Delayed Presentation of Large Goitre, A Cross Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To identify the contributing factors which lead to delayed presentation of goitres.

Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery ward 25, from January 2022 to 31^st August 2022.

Methods: All patients presenting to thyroid OPD with a history of thyroid goitre for at least 3 years were included. All data was recorded in a Performa.

Results: Out of 120 participants, 82.5% were male and the rest were females. Fear of surgery (31%) was the most common reason for delayed presentation, followed by advice from hakeen (20%) and advice from friends (12.8%). There was significant correlation between the educational and socio-economic status and time of presentation for intervention giving the p-value of <0.001.

Conclusion: Lack of education regarding the surgical management of thyroid diseases was found to be the most mentioned cause of delayed presentation followed by advice from hakeem/faith healers, peers and physicians.