FEATURES OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
• Thyroid dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a potential comorbidity affecting cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of thyroid dysfunction in patients with atrial fibrillation.
• To determine the impact of thyroid disorders on AF severity, type, form, and duration.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 134 AF patients using clinical assessments, ECG, echocardiography, thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid hormone tests (TSH, free T3, free T4, anti-TPO).
• Classified patients based on thyroid function, structure, and autoimmune status.

Main Results:

• 38.1% of AF patients exhibited thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or pseudo-dysthyroidism).
• Hypothyroidism correlated with more severe AF symptoms (EHRA class IV) but did not significantly alter AF type, form, or duration.
• Hyperthyroidism showed no significant impact on AF characteristics but trended towards increased symptom severity (EHRA III-IV).
• Pseudo-dysthyroidism, secondary to comorbidities, requires careful consideration to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, may exacerbate AF symptom severity.
• Comprehensive thyroid evaluation is recommended for all AF patients to identify and manage thyroid disorders effectively.
• Distinguishing true thyroid dysfunction from pseudo-dysthyroidism is crucial for appropriate patient management.