DefinePK

Research Objective

To evaluate the influence of thyroid hormones and the effect of treatment choice on the quality of life of hyperthyroid patients visiting or admitted in tertiary healthcare centers in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at Rafae Aam General Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from March 2022 to June 2022. Data on socio-demographic and clinical details were collected using a pre-tested written questionnaire. The Brazilian version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life. Patients aged 18-65 years receiving treatment for thyroid disorders were included, with specific exclusion criteria. Sample size was calculated to be 337. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23, with findings expressed as frequencies, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. The student's t-test was used for group comparisons, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Study Design: Cross-sectional"] --> B["Setting: Rafae Aam General Hospital, Karachi"];
    B --> C["Period: March 2022 - June 2022"];
    C --> D["Participant Recruitment: 337 patients"];
    D --> E["Data Collection: Questionnaire - Socio-demographic & Clinical"];
    E --> F["QoL Assessment: SF-36 Questionnaire"];
    F --> G["Data Analysis: SPSS v23, t-test"];
    G --> H["Results & Conclusion"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights that hyperthyroidism significantly impacts the quality of life, especially in physical and emotional domains, consistent with other research. The high prevalence of thyroid disorders in females was also observed. While thyroid hormone levels are important, they do not solely reflect the patient's overall well-being or treatment success, as quality of life remains compromised in hyperthyroid patients.

Key Findings

Out of 337 participants, 272 (80.7%) were euthyroid and 65 (19.3%) were hyperthyroid. Hyperthyroid patients showed a significantly greater impairment in quality of life, particularly in physical functioning (59.62 vs. 83.11; p<0.05) and emotional functioning (61.54 vs. 82.81; p<0.05) compared to euthyroid patients. Fatigue, anxiety, and emotional reactivity were reported as the most problematic clinical findings by hyperthyroid patients.

Conclusion

Hyperthyroid patients experience a significant impairment in their quality of life, particularly in physical and emotional aspects. The quality of life of hyperthyroid patients is compromised irrespective of their serum thyroid hormone levels, suggesting that treatment success should not be solely measured by hormonal levels.

Fact Check

1. Number of Participants: The study included a total of 337 participants. (Confirmed in Results section).
2. Prevalence of Hyperthyroidism: Based on clinical examination, 65 out of 337 patients (19.3%) were found to be hyperthyroid. (Confirmed in Results section).
3. Study Period: The study was conducted from March 2022 to June 2022. (Confirmed in Methodology section).

Mind Map