Thyroid Dysfunction in Elderly Patients and Its Clinical Presentation

Abstract

Author Amira H. Mahmoud M.D* From *Geriatrics and Gerontology Dept, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Corresponding Author Amira Hanafey Mahmoud M.D, Geriatrics and Gerontology Dept, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt Email: amira_mahmoud93@yahoo.com Tel: +966571435305 Abstract Aim: to study the spectrum of thyroid dysfunction in a sample of Saudi elderly and to correlate clinical symptoms with abnormal thyroid function. Design & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 elderly subjects aged 60 years and older. Participants were recruited from Geriatric outpatient clinic at Al-Zahra General hospital in Qatif city in Alsharqia region of kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Those who were suffering from symptoms suggestive of thyroid disorders or subjects with vague symptoms like generalized weakness, easy fatigability, lethargy were subjected to detailed clinical examination & thyroid function testing by biochemical means. Results: Thyroid disorders were present in 20%of subjects. Overt hypothyroidism in 10%, subclinical hypothyroidism in 5% cases, hyperthyroidism in 3% and subclinical hyperthyroidism in 2% patients was noted. Females had higher incidence of thyroid disorders than males 20%versus 6%, showing a female preponderance. This was seen in both hypothyroid and hyper thyroid states. Analysis of clinical features of hypothyroidism showed that generalized weakness and easy fatigability were the most common symptoms among subjects with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and sluggish ankle jerk was the most noted sign, while in hyperthyroidism palpitation ,tachycardia and weight loss were the most common features among subjects in both overt and subclinical states. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is common in elderly and are more among females. A strong clinical suspicion of thyroid diseases should be considered in elderly patients as the symptoms are few or absent and are easily confused with coexisting illnesses.