PREVALENCE OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN URBAN AREAS OF BELAGAVI, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes is a major disease burden in India and we are home to the second largest number of diabetes cases in the world with currently over 74.2 million cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders are highly prevalent disorders in the community. Both have been shown to mutually influence each other. Recognition of this interdependent relationship between thyroid disease and diabetes is of significance in guiding clinicians towards optimal management of both these conditions. Objective: To determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and the risk factors associated with it. Methodology: Data was collected from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients residing in areas under the Urban Health Centre Ashok Nagar and Rukmini Nagar, Belagavi. Study participants were selected based on the selection criteria. Information about socio-demographic profile, risk behaviors, general physical examination, systemic and thyroid examination were collected. Venous blood samples were collected to estimate thyroid profile (T3, T4, TSH), FBS and PPBS. Results: The prevalence of thyroid disorders was 21.58%. Sub-clinical hypothyroidism was more common than other conditions which constituted 13.68% of the thyroid dysfunction in the type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Statistically significant association was observed with factors such as gender, physical activity during leisure time, waist hip ratio and glycemic status with p value less than 0.05. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the presence of thyroid disorder was related with glycemic status of the participants with odds ratio 1.85 (CI, 0.996 – 3.443). Conclusion: This study shows that a significant proportion of type 2 diabetes patients suffer from thyroid dysfunction and screening for the same should be routinely considered, as it is found to be an additional co-morbidity.