Hypothyroidism among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Visiting Outpatient Department of Internal Medicine of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes-thyroid relationship is said to be bidirectional. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus increase free thyroxine but decrease free triiodothyronine and thyroid-releasing hormone synthesis. Thyroid dysfunction may in turn impose an adverse effect on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Undetected thyroid dysfunction can worsen glycemic control and predispose type 2 diabetes mellitus patients to cardiovascular and other diabetes-related complications. Recognition and timely treatment of thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients can delay diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of hypothyroidism among type 2 diabetic patients visiting the outpatient Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 17 April 2021 to 5 September 2021 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 130120202). A total of 384 type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited for the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS: Among 384 patients, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was found in 127 (33.07%) (28.3637.78, 95% Confidence Interval). Among them, 56 (44.09%) were male and 71 (55.90%) were female. The mean age was 55.17±7.53 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher than in the other studies done in similar settings.