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BMC Endocrine Disorders
Published in: BMC Endocrine Disorders 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Is thyroid status associated with cognitive impairment in elderly patients in China?

Authors: Yao Hu, Zhi-cheng Wang, Qi-hao Guo, Wei Cheng, Yan-wen Chen

Published in: BMC Endocrine Disorders | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

The relationship between alterations in thyroid function and cognitive deficits has been investigated in several previous studies. Hypo-or hyperthyroidism and, to a lesser extent, subclinical thyroid dysfunction can negatively affect cognitive performance. However, limited data are available on the potential association of thyroid function with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the elderly Chinese population.

Methods

In the present study focusing on a population of elderly Chinese individuals ≥ 50 years of age, 77 cognitively normal controls, 64 patients with MCI, and 154 patients diagnosed with AD underwent assessment of thyroid status using thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels as variables. Cognitive function was evaluated with the aid of comprehensive neuropsychological tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Memory and Executive Screening (MES).

Results

Overall, 88.1 % of the subjects displayed normal thyroid function, 4.7 % were diagnosed with clinical hypothyroidism, 3.1 % with subclinical hypothyroidism, and 4.1 % with subclinical hyperthyroidism. After adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education years and body mass index), no association was evident between mild cognitive impairment or AD and thyroid dysfunction. However, lower serum TSH was correlated with risk of AD (odds ratio [OR]: 2.78, 95 % confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.11-6.99).

Conclusion

Neither hypothyroidism nor subclinical hyperthyroidism was associated with AD and MCI in this population-based elderly Chinese cohort. Our findings need to be confirmed in a longitudinal study.
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Metadata
Title
Is thyroid status associated with cognitive impairment in elderly patients in China?
Authors
Yao Hu
Zhi-cheng Wang
Qi-hao Guo
Wei Cheng
Yan-wen Chen
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Endocrine Disorders / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6823
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-016-0092-z

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