Abstract
Background Thyroid disorders may decrease the threshold for developing myopathy. Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is a common form of thyroid dysfunction in critically ill patients who are prone to the development of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW). We therefore tested the hypothesis that patients with abnormalities in thyroid function are at a higher risk of developing ICUAW. Methods We assessed blood samples from patients admitted to the ICU for ≥7 days for thyroid functions. Patients were classified into 4 categories (euthyroid, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, and NTIS). Patients were then evaluated daily for ICUAW development. Patients with ICUAW were considered as cases, whereas patients who did not develop ICUAW served as controls. We compared demographic and clinical variables, such as APACHE II score; length of ICU stay; free T3 (FT3), free T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels; incidence of the four categories of thyroid function; and other risk factors for ICUAW. Logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors for ICUAW. Results This case-control study included 114 patients: 57 cases (ICUAW) and 57 controls. FT3 levels were significantly lower in the cases (2.13 ± 0.96 mU/L) than in controls (2.69 ± 1.07 mU/L; P=0.004). There were no significant differences between cases and controls regarding the incidence of all categories of thyroid function. In univariate analysis, five independent variables had P < 0.25 (sepsis, vasopressors, mechanical ventilation duration, NTIS, and FT3 levels). Among these variables, multiple regression showed that only FT3 level (CI = 0.157–0.82, P=0.015) was an independent risk factor. Conclusion The study revealed an inverse association between ICUAW incidence and FT3 levels.
Highlights
Intensive care unit- (ICU-) acquired weakness (ICUAW) refers to muscle weakness that develops as a result of critical illness
(iv) Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS): normal or low TSH levels in addition to low free T3 (FT3) ± low FT4 levels is categorisation of thyroid dysfunction was based on data published in a previous study [11], which required both FT3 and FT4 levels to be either low or high to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively
Comparisons were performed between groups with regard to demographics; APACHE II score; length of ICU stay before the diagnosis of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) or end of ICU stay; FT3, FT4, and TSH levels; and the incidence of the four categories of thyroid function as well as other risk factors for ICUAW
Summary
Association between Thyroid Dysfunction and Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness: A Case-Control Study. Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is a common form of thyroid dysfunction in critically ill patients who are prone to the development of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW). We tested the hypothesis that patients with abnormalities in thyroid function are at a higher risk of developing ICUAW. Five independent variables had P < 0.25 (sepsis, vasopressors, mechanical ventilation duration, NTIS, and FT3 levels). Among these variables, multiple regression showed that only FT3 level (CI 0.157–0.82, P 0.015) was an independent risk factor. Conclusion. e study revealed an inverse association between ICUAW incidence and FT3 levels
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