Subclinical Hypothyroidism among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Admitted to Nephrology Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease is a condition, which worsens the quality of life in many ways including thyroid disorder in many cases. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism among chronic kidney disease patients admitted to the Nephrology Department of a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on the patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at a tertiary care hospital from 15 May 2022 to 10 October 2022 after getting ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 621/2022). Pre-designed proforma was used to collect demographic data like age, sex, height and weight. Blood samples of the patients were analysed for thyroid function tests (triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone levels) by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Convenience sampling was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 156 study participants with chronic kidney disease, subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 34 (21.79%) (15.31-28.27, 95% Confidence Interval) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism amongst chronic kidney disease patients was found to be lower than in other similar studies conducted in similar settings.