Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
2 Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
3 Clinical Research Development Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
4 Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
5 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction is common in ESRD patients on hemodialysis and is linked to increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in these patients.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 at the Samin Teb Soroush Dialysis Center and the Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran. A total of 145 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for at least six months were enrolled using convenience sampling. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (T4) levels were measured, and thyroid ultrasonography was performed to detect thyroid nodules. Associations between demographic and clinical variables and thyroid abnormalities were evaluated using the Chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared using the independent-samples t-test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 145 patients (58.6% male, mean age 53.97 ± 15.94 years), 15.2% had hypothyroidism. Among the 120 patients who underwent ultrasound, thyroid nodules were found in 22.5%. Mean TSH was 2.93 ± 2.91 μg/dL, and mean T4 was 7.16 ± 2.64 µg/dL. Hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules were both significantly associated with ischemic heart disease (P = 0.039, P = 0.032). No significant associations were found with age, gender, diabetes, BMI, or family history.
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction and nodules are common in hemodialysis patients, particularly those with ischemic heart disease. Regular screening may help reduce complications and improve outcomes, especially in transplant candidates.
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