Association between different obesity phenotypes and hypothyroidism: a study based on a longitudinal health management cohort

Purpose Obese individuals have an increased risk of hypothyroidism. This study investigated the sex-specific association between obesity phenotypes and the development of hypothyroidism. Methods The study population was derived from a health management cohort in Shandong Provincial Hospital from 2012 to 2016. In total, 9011 baseline euthyroid adults were included and classified into four groups according to obesity phenotype: metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). The median follow-up time was 1.92 (1.00-2.17) years. Incidence density was evaluated and a generalized estimation equation method was used to investigate the associations between obesity phenotypes and the development of hypothyroidism. Results The incidence densities of hypothyroidism in males with a consistent obesity phenotype were 12.19 (8.62-16.76), 15.87 (11.39-21.56), 14.52 (6.74-27.57), and 19.88 (14.06-27.34) per 1000 person-years in the MHNO, MHO, MUNO, and MUO groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the MHNO phenotype, the MHO, MUNO, and MUO phenotypes were independent risk factors for developing hypothyroidism in males. In the subgroup analysis, the MHO and MUO phenotypes were independent risk factors for developing hypothyroidism in males under 55 years, while the MUNO phenotype was an independent risk factor in males over 55 years. The MHO, MUNO, and MUO phenotypes were not independent risk factors for hypothyroidism in females. Conclusion Both obesity and metabolic abnormities are associated with a higher risk of hypothyroidism in males. The underlying mechanism of the sex and age differences in this association needs further investigation.

Automated summary

Obese individuals, especially males, have a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism, with differing associations based on obesity phenotypes and age groups. While obesity and metabolic abnormalities are linked to a higher risk of hypothyroidism in males, this association is weaker in females. Further investigation is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these sex and age differences in the association between obesity phenotypes and hypothyroidism.