Effect of levothyroxine on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness in subclinical hypothyroidism patients: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) in recent studies, but the effects of levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy on C-IMT in SCH patients are still controversial.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of L-T4 therapy on endothelial function as determined by C-IMT in patients with SCH.

Methods

BeforeJuly 2016, we searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases, selecting published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and self-controlled trials for the meta-analysis.

Results

Three RCTs with 117 patients were considered appropriate for the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that L-T4 significantly decreased the development of C-IMT (weighted mean differenc

SUBMITTER: Zhao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5665330 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature