Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in older patients with diabetes mellitus with poorly controlled dyslipidemia in China.

摘要

To the Editor: Atherosclerotic complications are the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Poor control of dyslipidemia is often observed in these patients1 and is considered to be a cardiovascular risk factor. It was recently found that the prevalence of uncontrolled dyslipidemia is high in Chinese patients with diabetes mellitus, particularly in women. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a state in which patients have mildly high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations with normal serum levels of free thyroxine and triiodothyroxine.2 Despite conflicting results,3 SCH is thought to increase the risk for atherosclerosis because of its association with dyslipidemia.4 Controversy still persists as to whether screening and treatment of SCH is warranted because of a lack of persuasive evidence,5'6 and the prevalence of SCH in older patients with diabetes mellitus and poorly controlled dyslipidemia in China is unknown.