Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract

CONTEXT\nAs subclinical hyperthyroidism increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, concerns are growing about the long-term skeletal safety of thyrotropin (TSH) suppression therapy after total thyroidectomy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nWe aimed to determine the effect of TSH suppression therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in DTC patients.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, and other sources. Eligible observational studies included DTC patients who underwent TSH suppression therapy and BMD measurement. Two independent reviewers extracted data on the studies characteristics and outcomes and determined their risk of bias. Data were extracted from each study for postmenopausal/premenopausal women s and men s lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total hip (TH) BMD and summed using a random-effects meta-analysis model. The weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are expressed for the differences in outcome measurements between groups.\n\n\nRESULTS\nSeventeen studies (739 patients and 1085 controls) were included for quantitative analysis. In postmenopausal women, TSH suppression therapy showed a significant decrease in LS BMD (-0.03; -0.05, -0.02), and a similar trend was seen in TH. In premenopausal women, TSH suppression therapy significantly increased LS BMD (0.04; 0.02, 0.06) and FN BMD (0.02; 0.01, 0.04). In men, there was no significant association between TSH suppression therapy and BMD at any site compared to the controls.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nEvidence from observational studies suggests that postmenopausal women treated with TSH suppression therapy are at risk for lower BMD. Attention should be paid to long-term skeletal safety in DTC survivors.