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

den Elzen, W. P.; Lefebre-van de Fliert, A. A.; Virgini, Vanessa; Mooijaart, S. P.; Frey, Peter; Kearney, P. M.; Kerse, N.; Mallen, C. D.; McCarthy, V. J.; Muth, C.; Rosemann, T.; Russell, A.; Schers, H.; Stott, D. J.; de Waal, M. W.; Warner, A.; Westendorp, R. G.; Rodondi, Nicolas; Gussekloo, J. (2015). International variation in GP treatment strategies for subclinical hypothyroidism in older adults: a case-based survey. British journal of general practice, 65(631), e121-e132. Royal College of General Practitioners 10.3399/bjgp15X683569

[img] Text
denElzen BrJGenPract 2015.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to registered users only
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (146kB)

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

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Clinic of General Internal Medicine > Centre of Competence for General Internal Medicine
04 Faculty of Medicine > Medical Education > Institute of General Practice and Primary Care (BIHAM)
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Clinic of General Internal Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Virgini, Vanessa Sophie, Frey, Peter, Rodondi, Nicolas

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services

ISSN:

0960-1643

Publisher:

Royal College of General Practitioners

Language:

English

Submitter:

Doris Kopp Heim

Date Deposited:

06 Feb 2015 13:46

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:39

Publisher DOI:

10.3399/bjgp15X683569

PubMed ID:

25624308

Uncontrolled Keywords:

general practice, subclinical hypothyroidism, survey

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.62609

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/62609

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback