Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Thyroid dysfunction among Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: A cross-sectional hospital-based study is conducted to find out the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. 713 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects were enrolled in the survey. These subjects were investigated for fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Results: Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in T2DM was found in 16.2%. Gender-specific prevalence found higher in females (25%) compared to males (10.1%) (P<0.001). Age-specific prevalence found higher in the age group ≥50 yrs. (19%) Compared to other age groups (P=0.036). Subjects with poor glycaemic control demonstrated higher prevalence (27.9%) (P=0.012). Subjects with long-standing T2DM had an increased risk for thyroid dysfunction (19.8%) though findings were not statistically significant. (P=0.42).

Conclusion: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction with T2DM (16.2%) was high in females compared to males and especially hypothyroidism being more typical. Failure to recognise the presence of thyroid dysfunction among T2DM patients may be a primary cause of poor management of diabetes. We recommend universal screening and regular monitoring of thyroid dysfunction in T2DM patients.