Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in an Institution Providing Health Services in Medellin-Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid hormones regulate numerous metabolic processes. Therefore, any alteration in their synthesis or function has important health implications. Despite the importance of thyroid disorders, there are few studies in Colombia about the prevalence of these diseases. Objective: To determine the prevalence of thyroid function alterations in a health care institution in Medellin-Colombia, and their distribution according to sex and age. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study in a population of 5.962 subjects, using secondary information. Summary and frequency measurements were done. Associations between the variables were evaluated with chi-square and t-student´s tests, while the magnitude of the association was determined with prevalence ratios and a confidence interval of 95%. Result: The prevalence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) alterations was 24.5%, 19% of people had a high concentration of this hormone, being statistically higher in women. The prevalence of alterations in thyroid profile T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) was 8%, from which 5.1% corresponded to subclinical hypothyroidism, 1.3% to subclinical hyperthyroidism, 0.7% to primary hyperthyroidism and 0.1% to central hyperthyroidism. Conclusion: The population studied had a high prevalence of alterations in TSH concentrations, being higher in women than in men. It is important that health care institutions design strategies for the control and monitoring of these alterations. Moreover, it is necessary to study thyroid profile alterations in the general population.