Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in the Population of West Bokaro Coal Mine Area, Jharkhand: A Hospital-Based Observational Study

Background Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder worldwide. Studies on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in different geographical territories of India are sparse. Data on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in India's coal mine areas are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in the adult population living in the coal mine areas of West Bokaro, Jharkhand, India. Methods In total, 1484 individuals of both sexes attending the outpatient department (OPD) of Tata Central Hospital, West Bokaro, Jharkhand, with varied symptoms were screened for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels from January 2021 to February 2022. The age of the study participants ranged from 15 to 80 years. Results In total, 366 participants had hypothyroidism (subclinical as well as overt). The prevalence of hypothyroidism was greater in women than in men. Among the 366 patients with hypothyroidism, 311 were women and 55 were men, and the ratio was 5.5:1. The percentage of the population having hypothyroidism was 24% in this study, which is higher than that reported in other parts of India; however, our results are similar to those of a study conducted in Assam in 2017. Among patients with high TSH levels, 47%, 25%, and 19% had TSH in the range of 5.6-7.5, 7.6-10.6, and 10.6-20 μU/mL, respectively. Conclusions Subclinical and overt hypothyroidism are common in eastern India. Patients with undiagnosed fatigue and weight gain must be screened for TSH levels. Hypothyroidism is no longer a rarity, and coal mine areas are no exception to this phenomenon. A population‑based epidemiological study of thyroid disorders in coal mine areas is an urgent need.