Spirometric assessment of pulmonary functions in adult with documented primary hypothyroidism

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine problem, state of deficient thyroid hormones, may be result of many etiologies. Primary hypothyroidism is a subset of Hypothyroidism which accounts for 95% of the cases, only 5% are due to secondary causes. Respiratory manifestations are seldom the major complaints in hypothyroidism. Lung volumes are usually normal, but few studies have shown findings suggestive of restrictive pattern of impairment. This has been attributed to decrease in both expiratory and inspiratory muscle strength, alveolar hypoventilation due to depression of hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory drives. Aim of the Study: To study the pulmonary functions of individuals with primary hypothyroidism by performing spirometry, to compare the spirometric findings of primary hypothyroidism patients with euthyroid individuals. Materials and methods: Sample size of the study was around 50 patients. 25 patients were controls who were free from thyroid disease. 25 subjects were diagnosed primary hypothyroidism patients were included in the study. The patients and controls were evaluated as per the predesigned proforma and relevant investigations were done to assess their cardiac status and pulmonary status. Results: The FEV1, FVC, PEFR were found to be decreased and the FEV1/ FVC % was found to be increased in Primary hypothyroidism group when compared to control group. Conclusion: Pulmonary functions of individuals with primary hypothyroidism patients was by assessed by spirometry and compared with euthyroid individuals. Spirometry values were consistently lower in primary hypothyroidsm patients .Females are more affected than males. Spirometry values shows restrictive pattern.