Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Physiological changes during pregnancy expose pregnant women to an increased risk of thyroid disorders or decompensation of underlying thyroid conditions, which can impact the quality of life of patients.

Objective: To assess the quality of life of Moroccan pregnant women with thyroid disorders.

Materials and Methods: A case-control study conducted at the Endocrinology-Diabetology Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, involving pregnant patients with thyroid disorders. Two groups were included: the first diagnosed during the current pregnancy, and the second followed for thyroid disorders before pregnancy. Patients with other pathologies and thyroid cancers were exclu+ded. Participants completed the ThyPRO questionnaire.

Results: We included 53 patients divided into two groups; 20 were diagnosed with thyroid disorders during the current pregnancy, and 33 had thyroid disorders before pregnancy. The average age was 29.6, with 17.3% having hypothyroidism and 82.7% having hyperthyroidism. 20% reported an unwanted pregnancy. The mean score of thyroid symptoms was higher in the first group, 52 vs 19.3. Patients diagnosed with thyroid disorders during their pregnancy also exhibited more pronounced cognitive problems (33.8 vs 7.6), depression with an average score of 43.03 vs 24.9, and higher anxiety (45 vs 23.3). Additionally, they had a higher average fatigue score, 42.14 vs 32.2. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Maternal-fetal complications affected 74.2% of patients in the first group vs 42% (P<0.02).

Conclusion: Targeted interventions, such as patient education, as well as improvement in the monitoring and management of thyroid disorders during pregnancy, could contribute to improving the quality of life in this population.