THYROID DISORDERS AMONG PATIENTS VISITING TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Background: Thyroid hormone abnormalities are the commonest endocrine disorder in India, but there is scarcity of data on the status of thyroid disorders in this part of eastern Uttar Pradesh of India. Objective: To determine the prevalence, clinical profile and associated co-morbidities of thyroid disorders in Prayagraj and nearby areas. Methods and Materials: A hospital based, cross sectional study was conducted at MLN Medical College and Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, Prayagraj. Patients visiting the medicine out-patient department (OPD) and in-patient department (IPD) were included if they had clinical suspicion of thyroid dysfunction. Clinical features of the 783 recruited patients were noted. Thyroid profile consisting of Tri-iodothyronin (T3), Thyroxin (T4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were tested in all. Investigations were also carried out to look for the co-morbidities associated with hypothyroidism. Results: Out of the 783 patients tested, 626 were females and 157 were males. 190 patients were found to have thyroid function abnormalities, 29 having subclinical hypothyroidism, 145 were overt hypothyroidism and 16 having hyperthyroidism. There was a high prevalence of goitre (43.75%) among patients of hyperthyroidism. The clinical feature of patients with hypo and hyperthyroidism was similar to other reported studies. Fatigue (70.38%) being the most common symptom in patients of overt hypothyroidism while palpitation (75%) was the most common presentation in patients of hyperthyroidism. A host of co-morbidities was observed along with thyroid dysfunction; anemia (n=47) was the most common followed by type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=33). Conclusion: Higher prevalence of hypothyroidism was observed in patients (especially females) in their third to fourth decade of life. Goiter is more frequent finding in patients of hyperthyroidism. The findings also support the indication of thyroid hormone screening during third decade of life and afterwards.