Impact of Hypertriglyceridemia on Outcome of Adult Patient Admitted With Hyperthyroidism: Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample 2016–2017

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction has a great impact on lipids as well as a number of other cardiovascular risk factors. Though the effect of thyroid hormones on plasma cholesterol concentrations are well-recognized, however, there are conflicting reports about the effect of thyroid hormone on the metabolism of plasma triglycerides. We sought to determine the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on patient admitted with hyperthyroidism. Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) databases from 2016 to 2017 for adults aged 18 and above with hypertriglyceridemia as a principle diagnosis with and without hyperthyroidism using ICD-10 codes. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis was used accordingly to adjust for confounders. Results: There were over 71 million discharges in the combined 2016 and 2017 NIS database. Out of 17,705 hyperthyroidism hospitalizations, 15% had hypertriglyceridemia. Hypertriglyceridemia with hyperthyroidism had a similar odds of inpatient mortality (AOR 0.37, CI 0.06–1.99, P=0.246), acute kidney injury (AOR 1.03, CI 0.706–1.510, P=0.868) and cardiogenic shock (AOR 0.96, CI 0.134–6.72, P=0.963). There was a statistically significant increase in odds of acute respiratory failure (AOR 0.46, CI- 0.21- 0.99, P=0.048) in those hospitalized with hyperthyroidism and hypertriglyceridemia compared to those with hyperthyroidism alone. Conclusion: Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with similar outcomes in patient admitted for hyperthyroidism in terms of mortality, acute kidney injury and acute cardiogenic shock with an increased odd of acute respiratory failure. More research is needed to explain the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on hyperthyroidism.