A study of relation between thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus among cases attending a tertiary carehospital of South Karnataka

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases are two common endocrinopathies seen in the general population. The aim of the present study was to study the relation between thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus among the diabetic patients attending Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case control study was conducted among 124 diabetic patients who attended Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, a tertiary referral hospital of south Karnataka. The diabetic patients with normal thyroid functions were considered as control subjects and diabetic patients with abnormal thyroid functions as cases. Results: The proportion of hypothyroidism among diabetic females was higher than in males in the study population. There was a significant risk for development of hypertension among the diabetic patients having thyroid dysfunction. There was no significant association between diabetic complications and thyroid dysfunction. There was no significant association between thyroid dysfunction and lipid profile, protein and creatinine levels in diabetic patients. Conclusion: The ability to diagnose and treat unsuspected thyroid dysfunction in diabetic populations may result in better control of the diabetes, hypertension as well as of the dyslipidaemic states,thereby greatly enhancing the quality of life.