STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS REGARDING THYROID DISORDERS IN PEOPLE OF WESTERN NEPAL AT ZENUS HOSPITAL

Background: Thyroid dysfunction indicates alteration of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone with normal or abnormal free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine hormone. Thyroid disorder may range from small goiter to life threatening diseases such as thyroid cancer when there is imbalance in regulation in thyroid hormones. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among 221 participants with the age more than 18 years old. Thyroid function tests (free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, Thyroid stimulating hormone)was done to identify thyroid disorders. Thyroid dysfunction was categorized as euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism on the basis of the level of thyroid hormones.Data collection for demography, knowledge about thyroid gland and its disorder was done by means of a self-designed questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-16). Results: Among 221 subjects, over all prevalence of thyroid disorder was found55 (24.88%).Of which subclinical hypothyroidism 39 (17.6%) and subclinical hyperthyroidism 9 (4.1%), hyperthyroidism 4 (1.8%), hypothyroidism 3 (1.4%) and euthyroidism 166 (75.11%). Subclinical conditions were found more common as compared to hypo or hyperthyroidism. Females were observed with higher thyroid prevalence. Regarding knowledge about thyroid, 64 (29.0%) had poor knowledge, 119 (53.8%) had average knowledge, 37 (16.7%) had good knowledge whereas 1 (0.5%) had excellent knowledge. Conclusions: Our study revealed the prevalence of thyroid disorders in which the sub clinical hypothyroidism was most prevalent. Thyroid dysfunction was observed more common in females as compared to males. Sub clinical hypothyroidism was found higher in 18-33 age groups.Overall participants were observed having average knowledge of thyroid disorders.