title: Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There remains conflicting opinions regarding the relationship between the risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH), and there are also varying study results. Recent growing evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may play a key role in the pathogenesis and development of coronary artery disease. The effects of SH on echocardiographic EAT is not currently known. The aim of this present study was to measure echocardiographic EAT with anthropometric and clinical parameters in patients with SH.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a prospective and case-controlled study. Body fat ratio, echocardiographic EAT measurements, body mass index, and the waist circumference of patients were measured for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epicardial adipose tissue was measured to be 3.83±1.04 mm for patients with SH, while it was measured to be 2.81±0.74 mm in the control group, and there was a significant difference detected between two groups (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study significantly increased EAT in patients with SH was detected.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology Department of Internal Medicine Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty Aydin, Turkey - drmunubol@yahoo.com.tr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unubol
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Eryilmaz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guney
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akgullu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kurt Omurlu
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D055105:Waist Circumference