Thyroid dysfunction and incident heart failure phenotypes among older adults: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (aric) study

Background/Introduction Abnormal thyroid hormone concentrations have been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and specific heart failure phenotypes is less clear. Purpose To examine the association of thyroid dysfunction with the risk of incident HF in older adults without pre-existing HF. Methods We analyzed participants enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who attended the visit 5 examination (2011–2013). Participants with previous HF history, and participants treated with amiodarone, levothyroxine, and antithyroid medication were excluded. We used Cox regression models to assess the associations between serum thyroid indices (free thyroxine [FT4], total triiodothyronine [TT3], or thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) and incident adjudicated HF with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction. Continuous associations between TT3 and outcome were further assessed via Cox model using restricted cubic spline. Results Among 3349 participants (mean age 75±5 years, 56% women, 20% black), subclinical hypothyroidism was prevalent in 12% of participants and low T3 syndrome in 3%. Those with overt hypothyroidism ( Conclusions In a contemporary biracial cohort of older adults, serum T3 level was inversely associated with incident HFpEF hospitalization. T3 administration could be considered as a potential target in future clinical trials preventing HFpEF hospitalization. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study is performed as a collaborative study supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute contracts