Is High Blood Pressure Associated with Hypothyroidism? A Community based Study among Adult Women in a Rural Area of West Bengal

Background :Hypothyroidism has also been considered as a causative factor of hypertension. Dislipidaemia, early atherosclerotic process, increased peripheral vascular resistance, and low cardiac output has been considered to be the causative link among hypothyroidism and high blood pressure. It was in this context that the present study was undertaken to determine the risk factors of high blood pressure with special emphasis on hypothyroidism. METHODS :An observational, community based cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 2 years in a rural area of West Bengal, India. A total of 315 adult women (> 18 years) residing in the study area and who had agreed to give informed consent were enrolled in the study. The association between high blood pressure and different variables was estimated in univariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Multi variable binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that high blood pressure was significantly associated with hypothyroidism (AOR=1.78, CI=1.16,3.48),hypercholesterolemia (AOR=1.99, CI=1.06,3.78) ,high BMI( >25 kg/m2) (AOR=1.87, CI=1.12, 3.61) and advancing age (AOR=1.05, CI=1.02,1.09) Conclusion : . From this study it is clear that there is interplay between high blood pressure ,hypothyroidism and other metabolic risks. So stringent steps must be taken at all levels for screening of thyroid dysfunction along with hypertension.