Correlation of Hypothyroidism with Age and Comorbidities Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder caused by thyroid dysfunction found to be more prevalent globally in females than in males. Young females are more prone to subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). The study aimed to estimate the different types of hypothyroidism based on the clinical profile of thyroid hormone and to detect various comorbidities in correlation with age in women. In female patients with hypothyroidism, there is a significant association between age groups and the type of hypothyroidism (subclinical, clinical, overt), with younger age groups showing a higher prevalence of SCH. Additionally, comorbidities, such as polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOD), are more prevalent in hypothyroidism patients, particularly in those with SCH. Materials and Methods A prospective cross-sectional study executed in a tertiary care hospital for one year with an inclusion of female hypothyroid patients above 18 years of age. An informed written consent form was received from each patient with clarification of the protocol. Results A total of 44.6% women were in the 18–28 years of age group (young females) and 42.8% of women with SCH. PCOD (38.2%) was a predominant comorbid condition among hypothyroidism women. In the age group of 18–28 years, there were significantly more patients 114 (81.4%) with SCH ( p < 0.01) than those with clinical 22 (18.4%) and overt hypothyroidism 10 (14.7%). The hypothyroidism of women with PCOD 95 (67.8%) was significantly ( p < 0.01) more in subclinical than clinical 28 (23.5%) and overt hypothyroidism 2 (2.9%). Conclusion Thyroid dysfunction is uncertain in females, bulges to complications of maternal and fetal outcomes, and is associated with other comorbidities, leading to an increase in the mortality rate. Hypothyroidism is a growing burden for other comorbidities. Pharmaceutical care by healthcare professionals is to be adopted with prompt diagnostic and screening techniques.