SynthesisBMC endocrine disorders2026
Prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC endocrine disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThyroid hormones regulate insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, both of which are central to metabolic syndrome (MetS). While previous systematic reviews have identified an association between MetS and hypothyroidism, the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in this population remains unclear, with reported rates varying widely. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and SCH in individuals with MetS.
methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to February 10, 2025. Observational studies that reported the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism or SCH in more than 30 individuals with MetS were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies. Pooled prevalence estimates, corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and 95% prediction intervals (PIs) were calculated using the random-effects model.
resultsForty studies with a total of 25,008 MetS cases were included. The pooled prevalence estimates were 9.2% (95% CI: 6.2%; 12.7%) (95% PI: 0.0%; 32.7%) for overt hypothyroidism and 20.7% (95% CI: 15.6%; 26.3%) (95% PI: 0.1%; 60.1%) for SCH. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression indicated that high-risk-of-bias studies reported higher prevalence rates. Estimates from low-risk-of-bias studies, which are likely less affected by methodological biases, were 4.8% (95% CI: 1.9%; 8.9%) (95% PI: 0.0%; 24.8%) for overt hypothyroidism and 13.1% (95% CI: 9.1%; 17.8%) (95% PI: 0.5%; 38.2%) for SCH.
conclusionBased on low-risk-of-bias studies, the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism in MetS does not appear substantially higher than estimates reported in the general population, whereas SCH is more common. The high prevalence of SCH in MetS and its potential adverse effects on MetS components highlight the potential clinical relevance of thyroid function testing in these individuals. Further cohort and trial studies are necessary to clarify the metabolic significance of SCH in patients with MetS and to determine whether its treatment provides clinical benefit. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42024541953.
trial registrationNot applicable.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.