International variation in GP treatment strategies for subclinical hypothyroidism in older adults: a case-based survey

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

  • Wendy P J den Elzen
  • Anne A Lefèbre-van de Fliert
  • Vanessa Virgini
  • Simon P Mooijaart
  • Peter Frey
  • Patricia M Kearney
  • Ngaire Kerse
  • Christian D Mallen
  • Vera J C McCarthy
  • Christiane Muth
  • Thomas Rosemann
  • Audrey Russell
  • Henk Schers
  • David J Stott
  • Margot W M de Waal
  • Alex Warner
  • Westendorp, Rudi GJ
  • Nicolas Rodondi
  • Jacobijn Gussekloo

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence about the impact of treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, especially among older people.

AIM: To investigate the variation in GP treatment strategies for older patients with subclinical hypothyroidism depending on country and patient characteristics.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-based survey of GPs in the Netherlands, Germany, England, Ireland, Switzerland, and New Zealand.

METHOD: The treatment strategy of GPs (treatment yes/no, starting-dose thyroxine) was assessed for eight cases presenting a woman with subclinical hypothyroidism. The cases differed in the patient characteristics of age (70 versus 85 years), vitality status (vital versus vulnerable), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration (6 versus 15 mU/L).

RESULTS: A total of 526 GPs participated (the Netherlands n = 129, Germany n = 61, England n = 22, Ireland n = 21, Switzerland n = 262, New Zealand n = 31; overall response 19%). Across countries, differences in treatment strategy were observed. GPs from the Netherlands (mean treatment percentage 34%), England (40%), and New Zealand (39%) were less inclined to start treatment than GPs in Germany (73%), Ireland (62%), and Switzerland (52%) (P = 0.05). Overall, GPs were less inclined to start treatment in 85-year-old than in 70-year-old females (pooled odds ratio [OR] 0.74 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.63 to 0.87]). Females with a TSH of 15 mU/L were more likely to get treated than those with a TSH of 6 mU/L (pooled OR 9.49 [95% CI = 5.81 to 15.5]).

CONCLUSION: GP treatment strategies of older people with subclinical hypothyroidism vary largely by country and patient characteristics. This variation underlines the need for a new generation of international guidelines based on the outcomes of randomised clinical trials set within primary care.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftBritish Journal of General Practice
Vol/bind65
Udgave nummer631
Sider (fra-til)e121-132
Antal sider12
ISSN0960-1643
DOI
StatusUdgivet - feb. 2015
Eksternt udgivetJa

ID: 140396029