title: Subclinical hypothyroidism and risk to carotid atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with carotid atherosclerosis, as well as dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 69 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed SCH, and 30 matched healthy controls. Body mass index (BMI), TSH, fT4, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOabs), lipids, blood pressure, mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were determined in all participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean values of CIMT, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio were significantly different in SCH patients versus matched controls. Linear multiple regression analysis demonstrated that TSH, diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides were independent predictors of mean CIMT, fT4 for maximum CIMT; and that TSH, fT4, age, and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio were independent predictors of the presence of carotid plaques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data revealed that SCH is associated with increase in CIMT and presence of carotid plaques, independent of classical risk factors for atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University. valentina.velkoska@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Velkoska Nakova
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Valentina
authors.forename: Bosevski
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marijan
authors.forename: Dimitrovski
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chedo
authors.forename: Krstevska
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Branka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging