Background.—
We measured sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (sTSH) in 50 consecutive nursing home patients (39 men) with atrial fibrillation to determine the frequency of hyperthyroidism.
Methods.—
Patients were identified in a long-term care facility by an electrocardiogram demonstrating atrial fibrillation. The sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone assay had a detection limit of less than or equal to 0.02 mU/L (normal range, 0.46 to 3.60 mU/L).
Results.—
No subject had a suppressed sensitive thyrotropin-stimulating hormone.
Conclusions.—
Hyperthyroidism is not a common cause of atrial fibrillation in male nursing home residents.(Arch Intern Med. 1992;152:2063-2064)