Relationship between thyroid status and survival rates in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction is a relatively common and treatable disease. The aims of the study included investigating the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in our unit, following them up for 8 years and assessing the impact of thyroid dysfunction on their long-term outcome.

Thyroid dysfunction is common among patients presenting with ACS in our unit. Forty percent (n=36) of those included had abnormal thyroid function tests at presentation with ACS, with the most common condition being subclinical hypothyroidism. The mean age of all patients was 62.3 years and there was no difference between males and females. There was no correlation between age and TSH and age and T4 levels.

Forty two percent (n=37) died by the end of the observation period. A Kaplan-Meier curve was performed to check for any differences in survival across thyroid dysfunction categories. We report shorter survival times for patients who are euthyroid at presentation with an ACS.