Prevalence of Hypothyroidism and Its Epidemiological Parameters among the Adults in Selected Urban Areas of Amritsar

The endocrine system is vital in orchestrating cellular interactions, metabolism, growth and senescence. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the developed world is about 4-5 percent, and subclinical hypothyroidism is 4-15 percent. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in India, affecting one in ten adults. Although millions of men experience thyroid dysfunction, women are ten times more likely to have a thyroid imbalance. A descriptive longitudinal study was adopted among 400 adults residing in Kitta, a community area under SGRDUHS. Data was collected from adults (baseline datasheet, clinical variables, dietary and lifestyle characteristics) through simple random sampling. Thyroid screening was done using the Zulewski clinical score of hypothyroidism. The present study findings revealed an overall prevalence of hypothyroidism of 12 percent. There was highly significant association of hypothyroidism with age, etc.