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Abstract

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is known to affect lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Dyslipidemia is frequently observed in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients, but its prevalence and associated risk factors vary across populations. Understanding this association can help optimize management strategies for patients with thyroid disorders. Objective: To determine the frequency of dyslipidemia in patients with thyroid dysfunction and to explore its association with demographic and clinical factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of General Medicine, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. Duration of Study: Six months (21-03-2024 to 21-09-2024). Methods: 130 patients aged 20–70 with thyroid dysfunction were included using consecutive non-probability sampling. Thyroid dysfunction was defined as hyperthyroidism (serum TSH <0.4 mU/L) or hypothyroidism (serum TSH >4.5 mU/L). Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular or renal diseases, as well as pregnant or lactating women, were excluded. Lipid profiles were assessed, and the frequency of dyslipidemia was determined. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and associations between dyslipidemia and demographic/clinical factors were evaluated using the Chi-square test. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia among patients with thyroid dysfunction was 38.5%. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with comorbidities such as hypertension (66% in dyslipidemic vs. 26.2% in non-dyslipidemic patients, p<0.05) and diabetes (66% vs. 27.5%, p<0.05). The highest prevalence of dyslipidemia was observed in older adults (51–70 years, 62%). A slight female predominance (55.4%) was noted, aligning with the higher prevalence of thyroid disorders in women. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is common in patients with thyroid dysfunction, particularly among older individuals and those with hypertension or diabetes. These findings highlight the need for routine lipid screening and early intervention in patients with thyroid disorders to mitigate cardiovascular risks.