The association of thyroid function and heart valve sclerosis. Results from a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid dysfunction is associated with detrimental cardiovascular effects. We analyzed whether thyroid status is associated with aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and mitral annular calcification (MAC) as markers of generalized atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Data of 2065 subjects (923 women and 1142 men) aged > or =45 years from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were analyzed with respect to low, medium and high TSH levels. Logistic regression models were adjusted for major confounders of atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
In women, the prevalence of AVS was the highest in those with low TSH (35.1% vs. 26.7% in medium TSH; p<0.05), while there was a higher prevalence of MAC in men with high TSH levels (9.2% vs. 5.2% in medium TSH; p<0.05). Compared with euthyroid men there was an increased adjusted odds ratio for MAC (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.12-3.89, p<0.05), for the combination of AVS and MAC (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.08-4.21, p<0.05) or for one of both (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.02-2.13, p<0.05) among men with high TSH. No such association was found in women.


CONCLUSIONS
There was an association between thyroid function and valvular sclerosis. Men with high TSH values had increased odds for AVS or MAC, and the combination of both. These findings may reflect an increased atherosclerotic state in affected subjects.
Dörr
Marcus
M
Department of Internal Medicine B, Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
Ruppert
Jörg
J
Wallaschofski
Henri
H
Felix
Stephan B
SB
Völzke
Henry
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000473:pathology; D011153:Population; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D013972:Thyrotropin