The correlation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and hypothyroidism - A cross-sectional study

In India, the prevalence of hypothyroidism is roughly 11%, substantially more significant than the 2%-4.6% seen in Western nations. The aim was to investigate high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a prognostic marker in hypothyroid patients and evaluate the implications of elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.

This study included 151 patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. All patients underwent measurement of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) by automated clinical chemistry analyzers and erythrocyte sedimentation ratio (ESR). Data was analyzed using MS Excel and Epi Info software (OpenEpi version 3.01). Appropriate statistical tests were employed to evaluate statistical significance as needed.

The regression model explains 38% of the variability in Hs CRP levels (R² =0.38). The Akaike Information Criterion is 1399, the Bayesian Information Criterion is 1441, and the model is statistically significant with an F-statistic of 7.19 and a P value < 0.001, demonstrating that the predictors combined have a meaningful impact on Hs CRP levels. There was minimal multicollinearity among Serum TSH (VIF = 1.1, Tolerance = 0.906), ESR (VIF = 1.1, Tolerance = 0.911), and Duration of Treatment (VIF = 1.0, Tolerance = 0.996), confirming that the estimates of their effects on Hs-CRP levels are reliable.

The regression analysis confirms the model's validity by demonstrating that the predictors significantly impact Hs CRP levels. Overall, current data support the use of Hs CRP as an important measure for assessing inflammatory status and cardiovascular risk in hypothyroid individuals.