ECE2024 Eposter Presentations Thyroid (198 abstracts)
1Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia; 2Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Sfax, Tunisia; 3Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Sfax, Tunisia
Introduction: Overt hyperthyroidism is the result of excessive production of thyroid hormones. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical characteristics and the diagnosis of certainty is made by hormone assay, combining low TSH with increased thyroid hormones. If the hyperthyroidism is left untreated, symptoms progress and can lead to complications that may jeopardize life prognosis.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective study involving 29 patients with primary hyperthyroidism was conducted. We identified various complications associated with hyperthyroidism.
Results: We enrolled 29 patients with overt hyperthyroidism, among which 18 women and 11 men. The mean age at diagnosis was 35.5 years. Weight loss, tremor and hypersudation were the most frequent clinical findings. In all patients, we found a goitre, while exophthalmos was found in only 11 patients. The mean TSH level was 0.14 μUI/l. The mean free T4 level was 54.68 pmol/l. Graves disease was the most common diagnosis in our study. The TSH-receptor antibodies (TrAb), the thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and the thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were positive in 19, 27 and 14 patients respectively. Nineteen patients presented with complications. The most frequent complications were metabolic such as dyslipidaemia and poorly controlled diabetes in 9 patients each, as well as haematological complications such as anaemia in 9 cases as well. Neuromuscular complications, that were observed in 5 patients included amyotrophy of the lower limbs and thyrotoxic myopathy and the cardiovascular complication was cardiothyreosis and arrhythmia by atrial fibrillation in 5 patients. Neuropsychaitric complications were found in 2 patients and liver failure in one patient.
Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism is a prevalent thyroid condition characterized by an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Since thyroid hormone exerts physiological effects on various organ systems, the symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism encompass manifestations affecting multiple organs. If hyperthyroidism is not treated or managed properly, it can escalate into a severe condition known as a thyroid storm. Prolonged untreated or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism are linked to a heightened risk of acute cardiovascular events, atrial fibrillation, ischemic stroke and increased mortality.