English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction have long term sequalae on cardiovascular health. The present study was conducted to assess the spectrum of abnormalities in patients of type 2 DM with thyroid disorders. METHODS This case-control study included 52 patients of type 2 DM with thyroid dysfunction (cases) and 52 patients of type 2 DM without thyroid dysfunction (controls). Laboratory investigations like thyroid profile, lipid profile and glycosylated haemoglobin were measured for all the patients. RESULTS Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid abnormality. Mean body mass index (BMI) was found to be similar in the two patient groups. We observed a higher mean HbA1c levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to those without thyroid dysfunction (8.75% vs 7.16%, P value < 0.01). Among the lipid profile parameters, mean triglyceride levels and total cholesterol levels were also found to be significantly higher in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to those without thyroid dysfunction. Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) was also found to be significantly higher among patients with thyroid dysfunction. Furthermore, we observed mean BMI, HbA1c, mean total cholesterol and UPCR to be significantly higher among cases with hypothyroidism as compared to those with hyperthyroidism. Mean triglyceride levels were similar in the two patient groups. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that all type 2 DM patients should have a baseline evaluation of thyroid function. KEYWORDS Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidaemia, Hypothyroidism