Explore the vast range of titles available.

Thyroid dysfunction appears to be the leading endocrine disorder. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 4402 individuals from three Croatian cohorts. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism (subclinical and clinical) and positive thyroid antibodies in the Croatian population. The results of the study indicated that 17.6% of participants were euthyroid with positive antibodies. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism was 3% and 7.4%, respectively, while the prevalence of clinical and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.2% and 1.1%, respectively. Among them, 92.6% subclinical hypothyroid, 93.9% clinical hypothyroid, 83% subclinical hyperthyroid and 71.4% clinical hyperthyroid participants were undiagnosed. Finally, the prevalence of undiagnosed subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in our population was 6.9% and 2.8%, respectively, while the prevalence of undiagnosed subclinical and clinical hyperthyroidism was 0.9% and 0.1%, respectively. Women showed a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders; 1.57 times higher odds of euthyroidism with positive antibodies, 2.1 times higher odds of subclinical hyperthyroidism, 2.37 times higher odds of clinical hypothyroidism and 1.58 times higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism than men. These results indicate an extremely high proportion of undiagnosed cases, and therefore require investments in a prevention programme.

Background Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of the principal regulators of calcium homeostasis. Although serum PTH level is mostly accounted by genetic factors, genetic background underlying PTH level is insufficiently known . Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel genetic variants associated with PTH levels. Methods We performed GWAS meta-analysis within two genetically isolated Croatian populations followed by replication analysis in a Croatian mainland population and we also combined results across all three analyzed populations. The analyses included 2596 individuals. A total of 7,411,206 variants, imputed using the 1000 Genomes reference panel, were analysed for the association. In addition, a sex-specific GWAS meta-analyses were performed. Results Polymorphisms with the lowest P -values were located on chromosome 4 approximately 84 kb of the 5′ of RASGEF1B gene. The most significant SNP was rs11099476 ( P  = 1.15 × 10 −8 ). Sex-specific analysis identified genome-wide significant association of the variant rs77178854, located within DPP10 gene in females only ( P  = 2.21 × 10 − 9 ). There were no genome-wide significant findings in the meta-analysis of males. Conclusions We identified two biologically plausible novel loci associated with PTH levels, providing us with further insights into the genetics of this complex trait.

Thyroid hormones (THs) play an indispensable role in skeletal development and bone remodeling. Some studies have reported associations of THs with serum osteocalcin (OC) levels, but the results are quite inconsistent and the molecular mechanism of their simultaneous or interdependent activity on bone is almost unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the possible associations of plasma THs with plasma OC levels and the possible mediating effect of OC on the relationship between THs and bone mineral density (BMD). For this purpose, out of the initial 1981 participants, we selected healthy euthyroid participants controlled for available confounding factors that can affect thyroid function and bone metabolism (N = 694). Given our results, we could not confirm any associations of THs with plasma OC levels nor the mediating effect of OC on the relationship between THs and BMD in euthyroid population. In the group of women controlled for menopause status (N = 396), we found a significant negative association of body mass index (BMI) with OC levels (β = −0.14, p = 0.03). We also found a negative association of free triiodothyronine (fT3) (β = −0.01, p = 0.02) and age (β = −0.003, p < 0.001) with BMD, and a positive association of BMI (β = 0.004, p < 0.001) and male gender (β = 0.1, p < 0.001) with BMD. In addition, we found significantly higher plasma OC levels and lower values of BMD in postmenopausal euthyroid women compared with premenopausal euthyroid women. In our opinion, the results of previous studies suggesting an association between circulating THs and serum OC levels may be influenced by an inconsistent selection of participants and the influence of confounding factors.

•This is the first study of a comprehensive set of dietary factors associated with thyroid hormone levels.•We observed a negative effect of foods with a high glycemic index on thyroid function.•We observed a positive effect of foods with high protein concentration on thyroid function.•We observed a positive effect of frequent consumption of foods rich in saturated fatty acids on thyroid function. The aim of the study was to analyze the association of dietary groups (groups of food items) with thyroid hormone levels in healthy individuals. This cross-sectional study enrolled 4585 healthy individuals from the Dalmatian region of south Croatia with measurements of plasma free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Dietary intake was assessed according to data of the completed food frequency questionnaire, containing 58 food items. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce food items into dietary groups, followed by linear regression analyses to test the association between dietary groups and fT3, fT4, and TSH levels. Among the 4585 healthy individuals, we observed lower plasma fT3 and fT4 levels and higher TSH levels in women than in men. Smokers were found to have significantly lower TSH levels than non-smokers and ex-smokers, and participants with higher fasting glucose levels had higher fT4 levels. Different dietary groups (factors) showed association with fT3, fT4, and TSH levels. It was observed that dietary factors (with frequent consumption of fruit juices, Cedevita vitamin drink, and non-alcoholic drinks) that negatively affected TSH levels simultaneously had a positive effect on fT4, satisfying the expected pattern of effects. In our study, frequent consumption of foods with a high glycemic index showed a positive association with fT3 and fT4 levels and a negative association with TSH levels, whereas foods rich in saturated fatty acids and with a high protein concentration showed a negative association with fT3 and fT4 levels. [Display omitted]

The main goal of this research was to determine whether there is a correlation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS)) and parameters indicating thyroid gland activity, such as concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4)), thyroglobulin (Tg), antibodies to thyroid proteins (thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)), and calcitonin (CT) in plasma and serum samples. An additional objective was to investigate whether there are differences in the values of the MDSS among clinical groups (euthyroid individuals, euthyroid individuals with positive TgAb and/or TPOAb, and hypothyroid and hyperthyroid participants). This cross-sectional study included 4620 participants over 18 years of age from the islands of Korčula and Vis, and the mainland city of Split. The MDSS was assessed from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). MDSS values were significantly higher in females compared to males and showed a positive association with the age of the participants. There was no significant difference in the MDSS values among the examined clinical groups. In the group of subjects with euthyroidism, a significant positive association was found between fT3 and the MDSS, while in the group of subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism, a significant positive association was observed between the MDSS and both fT3 and fT4. CT levels were also positively associated with the MDSS. Considering the significant positive association of the MDSS and both fT3 and fT4 levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, the results of this study could be used to create guidelines for selecting an appropriate, potentially protective diet for these patients.

Introduction: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) are main components of the thyroid gland and play an essential role in thyroid hormone synthesis. The development of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb) is the major diagnostic hallmark and early indicator of autoimmune thyroid disease. TPOAb and TgAb are under strong genetic infuence; however, genetic factors that determine thyroid antibody positivity are largely unknown. Materials and Methods: To identify novel loci associated with TPOAb and/or TgAb positivity, we performed a genome-wide meta-analysis in a total of 2613 individuals from Croatia. Participants with elevated plasma TPOAb and/or TgAb were defined as cases (N = 619) and those with TPOAb and TgAb within reference values were defined as controls (N = 1994). Results: We identified 2 novel loci, of which 1 is located within the YES1 gene (rs77284350, P = 1.50 * 10 (-8) ), and the other resides within the IRF8 gene (rs16939945, P = 5.04 * 10 (-8) ). Conclusions: Although the observed variants were associated with TPOAb and TgAb positivity for the first time, both YES1 and IRF8 were previously linked to susceptibility to other autoimmune diseases, and represent plausible biological candidates. This study adds to the knowledge of genetics underlying thyroid antibodies and provides a good basis for further research. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 105: 944-951, 2020) Key Words: genome-wide association study, meta-analysis, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroglobulin antibody

Abstract Introduction Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) are main components of the thyroid gland and play an essential role in thyroid hormone synthesis. The development of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb) is the major diagnostic hallmark and early indicator of autoimmune thyroid disease. TPOAb and TgAb are under strong genetic influence; however, genetic factors that determine thyroid antibody positivity are largely unknown. Materials and Methods To identify novel loci associated with TPOAb and/or TgAb positivity, we performed a genome-wide meta-analysis in a total of 2613 individuals from Croatia. Participants with elevated plasma TPOAb and/or TgAb were defined as cases (N = 619) and those with TPOAb and TgAb within reference values were defined as controls (N = 1994). Results We identified 2 novel loci, of which 1 is located within the YES1 gene (rs77284350, P = 1.50 × 10–8), and the other resides within the IRF8 gene (rs16939945, P = 5.04 × 10–8). Conclusions Although the observed variants were associated with TPOAb and TgAb positivity for the first time, both YES1 and IRF8 were previously linked to susceptibility to other autoimmune diseases, and represent plausible biological candidates. This study adds to the knowledge of genetics underlying thyroid antibodies and provides a good basis for further research.

The knowledge about dietary habits and their influence in the development of autoimmune thyroid disease is insufficient. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of dietary factors and plasma thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and/or thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab). The study enrolled 1887 participants originating from the South Croatia. Participants with elevated plasma TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab were defined as cases (n = 462) and those with TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab within referent values were defined as controls (n = 1425). Dietary intake was evaluated according to a food frequency questionnaire containing 58 food items. Principal component analysis was used to group food items into dietary groups. We used logistic regression analysis to examine dietary groups associated with positive plasma TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab. The results indicate that the dietary group with frequent consumption of animal fats and butter is associated with positive plasma TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab (p = 0.01). The dietary group with frequent consumption of vegetables as well as the dietary group with high consumption of dried fruit, nuts, and muesli are associated with negative findings of TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab (p = 0.048 and p = 0.02, respectively). We showed that the anti-inflammatory dietary groups are associated with the negative findings of plasma TPO-Ab and/or Tg-Ab.

Past research has revealed that relative importance a person places on extrinsic life goals as oposed to intrinsic ones is related to lower well-being. But sometimes it is more important why a goal is being pursued than the content of the goal. Materialistic aspirations will not decrease people's well-being if they help them to achieve basic financial security or some intrinsic goals. On the other hand, if social comparison or seeking power drives extrinsic orientation, these aspirations may be detrimental for well-being, since they do not satisfy satisfy our basic psychological needs. Research from Croatia and other, less rich countries suggest that extrinsic aspirations are not necessarily deterimental but may even contribute to well-being. This finding suggests that various factors can moderate the relationship between aspirations and well-being. Intrinsic life goals may probably be affordable only for people who are well off enough. The meaning of financial success in transitional and poor countries may not necesseraly be associated with purchase and consumption. On the contrary, it may bring opportunities and possibilities of self-expression and self-growth. Individualistic societies allow individuals to pursue their intrinsic goals while collectivistic cultures stress extrinsic ones. Although this extrinsic orientation may detract their well-being, the sense of individual well-being may not be as important to them as the survival of the group they belong to or so called social well-being. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The present study explored whether participants can be classified into groups according to their intrinsic and extrinsic life goals and how these groups differ in satisfaction of basic psychological needs and well-being. Four questionnaires were administered to 835 college students: Aspiration Index (Kasser and Ryan, 1996), The Basic Psychological Needs Scale (Gagnè, 2003), Subjective Vitality Scale (Ryan and Frederick, 1997) and The Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener at al., 1985). K-Means cluster analysis was used to classify individuals on the basis of their life aspirations: importance, present attainment and likelihood of future attainment. The same four-cluster solution was obtained for all three measures. The first cluster included individuals high on extrinsic and low on intrinsic life goals. The second contained students high on intrinsic and low on extrinsic aspirations. The third group included students with high scores on both intrinsic and extrinsic goals, and the fourth those with low scores on both kinds of goals. The group with high scores on both intrinsic and extrinsic goals had the highest scores on measures of well-being, followed by the group with high intrinsic and low extrinsic aspirations. These two groups had also higher values for all basic psychological needs compared to groups with low scores on intrinsic values. These findings suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic goals can contribute to well-being. Reprinted by permission of Drustvena Istrazivanja