Ajay Dnyaneshwar Athawale1, Jayant L. Pednekar2, Sangeeta J. Pednekar3
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction have long term sequalae
on cardiovascular health. The present study was conducted to assess the spectrum
of abnormalities in patients of type 2 DM with thyroid disorders.
METHODS
This case-control study included 52 patients of type 2 DM with thyroid dysfunction
(cases) and 52 patients of type 2 DM without thyroid dysfunction (controls).
Laboratory investigations like thyroid profile, lipid profile and glycosylated
haemoglobin were measured for all the patients.
RESULTS
Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid abnormality. Mean body
mass index (BMI) was found to be similar in the two patient groups. We observed
a higher mean HbA1c levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to
those without thyroid dysfunction (8.75% vs 7.16%, P value < 0.01). Among the
lipid profile parameters, mean triglyceride levels and total cholesterol levels were
also found to be significantly higher in patients with thyroid dysfunction as
compared to those without thyroid dysfunction. Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio
(UPCR) was also found to be significantly higher among patients with thyroid
dysfunction. Furthermore, we observed mean BMI, HbA1c, mean total cholesterol
and UPCR to be significantly higher among cases with hypothyroidism as compared
to those with hyperthyroidism. Mean triglyceride levels were similar in the two
patient groups.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend that all type 2 DM patients should have a baseline evaluation of
thyroid function.
