Thyroid Profile and Factors Associated with Hypothyroidism Among Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients Attending Saint Peter’s Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The emergence of MDR-TB is a global public health problem. Hypothyroidism is one of the severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in MDR-TB patients on treatment. Representative data on hypothyroidism and its associated factors among MDR-TB patients are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine thyroid profiles and associated risk factors among multidrug-resistant TB patients during therapy with anti-MDR-TB regimen in Saint Peter Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January to November 2020. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in MDR-TB patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 162 patients, who were older than 18 years, had bacteriologically confirmed MDR-TB and on treatment for more than one month were enrolled consecutively from the TB registration book. However, critically sick patients and those who were receiving additional drugs known to cause severe ADRs were excluded. Simple descriptive statistics were used to present the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent and dependent variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant in all analyses. RESULTS: Mean age of the study participant was 35.9 ± 13.6 years. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 32 (19.8%). The presence of co-morbidity, being underweight, and prothionamide use were significantly associated with hypothyroidism in MDR-TB patients on treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism occurs commonly among MDR-TB patients. Presence of co-morbidity, being underweight, and prothionamide drug use are the factors associated with hypothyroidism. Monitoring of thyroid function test during MDR-TB treatment and factors associated with hypothyroidism require attention to prevent complication.