3.2 Carotid intima-media thickness at baseline
The carotid intima-media thickness of the RCCA and LCCA was significantly different in the SCH and OH groups when compared to HC. (RCCA [mm]: 0.486±0.106, 0.512±0.124 and 0.413±0.075 in SCH, OH and HC, respectively. LCCA [mm]: 0.511±0.144, 0.500±0.096 and 0.427±0.090 in SCH, OH and HC, respectively. RCCA: SCH vs HC p=0.01, OH vs HC p=0.01. LCCA: SCH vs HC p=0.03, OH vs HC p=0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the intima-media between the groups with hypothyroidism (Table 2).
The SCH group included 13 patients with TSH <10 µIU/ml and five patients with TSH >10 µIU/ml. There was no significant difference between the carotid intima-media thickness in relation to the TSH level (RCCA [mm]: 0.496±0.113 and 0.440±0.022 in TSH less and greater than 10 µIU/ml, respectively. LCCA [mm]: 0.486±0.107 and 0.574±0.096 in TSH less or greater than 10 µIU/ml, respectively).
In the linear regression analysis, a weak positive correlation was found between carotid intima-media thickness and the anti-TPO level (p=0.025, r2=0.123). No correlation was found between carotid intima-media thickness and age, BMI, waist circumference, WHR, systolic and diastolic BP, anti-TPO, fasting glycemia, and lipid panel. Even though glucose and total cholesterol showed a significant difference among groups, no correlation was found with intima-media thickness.