Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Overt/subclinic hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to be associated with cardiovascular risks. There have been no studies evaluating the relationship between nodule presence and arterial stiffness in individuals with euthyroid nodular goitre. Our aim in this study is to demonstrate whether nodule presence and nodule stiffness affect arterial stiffness in individuals with euthyroid nodular goitre by using pulse wave analysis (PWA).

Materials and methods: In our study, 50 patients with eutyhroid nodular goitre and 50 healthy volunteers were included. All participants were evaluated by B-mod thyroid ultrasonography (USG) and the individuals in the nodular goiter group were also performed strain elastography (SE) by one experienced radiologist. Strain indices of nodules classified according to Rago scoring system were calculated. As well as waist and hip circumference, insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid parameters, free T3(sT3), free T4(sT4), TSH, anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) levels were measured. The levels of insulin resistance calculated by homeostasis model assessment-IR(HOMA-IR) were evaluated. Evaluation of arterial stiffness was performed with the Mobile-O-Graph 24h PWA device.

Results: When comparing two groups with respect to data of PWA, pulse wave velocity was found to be statistically significantly higher in the group with nodular goitre (P<0,001). Other data of PWA were similar among the groups. There was no difference in HOMA-IR and insulin levels between the two groups. FPG levels were higher in the group with nodular goitre (P=0,03). There was no correlation between HOMA-IR and thyroid volume, nodule volume, nodule number (P>0,05). Also, correlation was not seen between HOMA-IR and strain index and data of PWA.

Conclusion: Detection of high levels of pulse wave velocity and fasting plasma glucose in patients with nodular goitre suggests that individuals with euthyroid nodular goitre should be followed closely for cardiovascular and metabolic risks.

Keywords: euthyroid nodular goitre, insulin resistance, strain index, pulse wave velocity