Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42873395›Full record

ArticleJournal of endocrinological investigation2026

Thyroid function and frailty in hospitalized older adults: the role of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio.

Rosaria M Ruggeri, Luca Balbo, Fabio Malacarne, Federica Bellone, Alfredo Campennì, Antonino Catalano, Giuseppe Mandraffino, Salvatore Cannavò, Angela Alibrandi, Giorgio Basile

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Article in Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Rosaria M RuggeriEndocrine Unit, Department of Human Pathology and Childhood "G. Barresi" (DETEV), University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Luca BalboEndocrine Unit, Department of Human Pathology and Childhood "G. Barresi" (DETEV), University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Fabio MalacarneUnit of Geriatrics, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, AOU G. Martino, Messina, Italy.
Federica BelloneDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Alfredo CampennìUnit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Antonino CatalanoDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Giuseppe MandraffinoDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Salvatore CannavòEndocrine Unit, Department of Human Pathology and Childhood "G. Barresi" (DETEV), University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Angela Alibrandi *Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Giorgio Basile *Unit of Geriatrics, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, AOU G. Martino, Messina, Italy. giorgio.basile@unime.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0040-8618

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionFrailty is a crucial factor in managing older adults, given its strong predictive power for adverse health outcomes. Recent attention has focused on the relationship between frailty and thyroid function, particularly the so-called low T3 syndrome. However, the relationship between frailty and peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism remains under-investigated.

methodsThis cross-sectional study included 112 patients hospitalized in a single-centre geriatric unit. Data on thyroid function, cognitive performance (MMSE), handgrip strength, and comorbidities were collected. Frailty was assessed using the Rockwood Frailty Index (FI), with FI > 0.25 indicating frailty.

resultsThe study population (58 men, 54 women; median age 81 years) showed mild cognitive impairment (MMSE median 22.0; IQR 18.0-26.3) and reduced handgrip strength (13 kg; 10-20 kg). Median FI was 0.304 (0.196-0.383), and 62.5% of patients were frail. Frail patients were older and had significantly lower MMSE scores, weaker handgrip strength, and poorer renal function. FT3 levels and the FT3/FT4 ratio were significantly lower in frail than non-frail patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Increasing FT3/FT4 quartiles were associated with progressively lower FI values and frailty prevalence (P = 0.032 and P for trend = 0.042, respectively). In multivariable analysis, age (P = 0.017), MMSE (P < 0.001), and the FT3/FT4 ratio (P = 0.016) were independently associated with FI.

conclusionLower FT3 levels and FT3/FT4 ratios were associated with greater frailty in hospitalized older adults. Prospective studies are warranted to validate their clinical utility as biomarkers of frailty.

Indexed as

FrailtyFT3 – FT3/FT4 ratio -Thyroid Function -ElderlyHospitalization

Identifiers

PMID42873395

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