The Relationship Between TSH And Atherosclerosis In Normal Thyroid Function Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective:In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between TSH and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients with normal thyroid function for providing basis for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods:From December 2013 to January 2016, we collected 364 type 2 diabetes patients with normal thyroid function from endocrine department of the first affiliated hospital of guangxi medical university. According to carotid artery intima-media thickness(IMT),364 patients were divided into three groups (normal IMT group, sample thick IMT group, carotid plaques group). At the same time, we also divided 364patients into three groups(Hight TSH group, Medium TSH group and Low TSH group) according to reference range of serum TSH levels. Next, we detected the difference of sex, smoking, age, medical history, blood pressure, BMI, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobins, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TSH, TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4, rates of the plaques, HCY, TG, mAlb and IMT. Finally, we explored the relationship between IMT and TSH through Bivariate and Partial correlative analyses.Results:1. The level of PPG, TC, LDL-C was significantly higher in sample thick IMT group than in normal IMT group(P<0.05). The level of age, medical history systolic pressure and HCY was significantly higher in carotid plaques group than in normal IMT group(P<0.05); The level of TC, and LDL-C was significantly less in carotid plaques group than in normal IMT group(P<0.05). The level of age, medical history and HCY was significantly higher in carotid plaques group than in sample thick IMT group(P<0.05); the level of PPG, TC and LDL-C was significantly less than in sample thick IMT group(P<0.05).2. The level of TC, TG, LDL, IMT was significantly higher in High TSH group than in Medium TSH group and Low TSH group(P<0.05).3. Pearson correlative analysis showed IMT positively correlated with age, medical history, TSH, HCY, TC, LDL-C and negatively correlated with TT3(P<0.05).4. Partial correlative analyses showed IMT positively correlated with TSH independent of age, medical history, TT3, HCY, TC and LDL-C(P<0.05).5. Analysis of multiple linear regression showed that age^ TSH were independent risk factors for IMT.Conclusion:1.along with the increase of the level of TSH, the level of TC, TG, LDL-C and IMT also increases in type 2 diabetes patients with normal thyroid function.2. The increased serum TSH level in the normal reference range can promote the development of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients with normal thyroid function. Age、TSH are independent risk factors of atherosclerosis.