Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Ji Young Kim1, Seo Eun Hwang1, JAE MOON YUN1, Be Long Cho1, JIN HO PARK1
1Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital
Objective:
This study investigated the association between thyroid function and cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD) in neurologically asymptomatic adults.
Background:
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has the potential to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and is also known to increase the risk of stroke. Some studies have suggested a possible association between SCH and the presence of SVD. However, few studies have controlled for related factors in this context.
Design/Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 2,960 adults with normal free T4 serum levels who underwent screening health checkups, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at the Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center. Possible clinical risk factors for SVD, anthropometric parameters and clinical information were obtained from a structured questionnaire, measurements, and blood samples in a fasting state of at least 12-hours overnight. The presence of silent lacunar infarct (SLI), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and the volume of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) were assessed through axial MRI. 

Logistic regression analysis was performed for SLI and CMBs, and linear regression was used for WMH after square-root transformation. Potential covariates such as age, sex, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, waist circumference, and smoking status were adjusted for in the analysis.

Results:

Among the total study participants (mean age 56.4 ± 9.5; 1,632 men), SLI and CMBs were evident in 218 (7.4%) and 122 (4.1%) subjects, respectively. The mean volume of WMH was 2.9 ± 7.0 mm³. After adjustment, SCH was not significantly associated with the presence of SLI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 2.53, p=0.573), CMBs (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.59, p=0.881), and the volume of WMH (aOR 0.19, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.040, p=0.091).

Conclusions:
SCH was not a significant independent risk factor for SLI, CMBs, and the volume of WMH in neurologically healthy adults.
10.1212/WNL.0000000000210442
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.