Prevalence and Associated Factors of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Clinical Populations in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is a significant endocrine burden with profound implications for systemic health; however, consolidated epidemiological data within the clinical landscape of Bangladesh remain sparse. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and identify clinical factors associated with TD among Bangladeshi clinical populations using data published between 2010 and 2025. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PROSPERO registration (CRD42025116168), six electronic databases were searched without language restrictions. Data from clinical populations (aged ≥12 years) were synthesized using a random‐effects model. Subgroup analysis and univariable random‐effects meta‐regression were employed to explore drivers of heterogeneity, whereas publication bias was assessed via Peters’ regression test. The pooled prevalence of TD was 23.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.90–30.72) across clinically heterogeneous populations, with hypothyroidism identified as the predominant abnormality (20.55%) over hyperthyroidism (4.93%). Meta‐regression identified clinical profile as the factor most strongly associated with heterogeneity, revealing that patients with metabolic‐inflammatory disorders (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome) exhibited a markedly higher prevalence (34.77%) than endocrine‐reproductive groups (19.14%). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical assessments (thyroid‐stimulating hormone [TSH] with free hormones) yielded higher prevalence estimates (28.31%) than limited TSH‐only testing (18.31%). Peters’ regression test showed no significant asymmetry ( p = 0.384), though this should be interpreted cautiously given the small number of studies ( k = 8). These results underscore a critical “dual burden” of endocrine and systemic disease in Bangladesh. The high prevalence within metabolic high‐risk groups necessitates the integration of routine, comprehensive thyroid screening into standard clinical management protocols to optimize endocrine care and mitigate long‐term systemic complications.