OVERT HYPOTHYROIDISM;

FREQUENCY OF COMMON PRESENTATIONS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of common presentations of the overt
hypothyroidism. Study design: Cross sectional study. Setting: This study was conducted at all
OPD’s of peoples’ medical college hospital nawab shah, a tertiary care hospital, from 01-10-2012
to 31-03-2013. Material and methods: This study was conducted at all OPDs of Peoples’
medical college hospital Nawabshah, a tertiary care hospital, from 01-10-2012 to 31-03-2013.
Patients visiting outpatient department (OPD) meeting the inclusion criteria were involved in
study. Inclusive criteria were diagnosed cases of overt hypothyroidism, age 18-60 years and both
gender. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years and more than 60 years and pregnant
women. The collected data was entered and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) software, Version 17. Results: Among 126 patients that had hypothyroidism,
there were 46 males(36.5%) and 80 females(63.5%). Mean age of patients was 37.60 ± 7.54
years. Most of the patients presented with symptoms of cold intolerance (62.7%) dry skin
(61.9%), pedal edema (57.1%), weight gain(56.3%) while rest presented with hair loss (20.6%),
bradycardia (29.4%) & delayed tendon reflexes (27.8%). Overt hypothyroidism was presented in
only 21 (16.7%) patients. Conclusions: The frequency of Hypothyroidism vary in different areas,
and is affected by Socio-demographic, nutritional status, illiteracy level and personal self-care.