Current status of hypothyroidism control in Guangzhou area, China: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND

Hypothyroidism is a significantly harmful condition that severely affects work and daily life. Currently, there is a lack of large-scale investigations into the treatment control status in China. This study aimed to combine a large sample of patients with hypothyroidism in the Guangzhou area to analyze hypothyroidism control rates.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at six tertiary A-grade hospitals in Guangzhou city. On-site questionnaire surveys were administered to randomly sampled outpatients with hypothyroidism (n = 1516) to collect cross-sectional data. The collected data were analyzed to summarize the current status of hypothyroidism control, the composition of hypothyroidism etiology, complications, and their correlation with hypothyroidism control rates in Guangzhou.

RESULTS

The overall control rate of patients with hypothyroidism (with TSH level < 4 mU/L as the standard) was 59.4% (49.2% in males and 61.2% in females). There was a significant correlation between TSH control rate and sex and education. In addition, the TSH control rate after treatment was higher in those aged < 35 years and during the mid-term of pregnancy in pregnant women with hypothyroidism. The control rate of TSH was closely associated with abnormal liver function, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and sleep disorders. Finally, a history of thyroid surgery, type of thyroid surgery, and presence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were correlated with the control rate of TSH.

CONCLUSION

The control rate in patients with hypothyroidism was relatively low in Guangzhou area. Patients with hypothyroidism and clinical characteristics closely associated with poor hypothyroidism control should receive special attention. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.