prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in metabolic syndrome – a one year cross sectional study at kles dr. Prabhakar kore hospital and medical research centre, belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives Metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Patients suffering from both these diseases may have a compounded risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, low grade inflammation and hypercoagulability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the proposed association between these two disease entities. Methodology The present one year cross-sectional study was done from January 2013 to December 2013 at Department of Medicine at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. A total of 117 patients diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome based on NCEP ATP III criteria were studied for thyroid abnormalities. Results Males constituted 50.43% and 49.57% were females with male to female ratio of 1:1. Most of the patients presented with age between 51 to 60 years (28.21%) and the mean age was 52.25 ± 13.49 years. Most of the patients had BMI between 25.00 to 29.99 Kg/m2 (37.61%) and mean BMI was found to be 27.20 ± 4.22 Kg/m2. History of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dislipidemia was noted in 63.25%, 76.07% and 65.81%. Abnormal waist circumference was noted in 38.46% of the patients and mean waist circumference was 90.78 ± 9.74 Cms. Majority of the patients had abnormal HDL (86.32%) and triglyceride (52.14%) levels. Based on abnormal fT4B levels in 9.40% and abnormal TSH levels in 24.79%, thyroid status was abnormal in 24.79% of the patients. Thyroid abnormalities were hypothyroidism in 9.40% and 15.38% had sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Majority of the patients (71.79%) had metabolic syndrome with three components. Positive association of hypothyroidism was noted with female gender (p<0.050) while no association was found between hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome components including waist circumference, hypertension, diabetes, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Conclusion and interpretation There is high prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in patients with metabolic syndrome and is further high among females compared to males.