Thyroid dysfunction in elderly: Experience of a tertiary care centre in Kerala

Background: There is limited data regarding the prevalence of thyroid disorders in elderly from India. Methods: All subjects aged ≥ 60 years, who underwent estimation of thyroid function tests (TFTs) on their first visit to the hospital from 2009-2013 were included in the study. Results: A total of 1479 subjects (males-671, females-808), aged between 60-94 (Mean 69.02 SD: 7.21) years, were studied. Thyroid disorders were present in 13.99% of subjects. The prevalence rate of thyroid disorders was higher in females (14.73%) than males (13.11%) and in those aged ≥ 70 years [14.74%] than subjects in the age group of 60-69 years [13.57%]. Overt hypothyroidism (OH) was the commonest (5.81%) disorder followed by Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in 5.54% subjects. Majority (90.69%) of cases OH were of primary hypothyroidism. The hyperthyroidism was prevalent in 1.76% followed by subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) in 0.88% of subjects. All disorders were common in males than females; OH and hyperthyroidism were common in those aged ≥70 years and SCH and SH were common in age group of 60-69 years. Conclusions: The thyroid disorders are common in elderly subjects; affecting about ~ 14 % in study population. The OH was the commonest thyroid function disorder, followed by SCH, hyperthyroidism and SH with prevalence rates of 5.81, 5.54, 1.76 and 0.88% respectively; all were more common in females than males. The OH and hyperthyroidism showed an increasing trend with age; both in males and females.