title: The Association between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is considered to be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is also closely related to cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SH is associated with higher EAT thickness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one consecutive patients with SH and 51 healthy control subjects were prospectively enrolled into this trial. Thyroid hormone levels, lipid parameters, body mass index, waist and neck circumference, and EAT thickness measured by echocardiography were recorded in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean EAT thickness was increased in the SH group compared to the control group (6.7±1.4 mm vs. 4.7±1.2 mm, p<0.001). EAT thickness was shown to be correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone level (r=0.303, p=0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that EAT thickness was independently associated with SH {odds ratio (OR): 3.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.92-7.78, p<0.001; OR: 3.80, 95% CI: 2.18-6.62, p<0.001}.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is increased in patients with SH compared to control subjects, and this increase in EAT thickness may be associated with the potential cardiovascular adverse effects of SH.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belen
authors.affiliation: Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aleks
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Değirmencioğlu
authors.affiliation: Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ertuğrul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zencirci
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih Fahri
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Tipi
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.affiliation: Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gültekin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karakuş
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Helvacı
authors.affiliation: Dr. Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aycan Esen
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Zencirci
authors.affiliation: Ahi Evren Chest and Cardiovascular Surgery Education and Research Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ezgi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalaycıoğlu
keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Echocardiography; Epicardium; Hypothyroidism; Visceral adipose tissue