Hypothyroidism: What Do Our Patients Know? (About 140 Cases)

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a frequent and generally chronic pathology. Hypothyroid patients, particularly women of childbearing age, the elderly and/or cardiac patients, need to have a minimum level of knowledge of their pathology. The aim of our study was to assess the level of knowledge of a group of hypothyroid patients. The study involved 140 hypothyroid patients over a period of 06 months. The evaluation was carried out using a questionnaire, and the responses were recorded and analyzed using Excel software. 88.7% of patients knew that they had a hypofunctioning thyroid gland, with 84% identifying the cause of hypothyroidism. 85% knew how to take L-Thyroxine, 22% had an idea of the notion of drug interactions, 2% knew the signs of overdosage and only 3% knew the signs of underdosage. In the case of 52 patients of childbearing age, 92% are unaware that pre-conceptional balancing is compulsory, compared with 8% who are already aware of it. Our current survey reveals a significant lack of knowledge among hypothyroid patients, and has enabled us to re-educate this group of patients. Medical prescription must be supported by good therapeutic education, which remains a cornerstone in the management of hypothyroidism.