Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: To evaluate thyroid dysfunction in all patients admitted to hospitals in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) from October 2019 to September 2021.

Method: This report is based on a retrospective observational study of the thyroid tests and case notes of 95 patients admitted to all the hospitals under ABUHB for acute concerns (other than thyroid dysfunction) over 2 years.

Results: In-Patient scanned notes and pathology results were reviewed to identify all patients having TSH <0.01. A total of 95 patients were identified, out of which 26 were found to have sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, and 69 were overtly hyperthyroid. Of the sub-clinical group, 12 of the 26 patients were found to have thyroid antibodies – 6 TRab/TSI, 2 TPO, and 4 positive for both TRab and TPO, but a total of 15 of the 26 patients were known to have thyroid dysfunction previously. Causes of previous thyroid illness included – Graves’ disease, Multi-nodular Goitre, Hypopituitarism, Thyroiditis and Thyroid cancer. Mortality was significantly higher (30.7%) in the sub-clinical group, as compared to 13.04% in the hyperthyroid group. History of thyroid dysfunction and gestational thyroid dysfunction was noted to be similar in both groups.

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is common in patients admitted to hospital in acute settings, with most of them having Graves’ disease. This study also highlights significant mortality in these patients. Further studies are needed to ascertain the extent and nature of this correlation and its implications.

Analysis of the 2 groups revealed