Correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary heart disease

Fangfang HUANG; Guosheng FU; Yunxia TANG; Xinfang CHEN; Youyong WANG

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate the correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism(SCH)and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary heart disease.

Methods:

From March 2018 to September 2019, 138 patients undergoing coronary angiography in our hospital were randomly selected and their serum thyroxine(FT4)and high-sensitivity thyroid stimulating hormone(sTSH)levels were measured.Based on the levels of FT4 and sTSH, patients were divided into the SCH group and the normal group.Combined with coronary angiography results, the correlation between the SCH and the number of coronary lesions were analyzed.

Results:

Patients in the SCH group were associated with significantly higher levels of cholesterol(TC)[(5.83±1.27)mmol/L vs.(5.02±1.22)mmol/L, t=3.746, P=0.000], triglyceride(TG)[(3.29±1.74)mmol/L vs.(2.17±1.68)mmol/L, t=3.769, P=0.000], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)[(3.81±1.02)mmol/L vs.(3.24±1.08)mmol/L, t=3.092, P=0.001], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)[(1.13±0.27)mmol/L vs.(1.02±0.25)mmol/L, t=2.4459, P=0.008]than those in the normal group.There were significant differences in sTSH levels between patients with multivessel, double vessel or single vessel disease when grouped by the number of coronary lesions, and between those with severe, moderate or mild coronary artery stenosis when grouped by disease severity(all P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that SCH, TC, and LDL-C were factors affecting the number of coronary lesions( P<0.05).

Conclusions:

SCH is an important factor that causes the occurrence and progression of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary heart disease, mainly by affecting lipid metabolism.