Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Is Increased in Hypertensive Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Int J Endocrinol. 2016:2016:4802720. doi: 10.1155/2016/4802720. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate alteration in serum TSH in hypertensives with OSA and its relation with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods. 517 hypertensives were cross-sectionally studied. OSA was determined by polysomnography and thyroid function by standard methods. Results. OSA was diagnosed in 373 hypertensives (72.15%). Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly higher in OSA hypertensives than in non-OSA ones (15.0% versus 6.9%, P = 0.014). Serum LnTSH in hypertensives with severe OSA was significantly higher (0.99 ± 0.81 versus 0.74 ± 0.77 μIU/mL, P < 0.05) than in those without OSA. AHI, LSaO2, ODI3, and ODI4 were independently associated with serum TSH for those aged 30-65 years. Dividing subjects into four groups as TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL, 1.0 ≤ THS ≤ 1.9 μIU/mL, 1.91 ≤ TSH < 4.5 μIU/mL, and TSH ≥ 4.5 μIU/mL, only 26.3% of OSA subjects exhibited TSH between 1.0 and 1.9 μIU/mL, significantly less than non-OSA subjects (26.3% versus 38.2%, P = 0.01). DBP and serum LDL-c elevated with TSH increasing and were only significantly higher in TSH ≥ 4.5 μIU/mL group than in 1.0 ≤ TSH ≤ 1.9 μIU/mL group (96.32 ± 14.19 versus 92.31 ± 12.86 mmHg; P = 0.040; 0.99 ± 0.60 versus 0.87 ± 0.34 mmol/L, P = 0.023). Conclusion. OSA might be a risk factor for increased TSH even within reference range in hypertensive population.