Thyroid Dysfunction in Korean Obese Youth

초록

Objective In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the thyroid function in pediatric obese patients, but no nationwide study evaluating the relationship between thyroid function and obesity has yet been conducted in Korea. We aimed to evaluate thyroid dysfunction in Korean obese children. Methods We analyzed the association between obesity and thyroid hormone among 1,021 Korean boys and girls aged 10?18 years, who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (2013 to 2015). Results The prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was 6.56% and 0%, respectively. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism TPO-Ab-positive subjects was 0.29%. The prevalence of subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism was 0.78% and 0.29%, respectively. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obese was 4.2%, 12.5%, and 9.8%, respectively. FT4 concentrations were significantly lower in obese children than in normal-weight children (P = 0.005), whereas there was no difference in TSH levels (P = 0.348). TSH concentrations were significantly higher in abdominal obesity children than in normal children (P = 0.018), and fT4 levels were significantly lower in abdominal obesity children than in normal children (P = 0.001). Conclusion TSH concentrations were significantly higher in abdominal obesity children than in normal children, and fT4 levels were significantly lower in abdominal obesity children than in normal children. The mechanisms underlying the thyroid hormonal changes and metabolic syndrome risk factor in obesity needs further studies.