Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disorder characterized by a
chronic in-crease in pulmonary arterial pressure, frequently resulting
in right-sided heart failure and potentially death. Co-existing medical
conditions are important factors in PH, since they not only result in
the genesis of the disorder, but may also contribute to its progression.
Various studies have assessed the impact of thyroid disorders and other
endocrine conditions (namely estrogen exposure, obesity, and diabetes
mellitus) on the progression of PH. The complex interactions that
hormones may have with the cardiovascular system and pulmonary vascular
bed can create several pathogenetic routes that could explain the
effects of endocrine disorders on PH development and evolution. The aim
of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the role of
concomitant thyroid disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and estrogen
exposure as potential modifiers for PH, and especially for pulmonary
arterial hypertension, and to discuss possible pathogenetic routes
linking them with PH. This information could be valuable for practicing
clinicians so as to better evaluate and/or treat concomitant endocrine
conditions in the PH population
