Prevalence, patterns and predictors of thyroid dysfunction among adult patients with diabetes mellitus attending Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and its consequences increase morbidity and mortality. Despite the significant consequences of thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus on each other reported in literature, there is lack of information about the prevalence, patterns and predictors of thyroid dysfunction among adult diabetics in Uganda. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence, patterns and predictors of thyroid dysfunction among adult patients with diabetes mellitus attending Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FPRRH). Methods This was a cross sectional study conducted at FPRRH between August and October 2023. 385 Adult patients with diabetes mellitus were enrolled and assessed for thyroid dysfunction by measuring the free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed if any of the 3 was not in the normal ranges. The predictors of thyroid dysfunction were determined using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 26. Results Among the 385 patients enrolled, majority were female with a mean age of 54.4 (SD = 15.8) years. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 22.1% (95% CI = 17.7–26.2%). The commonest pattern of thyroid dysfunction was subclinical hypothyroidism 42 (49.4%), followed by clinical hypothyroidism 22(25.9%), subclinical hyperthyroidism 13 (15.3%) and clinical hyperthyroidism 8 (9.4%). The significant independent predictors of thyroid dysfunction were duration of DM ≥ 6 years (aOR = 1.874, P = 0.003), presence of DM complications peripheral neuropathy (aOR = 3.034, P < 0.001) and diabetic foot (aOR = 5.730, P < 0.001) and having a high fasting blood sugar (aOR = 1.729, P = 0.017). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was high. Routine screening for thyroid dysfunction should be done among adult patients with diabetes mellitus during their diabetes clinic in order to decrease the complications through early diagnosis and treatment.