[Functional thyroid pathology in the elderly]

To describe the prevalence of functional thyroid pathology (FTP) and pathologies associated with it in an elderly population.

Descriptive, cross-sectional study.

Urban primary care centre.

Representative sample of the entire population attended that was 60 years old or over.

Demographic variables, clinical history of thyroid pathology and pathology associated with it, Body Mass Index, small tests for diagnosing depression and anxiety, the mini-mental test, electrocardiogram, determination of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and of free thyrotrophin and thyroxin if it is disturbed.

192 people were studied, 56% women, 53% between 60 and 69 and 12% over 79 years old. 10% had a history of previous FTP. Prevalence of active FTP was 13% (10.41% sub-clinical hypothyroidism, 0.52% clinical hypothyroidism, 1.56% sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, and 0.52% clinical hyperthyroidism). Prevalence of new diagnoses of FTP was 4.1% (7 with hypothyroidism and 1 with hyperthyroidism, all sub-clinical). During the study the following pathology was detected in hypothyroidism sufferers: 43% anxiety disorder, 38% depressive syndrome, 28.5% cognitive deterioration, 9.5% dementia, 26% electrocardiographic disturbances, 47.6% obesity, and 28.5% with total cholesterol > or =250 mg/dL. In hyperthyroidism, 50% with depressive syndrome, 25% with cognitive deterioration, 25% with electrocardiographic disturbances, and 50% with obesity were detected.

FTP is more prevalent among the elderly than in the population as a whole, with predominance of hypothyroidism, subclinical pathology and among women. In terms of pathology traditionally linked to thyroid malfunction, few differences were found between the population affected with FTP and those not affected. Primary care doctors are important in reducing under-diagnosis.