Pattern of thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome and its relationship with components of metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid dysfunction (TD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are known risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). TD is risk factor for ASCVD mediated by the effects of thyroid hormones on lipid metabolism and blood pressure hence the components of MetS. It is possible that coexistence of these two disease entities and unrecognized TD in patients with MetS might substantially increase ASCVD risk. Moreover, little is known about the relationship between TD and the components of MetS. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the pattern of TD in patients with MetS and its relationship with components of the MetS.


METHODS
A total of 358 previously diagnosed patients with MetS were recruited in the study. The thyroid function test parameters were measured to classify TD at Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16.0 to evaluate pattern and relationship.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of TD in patients with MetS was 31.84% with high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (29.32%). We found no evidence of a relationship between TD and components of MetS, although there was significant difference in waist circumference between four groups of TD.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with MetS had subclinical hypothyroidism greatly. Although there was no evidence of any relationship between thyroid status and all components of MetS, TD should be taken into account when evaluating and treating patients with MetS to reduce the impending risk.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Prabin
P
Gyawali
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Jyoti Shrestha
JS
Takanche
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Raj Kumar
RK
Shrestha
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Prem
P
Bhattarai
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Kishor
K
Khanal
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Prabodh
P
Risal
Department of Internal Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Rajendra
R
Koju
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk; Metabolic syndrome; Subclinical hypothyroidism; Thyroid dysfunction