FREQUENCY OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS PRESENTING TO SAIDU GROUP OF TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is a common comorbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), potentially exacerbating metabolic imbalance and complicating disease management. Early identification of thyroid abnormalities can help optimize clinical outcomes in diabetic patients. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of thyroid dysfunction among patients with T2DM presenting to Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat, and to assess its association with demographic and clinical factors such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and hypertension. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Setting: Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 09 April 2023 to 09 October 2023. Methods: 222 patients aged 18–70 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >6.5%) were enrolled. Thyroid dysfunction was assessed via thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, with hypothyroidism defined as TSH >4.5 mU/L and hyperthyroidism as TSH <0.4 mU/L. Demographic and clinical variables, including age, gender, BMI, and hypertension status, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with chi-square tests used to assess associations. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 46.60 ± 14.03 years, with a majority being male (55.9%). Thyroid dysfunction was observed in 11.7% of patients. A significantly higher frequency of dysfunction was found in patients aged >50 years (73.1%, p=0.001), females (61.5%, p=0.05), and those with elevated BMI >24.9 kg/m² (76.9%, p=0.001). No significant association was found with hypertension. Conclusion: The frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients with T2DM was 11.7%, with significant associations observed with older age, female gender, and elevated BMI. Routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients, especially those with these risk factors, is recommended to improve clinical management.