Endocrine Abstracts

Multidimensional studies of medical aspects of ageing were performed in 6 provinces of Poland, the protocol included cross sectional analysis of thyroid function parameters.

The sample was randomly chosen and included 4,051 respondents (49.2% females).

Group consisted of 3,502 elderly subjects aged 65–90+y, divided into approximately equal six age subgroups; and 549 younger cohort, aged 55–59 y.

Thyroid function was assessed by TSH measurement (IRMA, reference range 0.2–4.5 mIU/ml.). Clinical data were not included.

Mean TSH concentration in the population was 2.55±6.7 mIU/ml; median 1.6. Gender related differences were found. TSH was higher in women than in men (2.9±8.6 vs 2.2±4.6; P<000018); median respectively:1.7 and 1.55. In 25% of the cohort TSH exceeded 2.5 mIU/ml. TSH did not differ between age subgroups.

About 11% of the population had abnormal TSH suggesting thyroid dysfunction. Among elderly subjects 7.9% were assessed as hypothyroid (10% women and 5.6% men) and 2.9% as hyperthyroid (3.5% women and 2.4% men).

In the youngest group 7.65% were hypothyroid and 1.8% hyperthyroid.

Upon the simultaneous fT4 measurements, thyroid dysfunctions were classified as subclinical in 98% hypothyroid and in about 70%. of hyperthyroid subjects. Most of cases of advanced thyroid dysfunction were found among the oldest subjects.

Conclusions: This large population study revealed thyroid dysfunction in over 10% elderly subjects. There is some possibility of misinterpretation of TSH resulting from the influence of extrathyroidal factors; yet wide reference range of TSH used in this study decreased this risk.

This study reminds the need of careful attendance to the dysfunctions in elderly patients, especially that symptomatology of thyroid disease in this age groups can be misleading.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This work was supported, however funding details unavailable.