Prevalence of Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody in Hypothyroid Patients Visiting Western Regional Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder with autoimmune thyroiditis increasing as a major cause, especially in iodine-sufficient areas. Anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies are important markers of autoimmune thyroid disease. The objective of this study to determine the prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies in hypothyroid patients and their correlation with the type of hypothyroidism, age, gender, and clinical presentation. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 73 hypothyroid patients attending the OPD and medical ward of Western Regional Hospital (WRH), a tertiary care centre in Gandaki Province. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Laboratory assessments included thyroid function tests and anti-TPO levels using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS v27. Results: Among 73 participants (mean age 42.1 ± 12.07 years), 81% were female. Anti-TPO antibodies were positive in 38% of patients. Among patients with overt hypothyroidism, 41% were anti-TPO positive, while 36% of subclinical hypothyroidism patients had anti-TPO positivity. No statistically significant associations were found between anti-TPO status and gender (p=0.821), type of hypothyroidism (p=0.666), or age group (p=0.24). Likewise, the common presenting signs and symptoms did not have statistically significant association with the TPO positivity status. Conclusion: Over one-third of hypothyroid patients had anti-TPO antibody positivity, with a slightly higher prevalence in overt hypothyroidism. However, demographic and clinical variables did not significantly correlate with antibody status.