The status of thyroid disorders among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Guilan province, Iran

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid disorders and their associated risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of thyroid disorders. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and risk factors associated with thyroid disorders were evaluated by comparing diabetic patients with and without thyroid dysfunction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, with the level of significance set at P < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of patients was 54.24 ± 9.73 years, and 72.6 % (n = 162) were female. The prevalence of thyroid disorders among patients with T2DM was 61.9 %, with hypothyroidism being the most common (45.7 %). Cardiovascular disease was the most frequent diabetes-related complication (43.9 %), while nephropathy had the lowest prevalence (40.8 %). Neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease were significantly more frequent in patients with thyroid disorders compared to those without (P < 0.05). A family history of thyroid disease was present in 40.4 % of patients, and 17.0 % were positive for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Thyroid disorders were more prevalent in females (67.9 %) compared to males (45.9 %) (P = 0.003). Female gender and a positive family history were significant risk factors for developing thyroid disorders (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that female gender and a positive family history of thyroid disease are significant predictors of thyroid dysfunction in patients with T2DM. These findings underscore the need for routine screening for thyroid disorders in this patient population.