Analysis of subclinical hypothyroidism and related factors in obese population

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in obese people. Patients and Methods: A survey was conducted on adult Han Chinese residents in Gansu Province, Northwest China, and the subjects' examination data were recorded. χ2 test was used to analyze the prevalence of SCH in the obese people, and Pearson correlation analysis of TSH levels in the overweight and obese people was conducted. Logistic regression analysis model was used to analyze the risk factors for SCH in the obese people. Results: A total of 2849 individuals (1456 males and 1393 females) were included in this study, including 352 obese patients and 694 patients with SCH (294 males and 400 females).The prevalence of SCH was lower in men than in women in the obese people (23.48% vs 35.25%, P=0.019).The overall trend of SCH prevalence in overweight and obese people increases with age.TSH levels in overweight and obese people were positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and blood phosphorus.Logistic regression analysis concluded increased age, high fasting glucose (FPG), high TPOAb, high SBP, high AST, and high blood phosphorus as risk factors for SCH in overweight and obese people, and male, uric acid (UA) as protective factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of SCH in overweight and obese people is relatively high, and effective control of BMI may have a role in reducing the prevalence of SCH; the prevalence of SCH in overweight and obese people is higher in women than in men, and attention should be paid to its screening and prevention.