article · Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences
Diabetes mellitus and thyroid dysfunction are common endocrine disorders that frequently interact. A cross-sectional study in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria, evaluated thyroid gland volume using ultrasound and assessed thyroid function in 85 adult diabetic patients without overt thyroid disease, comparing them with 85 healthy controls. The diabetic participants had a significantly higher mean thyroid volume of 12.9 cubic centimetres compared to 8.76 cubic centimetres in controls. Levels of thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine did not differ significantly between the groups. Furthermore, thyroid volume did not correlate significantly with hormone levels among the diabetic participants, though it correlated positively with body mass index, body surface area, and weight. The results demonstrate that while thyroid volume is enlarged in diabetic patients, ultrasound-measured volume does not directly indicate altered thyroid hormone function.
Diabetes and thyroid conditions often co-exist and influence general metabolic health. Understanding that diabetic individuals frequently exhibit enlarged thyroid glands without corresponding shifts in hormone levels helps healthcare professionals interpret ultrasound imaging accurately. This awareness prevents clinicians from assuming hormonal dysfunction based solely on anatomical gland enlargement in patients living with diabetes.
This observational study provides baseline clinical evidence relevant to radiologists and endocrinologists managing diabetic care. The abstract does not present a proprietary device or commercial diagnostic tool, representing early-stage clinical research. However, the findings could eventually inform standard diagnostic workflows and ultrasound screening protocols for assessing endocrine complications in diabetic patients once validated across wider clinical populations.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction (TD) are the most common endocrine disorders encountered in the general population. Patients with DM are at increased risk of developing thyroid dysfunction. Insulin resistance states may increase thyroid gland volume, which can lead to thyroid dysfunction and, consequently, poor glycemic control. Traditionally, thyroid volume has been estimated clinically. However, recent reports indicate thyroid gland ultrasonography is a more precise method of determining the gland volume. Objective: This study aimed to sonographically assess thyroid gland volume and correlate it with thyroid function in adult diabetic patients without overt thyroid dysfunction and compare the same with apparently healthy adults in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology and Chemical Pathology Departments from April 2021 to October 2022. Eighty-five diabetic subjects aged 25 to 78 years and an equal number of age and sex matched apparently healthy controls were consecutively selected for this study using simple random sampling. After documenting the age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) of the study subjects, their thyroid volumes were assessed using a Versana Essential ultrasound scan machine equipped with a 7.5MHz linear transducer. Free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values were also estimated using analysis kits manufactured by Monobind Inc. of USA. Results: The mean thyroid volume was higher in the diabetics (12.9 ± 8.7 cm3) group than in controls (8.76 ± 2.91 cm3), and it was statistically significant (P=0.0001). The levels of TSH and FT4 were not significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls (p = 0.122; 95% CI = -0.127-1.073) and (p = 0.277; 95% CI = -0.063-0.219), respectively. Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (1.2%) was the common thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients. There was no statistically significant correlation between total thyroid volume and TSH (r = -0.069, p = 0.531) in the diabetic patients. No significant correlation was found between total thyroid volume and FT4 (r = -0.042, p = 0.704) in the diabetic patients. A significant correlation was found between total thyroid volume and BMI, BSA, and weight (r =0.321, p =0.001; r =0.247, p=0.001; r =0.332, p =0.001).Conclusions: The results revealed that patients with diabetes without overt thyroid dysfunction have significantly increased thyroid volume, and some of them with sub-clinical thyroid hormone levels. Furthermore, there is no significant correlation between ultrasonographically determined thyroid volumes with thyroid function. Sub-clinical hyperthyroidism was the most common thyroid disorder and was found to be higher in females.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.36020/kjms.2024.1802.007
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
