Thyroid Dysfunction and Its Relationship with Chronic Heart Failure Severity (Code-T0036)

Background: Thyroid hormones (TH) play a crucial role in regulating cardiovascular functions. Thyroid dysfunction can negatively impact cardiac health, particularly in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), where it may exacerbate preexisting heart failure symptoms.

Objectives

1. To assess thyroid function in patients with chronic heart failure.
2. To analyze TSH, fT3, and fT4 levels across different stages (A, B, C, D) of chronic heart failure.

Methods: This study included 105 patients with CHF, conducted after obtaining institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent. Data were collected using a structured proforma, capturing relevant clinical history, examination findings, and laboratory investigations. Patients were stratified into heart failure stages, and thyroid function tests were performed. Data were analyzed using statistical methods, including Pearson correlation.

Results: Among the 105 participants, 67.33% were male, and 34.67% were female, with a mean age of 58 years, predominantly aged 55–64 years. The most common symptoms were pedal edema and orthopnea, with 38.6% presenting in NYHA class IV. Stage C was the most prevalent (87.13%). Comorbidities included T2DM (62.38%), hypertension (70.3%), and IHD (62.3%). TSH levels showed a significant positive correlation with the stage of HF (r = 0.243, p = 0.014), while fT3 levels showed a non-significant negative correlation (r = 0.0145, p = 0.885).

Conclusion: This study identified a significant association between elevated TSH levels and advanced stages of CHF, while no significant correlation was observed between low fT3 and HF stage. Managing modifiable risk factors remains key to improving outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic role of thyroid hormones in CHF management.

Keywords: Heart failure, thyroid hormones, TSH, fT3, thyroid dysfunction.