Comparative Sonographic Assessment of Thyroid Volume in Adult Diabetics and Nondiabetics in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and Thyroid disorders are known to mutually influence each other. Thyroid dysfunction especially when undiagnosed has a negative impact on metabolic control, likewise, increased levels of insulin in insulin resistance has a proliferative effect on thyroid tissue.

Aims: The study aimed to sonographically measure and compare Thyroid gland volume (TV) in adults with diabetes and apparently healthy subjects, as well as determine the effect of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and anthropometry on TV.

Patients, Materials and Methods: This was a casecontrolled study carried out over 6 months in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, from April to September 2019, among 70 adult diabetics and an equal number of non-diabetics. The thyroid volume was correlated with gender, age, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, duration of diabetes, TSH and HbA1c.

Results: The overall mean TV was higher in diabetics (6.8 ± 3.5cm3 versus 6.3 ± 2.9cm3). Among those with diabetes, TV was significantly higher in those with poor glycemic control (p=0.020). A positive correlation was found between TV and duration of diabetes and height. The mean thyroid volume was higher among the male population of both groups. An equal number of subjects had abnormal (high) TSH levels in both study arms. There was no correlation between TV and most of the anthropometric indices.

Conclusion: Sonographic thyroid volume is higher among diabetics and it has a positive correlation with gender, height, duration of diabetes and HbA1c.