title: Serum free thyroxine levels are positively associated with arterial stiffness in the SardiNIA study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thyroid dysfunction may accelerate atherosclerosis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an early index of arterial stiffness and an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and might therefore be linked to changes in thyroid activity. We investigated the relationship between thyroid function and carotid-femoral PWV, as an index of arterial stiffness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants from the SardiNIA study. Those being treated for thyroid diseases were excluded, yielding a sample of 5875 aged 14-102.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical parameters, blood tests including serum TSH and serum FT4, and carotid-femoral PWV were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for confounders, a direct and linear association between FT4 and PWV was shown (multiple regression analysis). The model containing age, mean blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate, FT4, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia accounted for 55% of the variation in PWV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Like several other known risk factors, serum FT4 levels are associated with carotid-femoral PWV, suggesting that high FT4 levels have a detrimental effect on aortic stiffness and may contribute to ageing process of the vascular system. This finding may help to understand the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and contribute to improve prevention therapy.
authors: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors: Alessandro P
authors: AP
authors: Delitala
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Orrù
authors: Fabiana
authors: F
authors: Filigheddu
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Pilia
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Delitala
authors: Antonello
authors: A
authors: Ganau
authors: Pier Sergio
authors: PS
authors: Saba
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Decandia
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Scuteri
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Marongiu
authors: Edward G
authors: EG
authors: Lakatta
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Strait
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cucca
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine