Hypothyroidism in Conakry: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Amadou Kaké,Mamadou Alpha Diallo,Alpha Mamadou Diallo,Amadou Diango,Kadija Dieng,Mamadou Mansour Diallo,Diallo Kourouma,Mody Abdoulaye Barry,Djibril Sylla,Naby Moussa Baldé,Elhadj Zainoul Bah,Mamadou Cherif Diallo

doi:10.4236/ojim.2022.121005

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a frequent endocrine disorder that can occur at any age and predominantly affects women. The etiologies are diverse and may vary according to the geographical and socio-demographic context. The objective of our work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of hypothyroidism in Conakry, Guinea. Materials and Method: This was a descriptive study with prospective data collection, over the period from December 2016 to May 2021. It focused on patients seen at the endocrinology consultation of Conakry University Hospital. Epidemiological, clinical, etiological, therapeutic, and evolutionary variables of patients diagnosed or followed-up for hypothyroidism were collected and analyzed. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism was defined by elevated TSH and/or decreased FT4/FT3. Results: Out of a total of 290 patients who consulted for thyroid pathology, hypothyroidism concerned 49 patients, i.e. , a frequency of 14%. Women were the most affected with a sex ratio of 0.13. The mean age of patients was 48.65 ± 19.93 years with extremes of 2 years and 80 years. Hypo-metabolic syndrome was the main clinical sign and was manifested mainly by constipation found in 48.89% of cases. TSH was elevated in all cases with a mean level of 24.56 ± 14.17 mIU/ml. Hypertension was the most frequently associated pathology (57%). Three etiological groups of hypothyroidisms were found. These were thyroidectomy in 42.85% of cases, thyroiditis in 34.69% of cases and post synthetic antithyroid hypothyroidism. All patients were treated with L-thyroxin, with a favorable clinical course. Follow-up was regular in 16 patients (32.65%). Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is common in this population, and primarily affects women. Thyroid surgery was the main cause of hypothyroidism in this work.

Highlights

Hypothyroidism is the clinical and biological expression of thyroid hormone deficiency
In two studies conducted in Niger, thyroidectomy was the main etiology of hypothyroidism, followed by autoimmune causes [2] [3]
Epidemiological characteristics Of a total of 290 patients seen at the consultation for thyroid pathology, 49 patients had hypothyroidism, a frequency of 14%

Summary

Introduction

Hypothyroidism is the clinical and biological expression of thyroid hormone deficiency. It can be either of primary or secondary origin and responsible for hypo-metabolism, whatever the etiology [1]. It is a predominantly female condition and its prevalence in the general population varies between 0.1% and 2% [1]. In the United States, the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism in the general population was 0.3% and the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 4.3% in 2007 [1]. In sub-Saharan Africa, hypothyroidism is dominated by iodine deficiency and is associated with endemic goiter, which has been decreasing significantly since the introduction of salt iodization policies in the 1990s [2]. In two studies conducted in Niger, thyroidectomy was the main etiology of hypothyroidism, followed by autoimmune causes [2] [3]

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