A STUDY OF CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS AS A MARKER OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN CLINICAL VS SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Introduction:Hypothyroidism increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which in turn increases the cardiovascular disease risk. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT)>1 mm is used as a non invasive marker of atherosclerosis. Aim:To nd the prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with clinical vs subclinical hypothyroidism using CIMT as a marker for atherosclerosis Methods: Type of study: Prospective observational study. 100 patients of clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism of age more than 12 years, were included in the study. Theyunderwent laboratory and radiological investigations (CIMT-Carotid Intima Media thickness).Data analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences. Result:54.55% of clinical hypothyroid patients had CIMT>1 mm as compared to 17.86% of subclinical hypothyroidism. Elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL in clinical hypothyroid patients were 45.46%,68.18% and 40.90% respectively, As compared to subclinical hypothyroidism which had 3.58%, 39.29%, 21.43% respectively. Markers of inammation CRP>3.0 mg/dl, ESR>30 mm and TLC>10,000 were also signicantly higher in patients with clinical as compared to subclinical hypothyroid patients.(40.91%,50% and 40.91% respectively)suggesting possibility of active atherogenesis being signicantly higher in clinical hypothyroidism as compared to subclinical hypothyroidism.