Correlation Study of Aortic Velocity Propagation, Abdominal Aortic Intima-Media Thickness, and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Patients

Abstract

Objective: To explore the correlation between epicardial fat thickness (EFT), aortic velocity propagation (AVP), and abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (AA-IMT) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). Additionally, to compare these indicators between SH patients and healthy individuals, providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Method: Clinical data from 50 SH patients (23 males and 27 females) and 50 healthy outpatient examinees (22 males and 28 females) were analyzed. The participants were selected from January 2022 to December 2023 at Loudi Central Hospital. EFT, AVP, and AA-IMT were measured, and their correlations were analyzed. Results: SH patients had significantly higher EFT and AA-IMT levels than the control group, while their AVP was significantly lower, with these differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between EFT and AVP (P < 0.001), a significant positive correlation between EFT and AAO-IMT (P < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation between AVP and AAO-IMT (P < 0.001).  Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified increased EFT, decreased AVP, and increased AAO-IMT as independent risk factors for SH patients. Conclusion: In SH patients, EFT and AAO-IMT are elevated, whereas AVP is reduced. EFT and AVP are significantly correlated with AAO-IMT. EFT and AAO-IMT can serve as reliable indicators for evaluating subclinical atherosclerosis in SH patients, providing a diagnostic basis for clinical practice.