Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The objective of this report is to determine the presence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in people with thyroid disorders.

Methods: 112 subjects with a history of thyroid disorders were consecutively enrolled for the study. Clinical data was obtained by interviewing the patients and referring to their Case folders and their prescriptions. The subjects were categorized into three; thyrotoxic, euthyroid, hypothyroid based on clinical parameters and or thyroid function tests. The study subjects were weighed and their anthropometric indices were documented. The laboratory parameters that were analysed for included total cholesterol, high density and low density cholesterol and triglyceride. Statistical analysis included usage of Student’s t test, One way Anova test and chi square.

Results: The study subjects were aged between 14–76 years with a mean age of 44.5 (14)years and a female:male ratio of 97:15. The mean age and anthropometric indices were comparable in subjects with thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism and euthyroidism. The overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 28% and the frequency of occurrence of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism and euthyroidism were 24%, 40% and 42% respectively. The commonest occurring metabolic syndrome defining criterion was dysglycaemia and hypertension and elevated triglyceride were the least documented of the criteria.

Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome occur in one in every four persons with thyroid disorders and as such, routine screening for this cardiovascular risk factor may be of benefit in this group of people.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector