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Thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in a large unselected population of elderly subjects in Poland - the ‘PolSenior’ multicentre crossover study
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Abstract
Introduction: Data on the thyroid function of a randomly chosen elderly population was collected during a multicentre study performed in Poland (PolSenior) in 2007-2010.
Material and 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 fT4 were significantly higher in females than in males. No differences in TSH and fT4 concentrations between different age groups were found. Thyroid dysfunction was revealed in more than10% 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. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (5): 346-355)
Abstract
Introduction: Data on the thyroid function of a randomly chosen elderly population was collected during a multicentre study performed in Poland (PolSenior) in 2007-2010.
Material and 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 fT4 were significantly higher in females than in males. No differences in TSH and fT4 concentrations between different age groups were found. Thyroid dysfunction was revealed in more than10% 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. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (5): 346-355)
Keywords
elderly population; thyroid dysfunctions; hypothyroidism; hyperthyroidism; thyroid hormones; thyrotropin; anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies; thyroid autoimmunity; gender differences
About this articleTitle
Thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in a large unselected population of elderly subjects in Poland - the ‘PolSenior’ multicentre crossover study
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
346-355
Published online
2012-10-31
Page views
972
Article views/downloads
2109
DOI
10.5603/ep.25145
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2012;63(5):346-355.
Keywords
elderly population
thyroid dysfunctions
hypothyroidism
hyperthyroidism
thyroid hormones
thyrotropin
anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies
thyroid autoimmunity
gender differences
Authors
Ewa Bar-Andziak
Andrzej Milewicz
Diana Jędrzejuk
Anna Arkowska
Urszula Mieszczanowicz
. Barbara Krzyżanowska-Świniarska
