and clinical characteristics of subclinical hypothyroidism in an opportunistic sample in the population of Castile-León (Spain)

Objetivo: Describir la distribución de los valores de la hormona estimulante del tiroides (TSH) y estimar la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo subclínico en la población adulta de Castilla y León. Material y método: Estudio observacional en 45 consultas de medicina de familia de Castilla y León seleccionadas de manera oportunista. Se determinó la TSH en sueros, recogidos por cualquier motivo, de personas ≥35 años de edad. Se realizó análisis de confirmación, incluyendo la tiroxina libre y los anticuerpos antitiroperoxidasa. Resultados: Se realizaron 3957 análisis. El 63,4% eran mujeres. La edad media fue de 61,5 años. La mediana de los valores de TSH fue de 2,3 ¿UI/mL (2, ¿UI/mL en mujeres y 2,1 ¿UI/mL en hombres), con tendencia ascendente con la edad. Los valores de TSH son mayores en los hipotiroidismos subclínicos desconocidos o sin tratamiento que en los tratados. Los valores más bajos se observan en los sujetos eutiroideos. La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo subclínico fue del 9,2% (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 8,3-10,2); en las mujeres fue el triple que en los hombres (12,4% frente a 3,7%) y aumenta con la edad, con un máximo del 16,9% en las mujeres de 45 a 64 años. Conclusiones: La prevalencia estimada de hipotiroidismo subclínico es alta, en los límites superiores reflejados en la literatura. La posibilidad de progresión a hipotiroidismo manifiesto, así como la asociación con diversas enfermedades y factores de riesgo, aconsejan una gestión adecuada de su diagnóstico y tratamiento (AU)

Objective: To describe the distribution of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values and to estimate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the adult population of Castile and León (Spain). Method: An observational study was conducted in an opportunistic sample of 45 primary care centers in Castile and León. TSH was determined in people aged ≥35 years that attended a primary care physician and had a blood test for any reason. Confirmatory analysis included free thyroxine and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody determination. Results: A total of 3957 analyses were carried out, 63% in women. The mean age was 61.5 years. The median TSH value was 2.3 ¿IU/mL (2.5 ¿IU/mL in women and 2.1 ¿IU/mL in men), with a rising trend with age. TSH values were higher in undiagnosed or untreated subclinical hypothyroidism than in patients under treatment. The lowest levels were found in euthyroidism. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 9.2% (95%CI: 8.3-10.2), and hypothyroidism was three times higher in women than in men (12.4% versus 3.7%). Hypothyroidism increased with age, reaching a peak of 16.9% in women aged 45 to 64 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in our sample was high and in the upper limits of values found in previous studies. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important because of the risk of progression to hypothyroidism and the association with multiple diseases and other risk factors (AU)

[Prevalence and clinical characteristics of subclinical hypothyroidism in an opportunistic sample in the population of Castile-León (Spain)]. / Hipotiroidismo subclínico en una muestra oportunista de la población de Castilla y León.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values and to estimate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the adult population of Castile and León (Spain). METHOD: An observational study was conducted in an opportunistic sample of 45 primary care centers in Castile and León. TSH was determined in people aged ≥35 years that attended a primary care physician and had a blood test for any reason. Confirmatory analysis included free thyroxine and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody determination. RESULTS: A total of 3957 analyses were carried out, 63% in women. The mean age was 61.5 years. The median TSH value was 2.3 µIU/mL (2.5 µIU/mL in women and 2.1 µIU/mL in men), with a rising trend with age. TSH values were higher in undiagnosed or untreated subclinical hypothyroidism than in patients under treatment. The lowest levels were found in euthyroidism. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 9.2% (95%CI: 8.3-10.2), and hypothyroidism was three times higher in women than in men (12.4% versus 3.7%). Hypothyroidism increased with age, reaching a peak of 16.9% in women aged 45 to 64 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in our sample was high and in the upper limits of values found in previous studies. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important because of the risk of progression to hypothyroidism and the association with multiple diseases and other risk factors.