Effect of Levothyroxine on Kidney Function in Chronic Kidney Disease with Subclinical Hypothyroidism in US Veterans: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study
Date
2020-12-23Journal
Advances in TherapyPublisher
AdisType
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be associated with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH; defined as elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) despite normal free thyroxine levels). Although some studies have demonstrated that thyroid replacement therapy may improve renal function in overt hypothyroidism, there is no consensus on its benefits in SCH. Clinical and limited economic outcomes were evaluated in levothyroxine-treated US veterans with CKD + SCH. Methods: Veterans Health Administration claims data from April 2013 to March 2018 for levothyroxine-treated versus nontreated CKD + SCH patients were compared. Eligible patients with CKD + SCH (≥ 2 elevated TSH values recorded; ≥ 2 normal thyroxine values recorded) had ≥ 1 TSH values recorded during 24-month follow-up, and ≥ 1 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurement during baseline and follow-up. Continuous levothyroxine use (treatment cohort) was required during follow-up. The primary endpoint was eGFR at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months; secondary endpoints included eGFR change from baseline, CKD progression, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Results: Of 453 eligible patients, 157 remained in each cohort after PSM. Most were male (96%) and white (88%); mean age was 75 years. No significant differences were observed between cohorts at any time point for eGFR, eGFR change from baseline, or CKD progression. Treated patients had numerically higher mean eGFR at 6 and 12 months, lower proportions of progression to higher CKD stages at 12, 18, and 24 months, and shorter mean all-cause LOS versus nontreated patients (1.92 vs. 3.30 days; P = 0.3483) within the 24-month follow-up period. A significantly shorter mean CKD-related LOS was observed versus nontreated patients (0.11 vs. 1.38 days; P < 0.0001) during the 24-month follow-up. Conclusion: Levothyroxine use was associated with economic and clinical benefit in some patients with CKD + SCH, despite an absence of overall benefit on eGFR; confirmatory research is needed. Copyright 2020, The Author(s).Keyword
Chronic kidney diseaseEstimated glomerular filtration rate
Healthcare resource utilization
Length of stay
Levothyroxine
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormone
Identifier to cite or link to this item
http://hdl.handle.net/10713/14618ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/s12325-020-01589-3