Frequency of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract

Objective: To Determine the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in acute decompensated heart failure patients.

Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Cardiology Department, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Bannu over a period of 12 months from August 2018 to July 2019.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-eight (n=178) adult patients above eighteen years of age admitted to cardiology department with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) were enrolled in the study. All the patients were evaluated for subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) through lab investigations and frequency of SH was estimated.

Results: A Total of 178 patients with ADHF were evaluated for SH, out of which 61.8% (n=110) were male and 38.2% (n=68) were females. Mean age of patients was 54.4±12.3 years. The mean TSH, Free T4 and LVEF (%) were 3.6± 2.91, 1.3±0.3 and 35.9±4.8, respectively. Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 25.8% (n=46) of patients. The most frequent 28.9% (n=26) age group was 18-50 yrs. and majority of them were female 26.5% (n=18) patients. SH was more frequently 28.7% (n=39) found in patients having LVEF <35% with no statistical significance (p=0.12).

Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism was frequently (almost 1/4^th) determined in patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. We recommend screening of all the patients presenting with ADHF on routine basis.