title: Thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in a large unselected population of elderly subjects in Poland - the 'PolSenior' multicentre crossover study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on the thyroid function of a randomly chosen elderly population was collected during a multicentre study performed in Poland (PolSenior) in 2007-2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  The population of 4,190 participants under study was divided into six age subgroups of > 65 to > 90 years of age and a younger group aged between 55 and 59 years. Assessment of thyroid function was based on hormonal measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentrations of both TSH and fT(4) were significantly higher in females than in males. No differences in TSH and fT(4) concentrations between different age groups were found. Thyroid dysfunction was revealed in more than 10% of participants, hypothyroidism in 7.95%, and hyperthyroidism in 2.95%. Both types of dysfunction were more prevalent in women, and in more than 80% both dysfunctions were subclinical. In 1,542 participants, concentrations of TPOAb were measured. Increased TPOAb was revealed in 19% of the cohort and the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity was higher in women and also more often found in participants with hypothyroidism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross sectional survey revealed thyroid dysfunctions in over 10% of non selected elderly population. No age related differences were found in TSH concentrations, TPOAb positivity and prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases and Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. ewa.bar-andziak@wum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bar-Andziak
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milewicz
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jędrzejuk
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arkowska
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mieszczanowicz
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krzyżanowska-Świniarska
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine