Analysis on the Association of Prevalence, Gender Differences and Age with Thyroid Diseases
Analysis on the Association of Prevalence, Gender Differences and Age with Thyroid Diseases
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Date
2024-04
Authors
Mukhtar N.
Abdalla O. M.2
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Napata College
Abstract
Introduction
Diseases of the thyroid gland are manifested by qualitative or quantitative alterations in hormone
secretion, enlargement of the thyroid (goiter), or both. Insufficient hormone secretion results in the
syndrome of hypothyroidism or myxedema, in which decreased caloric expenditure
(hypometabolism) is a principle feature. Conversely, excessive secretion of active hormone results
in hypermetabolism and other features of a syndrome termed hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis
(1) .
Materials and Methods
The present study has been designed and conducted to investigate the significance of gender and
age on thyroid diseases. Test results were taken from the records of the Radio Immunoassay
Laboratory at the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Sudan Atomic Energy Commission. The
results were of individuals that have undergone the thyroid function tests T4, T3 and TSH. The
levels of T4, T3 and TSH in blood serum were measured using radioimmunoassay techniques.
Results of the tests were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The total
number of respondents was 550.Anal. On Assoc. of Prev., Gender & Age with Thyroid Dis. Mukhtar et. al.
Results
The distribution of these respondents according to the levels of T4, T3 and TSH revealed that
12.18% of patients showed high levels of T4, 9.64% showed high levels of T3, and 5.09% showed
high levels of TSH. Results also revealed that 3.82% showed low levels of T4, 3.45% showed low
levels of T3 and 3.82% showed low levels of TSH. The present data indicates that 3.82 % of the
patients were affected with hypothyroidism and 12.18% of the patients were affected with
hyperthyroidism.
The data also revealed that the females outnumbered the male subjects in this study. The male
respondents represented 11.09 % of the total number of respondents, while the females represented
88.91 %. The distribution of respondents according to age and sex revealed that the majority of
patients from both sexes lied between the age of 20 and 40. The minority were found at less than
20 years.
Conclusion
Prevalence of hyperthyroidism is 3 times higher than in hypothyroidism.
Women are generally at higher risk of most types of thyroid disease than men. It has also been
noticed that the severity of thyroid diseases manifests clearly in male respondents.
The risk of thyroid dysfunction increases with age and it is more prevalent in elderly males.
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Original article