Hypothyroidism linked to high comorbidities and adverse Quality of Life

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-11-20T02:30:42+05:30 | Updated On 20 Nov 2023 2:31 AM IST

A recent study carried out by Hanneke and colleagues assessed the intricate relationship between hypothyroidism and overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Hypothyroidism, marked by an underactive thyroid often requiring thyroid hormone (TH) supplementation, has long been associated with a diminished HRQoL. However, this comprehensive investigation published in Endocrine Connections reveal that individuals with hypothyroidism, particularly those facing impaired HRQoL, exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of comorbid disorders.

The study involved 14,720 participants from the population-based Lifelines cohort, unfolded striking insights. Of the 4,537 individuals using TH, 85% showcased the presence of at least one affected disease domain, emphasizing the association between hypothyroidism and an increased risk of comorbidities. This prevalence was notably higher compared to the 71% observed in non-users.

TH users were found to have a higher odds ratio for 13 out of 14 affected disease domains, even after accounting for age and sex. Moreover, a multivariable model demonstrated a significant association between TH use and decreased HRQoL across six out of eight dimensions.

Crucially, the study uncovered that the impact of hypothyroidism on HRQoL is not uniform. While the presence of comorbidities exacerbated the decline in HRQoL, no significant interactions between TH use and affected disease domains were noted.

This study underscores the importance a holistic approach to manage hypothyroidism. As TH users with impaired HRQoL were found to have a more extensive burden of comorbidity, this highlights the importance of addressing thyroid disorders in tandem with associated health conditions. The findings not only deepen our understanding of the complexities surrounding hypothyroidism but also pave the way for more nuanced and effective interventions, signaling a paradigm shift in the approach to thyroid health.

Source:

Wouters, H. J. C. M., Wolffenbuttel, B. H. R., Muller Kobold, A. C., Links, T. P., Huls, G., & van der Klauw, M. M. (2023). Hypothyroidism, comorbidity and health-related quality of life: a population-based study. In Endocrine Connections (Vol. 12, Issue 12). Bioscientifica. https://doi.org/10.1530/ec-23-0266

Endocrine Connectionshypothyroidismthyroid hormone supplementation

Source : Endocrine Connections

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751