Dyslipidemia in Patients with Hypothyroidism at the Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar

Abstract

Introduction: Hypothyroidism can lead to lipid abnormalities. Work on this entity remains limited in Africa. The aim was to describe the characteristics of dyslipidemia in hypothyroid patients at the Clinique Médicale II of the Centre Hospitalier Abass Ndao in Dakar. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted from January 01, 2011 to April 30, 2023, a period of 13 years. It focused on patients with hypothyroidism. Epidemiological data and dyslipidemia characteristics were evaluated. Results: We enrolled 52 patients. The incidence of dyslipidemia was 75%, with 38 women (97.43%), giving a sex ratio (m/f) of 0.02. The mean age was 47.46 years, with extremes of 22 and 69 years. The average consultation time was 2.24 years. Dyslipidemia was more marked in the [40-49] age group, with17 cases (73.9%). Clinical signs were dominated by asthenia in 14 patients (35.89%), weight gain in 5 (12.82%) and constipation in 18 (46.15%). Mean systolic blood pressure was 12.79 mmhg, with extremes ranging from 9 to 17 mmhg. The mean LDL cholesterol level was 1.60 g/l with extremes ranging from 0.19 to 4.09g/l. It was higher in dyslipidemics than in non-dyslipidemics (p 0.001). Hypercholesterolemia alone concerned 30 cases (76.9%). Mixed dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia +hypertriglyceridemia) concerned 4 cases (10.3%). Atherogenic dyslipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL) concerned one case (2.6%). In terms of etiology, Hashimoto's thyroiditis was more prevalent in 26 patients (66.6%), and euthyroidism at 9 months was noted in 65.7% of dyslipidemic patients than in 34.3% of non-dyslipidemic patients (p=0.025). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia remains high in hypothyroidism, especially in women and elderly subjects. Hormone replacement therapy improves dyslipidemia.