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Mar 28, 2025Keywords:
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Material submitted for publication in the Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (JEMDSA) is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. JEMDSA reserves copyright of the material published. Neither JEMDSA nor the Publisher may be held responsible for statements made by the authors.
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Quality of life in participants with primary hypothyroidism on treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Abstract
Background: Many participants living with hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine continue to experience challenges with their physical, social, cognitive, and psychological functions. These symptoms may lead to poor quality of life (QoL).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the health-related QoL in participants living with hypothyroidism on levothyroxine therapy and to describe the association between QoL in participants living with hypothyroidism on levothyroxine therapy and various demographic and treatment parameters.
Methods: The disease-specific ThyPRO instrument was used to measure the QoL in treated hypothyroid participants at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH). The study recruited 127 participants with primary hypothyroidism on levothyroxine therapy for more than six months, who attended the clinic from 1 January 2021 until 30 September 2021. ThyPRO contains 84 items, summarised in 13 scales.
Results: Of the 127 participants, the average Overall QoL was 31.4%. The highest ThyPRO scores were recorded for vitality (49.9%), difficulty in coping with the mood (38.5%), tiredness (37.5%), nervousness, and tension (33.3%). No negative impact on mean ThyPRO scores was recorded for sex life among all the respondents. Indian and White descent participants had poorer ThyPRO scores of 44.4% and 39.3%, respectively, as compared with Black participants at 30.7% and mixed origin at 26.0%. Smokers had a poorer ThyPRO score of 40.1% compared with 30.3% among non-smokers. Participants who were on treatment for less than one year had poorer ThyPRO scores of 61.0% as compared with 29.4% of those who received treatment for longer (between one year and four years) and 31.1% for more than five years.
Conclusion: Participants who received treatment for an extended period had a better QoL. It is recommend to use ThyPRO to assess the health-related QoL in treated hypothyroid patients for future clinical research and good clinical practice.
