Download PDF
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2003; 111(8): 480-485
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-44707
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Adults over Age 60 Years from an Urban Community

J. J. Díez 1 , I. Molina 1 , M. T. Ibars 2
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
  • 2Center of Primary Care “V Centenario”, San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid), Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Received: September 13, 2002 First decision: January 24, 2003

Accepted: April 22, 2003

Publication Date:
09 January 2004 (online)

Also available at
   Buy Article Permissions and Reprints
Zoom Image

Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction affects a considerable portion of the elder population. The aim of the present study has been to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in adult healthy subjects over age 60 years from our population. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional study in the setting of a sanitary area in an urban community in Madrid (Spain). Serum concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were determined by an electrochemiluminescency assay in all participants after antecubital venous sampling. A second examination, including the measurement of triiodothyronine and thyroid autoantibodies, was performed in subjects with abnormal results. A total of 127 women and 167 men, aged 60 to 84 years, were studied. We identified 6 subjects (all women) with hypothyroidism (2.04 %) and 19 (6 women, 13 men) with hyperthyroidism (6.46 %, 95 %CI 3.65 - 9.27 %). There were 3 cases (1.02 %) of subclinical and 3 cases (1.02 %) of overt hypothyroidism. In the hyperthyroid group only one patient (0.34 %) showed overt hyperthyroidism. TSH test did not detect erroneously any case of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, although one patient with hyperthyroidism was not diagnosed by this test. FT4 test detected erroneously two cases of hypothyroidism; however, it was the only way to detect the patient with overt hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, in our population over age 60 years the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 2.04 % and that of hyperthyroidism 6.46 % (95 %CI 3.65 - 9.27 %). The total prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was, therefore, 8.50 % (95 %CI 5.31 - 11.69). Our data suggest that TSH test is probably enough to screen for thyroid dysfunction in adults over age 60 years.

Key words

Hypothyroidism - hyperthyroidism - prevalence - aging