Evaluation of the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components among workers

• Authors: Maureen Cheserek , Guirong Wu , Liye Shen , Yonghui Shi , Guowei Le

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: Both hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism are associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, while data on subclinical hypothyroidism is currently limited especially in working populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components in workers; and to evaluate whether there are differences by sex and occupation. Material and Methods: A total of 1150 university employees (male - 792, female - 358) aged 30-60 years who came for an annual medical check-up were studied. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profiles, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were measured. Results: After adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI), TSH was positively associated with increased triglyceride (TG) levels (β = 0.108, p = 0.020) and FPG (β = 0.130, p = 0.006) in subclinical hypothyroid male workers. However, TSH was not associated (p > 0.05) with any component of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the euthyroid group. In females, TSH was not correlated with MS components in both euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid groups. Furthermore, comparison by occupation showed higher TSH in subclinical hypothyroid male workers employed in administration (5.23±0.52 mU/l) than those working as academics (5.12±0.52 mU/l), which resulted in elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FPG, total cholesterol, TG and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. In females, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG and FPG were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in subclinical hypothyroid administrators than those in academics. Conclusions: Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with metabolic syndrome components in male workers and not in females. Administration workers showed increased metabolic risks compared to academics. The findings suggest that the assessment of thyroid function in individuals with metabolic syndrome in the workplace may be favorable especially among men.

Keywords

EN

cardiovascular risks; metabolic syndrome; occupation; subclinical hypothyroidism; thyroid hormones; university workers

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 175-187

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Maureen Cheserek

• State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
• Molecular and Applied Nutrition Laboratory, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
• Department of Human Nutrition, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

author

Guirong Wu

• Molecular and Applied Nutrition Laboratory, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

author

Liye Shen

• Jiangnan University Hospital, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

author

Yonghui Shi

• State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
• Molecular and Applied Nutrition Laboratory, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

author

Guowei Le

• State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
• Molecular and Applied Nutrition Laboratory, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0240-5

Biblioteka Nauki

2178818