Publication:

Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in metabolic syndrome: our experience from Karnataka

Background Metabolic syndrome is a collection of factors which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a state of mild thyroid failure. There are few factors which increase the risk for developing subclinical hypothyroidism such as female gender, advanced age and greater dietary iodine intake. Subclinical hypothyroidism as it is more common than overt hypothyroidism. Objectives were to study prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients of metabolic syndrome and its association with demographic and clinical parameters.

Methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on patients attending General Medicine OPD and in-patients admitted at Navodaya Medical College and Hospital, Raichur including 103 cases of metabolic syndrome. The data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) 24.0 version.

Results Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in our study was 30.1%. Majority were from 41-50 years age group i.e., 9 (29%) and majority were females i.e., 17 (54.8%). We did not find any association between Subclinical hypothyroidism and gender (p>0.05). Prevalence of overweight in our study among SCH was 35.5% compared to 18.1% of normal patients. Elevated levels of TG were observed in 64 i.e., 62.1%, elevated TC 23.3%, elevated levels of LDL in 30.1% patients.

Conclusions Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in our study was 30.1%. Majority were from 41-50 years age group i.e., 29% and majority were females i.e., 17 (54.8%). We did not find any association between subclinical hypothyroidism and body mass index (BMI) in our study.