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Thyroid Function and Dysfunction in Relation to 16 Cardiovascular Diseases

Susanna C Larsson1,2, Elias Allara3, Amy M Mason3

  • 1Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden (S.C.L., K.M.).

Circulation. Genomic and Precision Medicine
|February 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Subclinical thyroid dysfunction, indicated by low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, is causally linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. This genetic study found no association with other cardiovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Subclinical thyroid dysfunction involves abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with normal free thyroxine in asymptomatic individuals.
  • It is associated with altered cardiac hemodynamics.
  • Thyroid dysfunction's role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal relationship between thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular disease (CVD) using Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with thyroid function from large genome-wide association meta-analyses.
  • Obtained genetic association data for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke from meta-analyses and the UK Biobank.

Main Results:

  • Genetically predicted lower TSH levels and hyperthyroidism showed a significant association with atrial fibrillation (P<7.8×10⁻⁴).
  • A 1 SD decrease in TSH was associated with increased atrial fibrillation odds (OR=1.15).
  • No significant associations were found between genetically predicted free thyroxine levels and any CVDs.

Conclusions:

  • This Mendelian randomization study provides evidence for a causal link between lower TSH levels (mild hyperthyroidism) and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
  • The study did not find a causal association with other cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationcardiovascular diseasehormoneshyperthyroidismthyrotropin

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