FREQUENCY OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH GLYCEMIC CONTROL AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ATTENDING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS IN LAHORE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/xmb9qw54Keywords:
Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control; Pakistan; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Function Tests.Abstract
Background: Thyroid dysfunction and type 2 diabetes mellitus are common endocrine disorders that may coexist and influence metabolic control. Altered thyroid hormone status can affect insulin sensitivity, hepatic glucose output and peripheral glucose utilization, making thyroid dysfunction clinically relevant in diabetic patients with poor glycemic control.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and assess its association with glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending tertiary care hospitals in Lahore.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted over six months, from October 2025 to March 2026, at selected tertiary care hospitals in Lahore. A total of 275 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled through consecutive non-probability sampling. Demographic and clinical data were recorded using a structured proforma. Glycemic control was assessed by HbA1c and categorized as good control when HbA1c was <7.0% and poor control when HbA1c was ≥7.0%. Thyroid function was evaluated using serum TSH, free T4 and free T3. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression were applied, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 52.84 ± 9.61 years, and 153 (55.6%) were female. Overall thyroid dysfunction was found in 72 (26.2%) patients. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common abnormality, observed in 39 (14.2%) patients, followed by overt hypothyroidism in 18 (6.5%). Poor glycemic control was present in 197 (71.6%) patients. Thyroid dysfunction was significantly more frequent among patients with poor glycemic control than those with good control (83.3% vs. 16.7%; p=0.011). Mean HbA1c was higher among patients with thyroid dysfunction than euthyroid patients (9.10 ± 1.61% vs. 7.96 ± 1.37%; p<0.001). TSH showed a positive correlation with HbA1c (r=0.33; p<0.001). After adjustment, thyroid dysfunction remained significantly associated with poor glycemic control (AOR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.16–4.71; p=0.018).
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction was frequent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with subclinical hypothyroidism being the predominant abnormality. Its significant association with poor glycemic control supports timely thyroid function assessment in diabetic patients, particularly those with uncontrolled HbA1c.
Keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control; Pakistan; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Function Tests.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Sohaib Akbar, Dr. Kashif Aziz Ahmad , Dr Ambreen Asif , Dr Rabea Rashed , Dr Umair Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr Huma Iqbal (Author)
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