Relationship between thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Objective To investigate the changes of thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods A total of 110 stable MHD patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least three months were enrolled in the study. Serum free-T3 (FT3), free-T4 (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence．Plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected. Clinical data and biochemical indicators were collected. These patients were divided into thyroid dysfunction group and euthyroidism group. Prevalence of atherosclerosis was detected by carotid ultrasonography. The associations between the changes of thyroid function and carotid atherosclerosis were analyzed by Logistic regression model. Results Among these 110 patients, 42 (38.18%) patients had thyroid dysfunction. Hcy and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in thyroid dysfunction group than those in euthyroidism group (P＜0.05). The intima-media thickness, number of plague and arteriostenosis of carotid were higher in thyroid dysfunction group than those in euthyroidism group (P＜0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased Hcy and CRP, decreased serum FT3 were independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusions Thyroid dysfunction with low serum FT3 is frequently found in MHD patients. In MHD patients, FT3 is closely correlated to carotid atherosclerosis.