[Hypothyroidism: clinical and economical implications in a health area].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical, biochemical and epidemiological characteristics in patients with hypothyroidism, substitutive dose and annual direct costs, in a health area.


METHODS
Seventy five patients attended in a health area were included in the review. Data was divided in epidemiological, biochemical, clinics and economics.


RESULTS
A 94.7% were females and 5.3% males, with an average age of 52.07 + 16.5 years. The most frequent disease was Thyroiditis of Hashimoto 48% and atrophic thyroiditis 46.6%. Average value of TSH was 17.57 + 40.8 mUI/ml and TPO 629.3 + 1049 UI/ml and Ac TG 532.1 + 1028 UI/ml. A 58.7% of patients had goiter, only evident 2.6%. The average dose of T4 was 81 + 53.5 mg/day. The average number of visits was 2.67 + 1.08. The highest cost was due to specialists visit 160 + 65 euros with a total average cost of 212.9 + 81.5 euros. Levels of TPO was higher in T. Hashimoto, with a higher number of visits and costs.


CONCLUSIONS
The most prevalent disease was autoimmune (T Hashimoto and atrophic thyroiditis) with higher levels of TPO in Hashimoto. Total cost is higher in T. Hashimoto.
de Luis Román
D
D
Unidad de Endocrinología y Nutrición Clínica, Unidad de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital del Río Hortega, Instituto de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Valladolid. dadluis@yahoo.es
González Peláez
J L
JL
Aller
R
R
González Sagredo
M
M
Cuellar
L
L
Terroba
M C
MC
D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003940:Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy
D013956:Antithyroid Agents