Evaluation of the frequency and patterns of thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid dysfunction have a degree of close association, and each of them affects the other. Due to the associated cardiovascular events, MetS has increased morbidity and mortality. The study tried to detect the frequency of thyroid function in patients with MetS. This is a case control study that recruited 100 patients with MetS and 100 healthy control subjects. Patients with MetS had significantly higher body mass index and waist circumference. Also, frequency of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in MetS group (32% vs. 9%; P<0.001). The most frequent form of thyroid dysfunction was subclinical hypothyroidism: 21% of the MetS group and 6% of the control group. Out of the studied patients with MetS, 13 (13%) patients had three criteria, 55 (55%) patients had four criteria, and 32 (32%) patients had five criteria for MetS. Patients with MetS are vulnerable to develop thyroid dysfunction mainly subclinical hypothyroidism. So, it is recommended to perform regular screening for those patients as regard thyroid dysfunction.