[Functional thyroid pathology in the elderly].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of functional thyroid pathology (FTP) and pathologies associated with it in an elderly population.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Urban primary care centre.


METHODS
Representative sample of the entire population attended that was 60 years old or over.


METHODS
Demographic variables, clinical history of thyroid pathology and pathology associated with it, Body Mass Index, small tests for diagnosing depression and anxiety, the mini-mental test, electrocardiogram, determination of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and of free thyrotrophin and thyroxin if it is disturbed.


RESULTS
192 people were studied, 56% women, 53% between 60 and 69 and 12% over 79 years old. 10% had a history of previous FTP. Prevalence of active FTP was 13% (10.41% sub-clinical hypothyroidism, 0.52% clinical hypothyroidism, 1.56% sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, and 0.52% clinical hyperthyroidism). Prevalence of new diagnoses of FTP was 4.1% (7 with hypothyroidism and 1 with hyperthyroidism, all sub-clinical). During the study the following pathology was detected in hypothyroidism sufferers: 43% anxiety disorder, 38% depressive syndrome, 28.5% cognitive deterioration, 9.5% dementia, 26% electrocardiographic disturbances, 47.6% obesity, and 28.5% with total cholesterol > or =250 mg/dL. In hyperthyroidism, 50% with depressive syndrome, 25% with cognitive deterioration, 25% with electrocardiographic disturbances, and 50% with obesity were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
FTP is more prevalent among the elderly than in the population as a whole, with predominance of hypothyroidism, subclinical pathology and among women. In terms of pathology traditionally linked to thyroid malfunction, few differences were found between the population affected with FTP and those not affected. Primary care doctors are important in reducing under-diagnosis.
Sender Palacios
M J
MJ
Unidad Docente de MFyC, Consorcio Sanitario de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. sdireccioctn@csdt
Vernet Vernet
M
M
Pérez López
S
S
Faro Colomés
M
M
Rojas Blanc
M
M
Pallisa Gabriel
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland
Enfermedad funcional tiroidea en la población de edad avanzada.