Abstract

Mshelia DS, Bakari AA, Mubi BM, Ali N, Musa AH, Gali RM and Mamza YP

No previous study documented biochemical pattern of thyroid disorders in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. Therefore, the changing pattern which usually occurs after introduction of iodine supplementation cannot be observed. The study is therefore intended to create awareness of presence of thyroid disorders, document the first biochemical pattern of thyroid disorders forming a turning focal point for observations during iodine supplementation in this region. Thyroid function tests results analyzed within 5 years (January 2009 to December 2013) in Chemical Pathology Department, UMTH, and Maiduguri were reviewed. This included 871 results; each was interpreted individually using standard method. Results were then grouped according to the types (pattern) of thyroid dysfunctions. Age, gender and indication for each result were also sorted. Percentages of each category were determined. Results shows improper filling of request forms. Out of the 871 results only 2% request for Paediatric age group, 79% for adults while age was not known in 19%. Gender was not indicated for 5.3% of requests. Where gender was indicated it showed male: female ratio of 1:5.1. Although indications for 78.2% of request are for thyroid-related disorders (63.4% Goitre-related indications), only 32.8% results showed biochemical evidence of thyroid disorders and Hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis is commoner (81.1%) among results with biochemical evidence of thyroid disorders compared to hypothyroidism (18.9%), forming 26.6 and 26.2% among all results analyzed, respectively. Primary disorders are commoner among both categories. Majority of results with biochemical evidence of thyroid dysfunctions belonged to patients with age between 20 and 50 years, the most productive age group. Thyroid disorder is common, predominantly in adults with female preponderance. Goitre-related indications are common yet results showing thyroid disorder is only 32.8% which may signify presence of iodine deficiency in this region. Hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis is more compared to hypothyroidism and primary disorders predominate in each category.