Burden of thyroid disease in Libyan diabetic patients: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus are interrelated endocrine disorders that share a complex relationship. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in glucose metabolism, while diabetes mellitus (DM) can adversely affect thyroid function. The coexistence of both conditions complicates management and affects prognosis. Moreover, thyroid disease is often observed as a comorbidity in diabetic patients, further complicating their diabetes management and impacting health outcomes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients. It also analyzes the types and patterns of thyroid dysfunction among diabetic subgroups, evaluates demographic and clinical correlates of thyroid disorders in these patients, and examines associations with factors such as diabetes duration and demographic variables. The study comprised 101 Libyan patients, with data collected through clinical assessments, patient interviews, and laboratory tests, including thyroid function tests. Statistical analyses employed descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to identify relationships between variables. The gender distribution was significantly skewed towards females, making up 93.1% of the sample, with a mean age of 55.8 years. Most patients had DM Type II, followed by pre-diabetes, DM I, and secondary DM. Hypothyroidism emerged as the most prevalent thyroid condition, while hyperthyroidism was low. The chi-square test showed no significant results. Hypothyroidism is common among diabetic patients in outpatient departments. These findings underscore the necessity for routine thyroid dysfunction screening in diabetic individuals, emphasizing its role in enhancing patient care and management strategies. This offers valuable insights into the co-occurrence of thyroid disorders and DM, associated comorbidities, and treatment patterns, which can inform clinical management strategies and identify areas for further research.