Effect of Thyroxin Treatment on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Reduction in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH) : a Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

• Published in: Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis 2017, Vol.24 (7), p.643-659
• Main Authors: Muhammad Aziz, Yugandhar Kandimalla, Archana Machavarapu, Anshul Saxena, Sankalp Das, Adnan Younus, Michelle Nguyen, Rehan Malik, Dixitha Anugula, Muhammad A. Latif, Choudhry Humayun, Idrees M. Khan, Ali Adus, Aisha Rasool, Emir Veledar, Khurram Nasir
• Format: Article
• Language: Japanese
• ISSN: 1340-3478

Aim: Research shows that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is related to an increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is controversial whether or not SCH should be treated to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether SCH is associated with an increase in CIMT as compared to Euthyroidism (EU) and whether thyroxin (T4) treatment in SCH can reverse the change in CIMT. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted an extensive database research up to December 2016. A total of 12 clinical trials discussed the effect of Thyroxin on CIMT values at pre- and post-treatment in subjects with SCH. Results: CIMT was significantly higher among SCH (n=280) as compared to EU controls (n=263) at baseline; the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of CIMT was 0.44 mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14, 0.74], p=0.004; I2=65%. After treatment with thyroxin in subjects with SCH (n=314), there was a statistically significant decrease in CIMT from pre- to post-treatment; the pooled WMD of CIMT decrease was [WMD -0.32; 95% CI (-0.47, -0.16), p=