Metabolic syndrome and risk of subclinical hypothyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lei Zhong, Shuo Liu, Yao Yang, Tong Xie, Jifeng Liu, Huahui Zhao, Guang Tan

Journal: Frontiers in endocrinology 2024;15():1399236

PMID: 38982986

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Plain Language Summary

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a pathological state of a variety of metabolic disorders. Obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia are among the metabolic risk factors that can occur together to form MetS. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a metabolic disease that has no obvious clinical symptoms and signs, and the thyroid hormone level is normal and the thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood is elevated. The primary aim of this study was to systematically review and analyse the association between MetS and the incidence of SCH. This research is a systematic review and meta-analysis, synthesising data from multiple observational studies that examined the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Results showed that MetS would increase the risk of developing SCH. However, there was no significant association between the individual components of MetS and the risk of SCH. Authors concluded that patients with MetS were found to be associated with an increased incidence of SCH. However, there was no significant association between the five components of MetS and the risk of SCH.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common endocrine subclinical disorder, the main adverse consequences of which are the development of clinical hypothyroidism and the promotion of ischemic heart disease. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of metabolic problems. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between MetS and SCH.

METHODS

Suitable publications were identified using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The meta-analysis included only studies in English that reported odds ratio (OR) data for MetS and SCH. Two researchers combined data using a random-effects model. OR and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the results.

RESULTS

MetS was associated with an elevated risk of developing SCH (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.44-4.55). However, the individual components of MetS were not associated with the risk of SCH. Subgroup analysis revealed that different definitions of MetS had varying effects on SCH. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that our results were robust.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis indicates that patients with MetS have an increased risk of SCH, while there is no significant association between the five individual components of MetS and the risk of SCH.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023454415.

Address: Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.

DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1399236