ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between insulin resistance and thyroid pathology in obese patients, and compare the results between insulin-resistant and noninsulin-resistant patients. Subjects and methods: Obese/nondiabetic patients, aged 18-70 years, attending the outpatient endocrinology service for 2 years were consecutively included. We evaluated the patients' fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), antithyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab), and thyroid ultrasound. Results: We included 82 patients with a mean age 44.21 ± 12.67 years. The thyroid disorders encountered and their prevalences were: hypothyroidism (14.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.6-23.8%), hyperthyroidism (1.2%, 95% CI 2.0-6.6%), goiter (28.0%, 95% CI 19.5-3.6%), thyroid nodules (35.4%, 95% CI 25.9-46.2%), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (32.9%, 95% CI 23.7-43.7%). HOMA-IR correlated positively with TSH levels (r = 0.24, p = 0.028), and this correlation remained after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), serum cortisol, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), visceral fat thickness (VFT), triglycerides, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in multivariate regression analysis (b = 0.207, 95% CI, 0.09-0.385, p = 0.023). TSH levels were significantly higher in patients with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5 than in those with HOMA-IR < 2.5 (2.03 μIU/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 1.59-2.69 μIU/mL) versus 1.59 μIU/mL, IQR 0.94-2.26 μIU/mL, p = 0.023). Conclusions: The most prevalent thyroid disorder in patients attending our endocrinology clinic for investigation of obesity was thyroid nodules. One in seven patients had hypothyroidism. Our findings suggest that TSH levels correlate with insulin resistance in obese patients.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Controversy exists regarding the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA), presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaques and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at Second Internal Medicine Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. METHODS: We studied the IMT (left and right CCA and mean IMT) and T-score (lumbar spine L2-L4, femoral neck and total hip) in 100 postmenopausal women (mean age 64.5 years). The presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque and osteoporotic vertebral fractures was also noted. RESULTS: IMT in the left and right CCA and mean IMT were significantly associated with T-score measured for the lumbar spine L2-L4, femoral neck and total hip, with lower T-score, in the osteoporotic group than in the normal and osteopenic groups (P < 0.05). IMT had a significantly negative correlation with the lumbar spine T-score and femoral neck T-score; and mean IMT with lowest T-score. Mean IMT (P < 0.001), high blood pressure (P = 0.005) and osteoporotic vertebral fractures (P = 0.048) showed statistical significance regarding the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic plaque. CONCLUSIONS: In women referred for routine osteoporosis screening, the relationship between CCA, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis can be demonstrated using either cortical or trabecular BMD. Vertebral fractures may be considered to be a likelihood factor for atherosclerotic plaque development.

CONTEXTO Y OBJETIVOS: Hay controversias en cuanto a la relación entre la arterioesclerosis y la osteoporosis. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la relación entre el espesor mío-intimal (EMI) de la arteria carótida común (ACC), la presencia de placas arterioescleróticas calcificadas, y la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) evaluada a través de absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA) en mujeres posmenopáusicas. DISEÑO Y ENTORNO: Estudio transversal en la Segunda Clínica de Medicina Interna, Cluj-Napoca, Rumania. MÉTODOS: Hemos estudiado el EMI (ACC izquierda y derecha y EMI promedio) y el T-score (espina lumbar L2-L4, cuello femoral y cadera total) en 100 mujeres posmenopáusicas (edad promedia 64.5 años). Se ha observado también la presencia de las placas arterioescleróticas calcificadas y de la fractura vertebral osteoporótica. RESULTADOS: El EMI en ACC izquierda y derecha, como también el EMI promedio se ha asociado sobre todo con el T-score medido en la espina lumbar L2-L4, cuello femoral y cadera total o el valor más bajo del T-score, en el grupo osteoporótico, en comparación con el grupo normal y el osteopénico (P < 0.05). Se ha registrado una correlación significativamente negativa entre el EMI y el T-score de espina lumbar, el T-score del cuello femoral, y el EMI promedio con el T-score más bajo. El EMI promedio (P < 0.001), la alta presión (P = 0.005), y las fracturas vertebrales osteoporóticas (P = 0.048) demostraron tener una importancia estadística con respecto a la probabilidad de formación de placas arterioescleróticas. CONCLUSIONES: En el caso de las mujeres sometidas a screening rutinario para la osteoporosis, la relación entre ACC, arterioesclerosis y osteoporosis se puede demostrar utilizando sea la DMO cortical o trabecular. Las fracturas vertebrales se pueden considerar como un factor de probabilidad para el desarrollo de las placas arterioescleróticas.