A hospital based cross sectional study on subclinical hypothyroidism in females over fifty years of age and its relation to hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease at a tertiary care hospital, Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is more common in females compared to males and elderly age group. More studies are required to throw light on these aspects especially among elderly women with subclinical hypothyroidism and its association with prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and ischemic heart disease (IHD) among these women. The objective was to study prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism among elderly females and its relation with the diabetes, hypertension and IHD.Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out among 178 women of 50 years and more. Detailed history, clinical examination and routine investigations were carried out. Free T4, free T3 and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels were measured using electro chemiluminescent method. Presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, IHD was noted.Results: Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 24.7% and more in 61-70 years (38.5%). In 55% of the women the symptoms were absent. The most common symptom was fatigability and constipation. The prevalence of IHD among women with subclinical hypothyroidism was 22.7% compared to only 7.5% in women without subclinical hypothyroidism and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). For hypertension and diabetes, it was observed that the prevalence of these two conditions was slightly more in women without subclinical hypothyroidism but the difference was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05).Conclusions: Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the elderly women was high. Subclinical hypothyroidism was found to be significantly associated with IHD but not with hypertension and diabetes.