Hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

It has been suggested that subjects with thyroid autoimmunity are more frequently affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI), than the general population (Lancet ii, 155-158, 1977). Serum thyroid antibodies (microsomal and thyroglobulin) were measured in a cohort of 132 males admitted consecutively to the Coronary Unit of Clinica Medica II Univ. "La Sapienza" of Rome with AMI. In the AMI group the thyroid autoimmunity was twice as frequent as in an age matched random population (9.1 vs 17.4%), but the association was statistically weak (p less than 0.05). In the group over 60 y two cases of overt hypothyroidism were found and none in the control group. The prevalence of 2.5% is higher than that reported in previous surveys carried out in elderly populations. No differences have been demonstrated in concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A and B between patients with and without thyroid autoimmunity, although the serum cholesterol of AMI patients and those with asymptomatic thyroiditis was significantly higher than that of the general population. It is concluded that the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism are increased in AMI and migth thus contribute to development of hypercholesterolemia and/or immune mechanisms.