Thyroid autoimmunity and function among Ugandan children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Pan African Medical Journal
Abstract
Up to 30% of type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients have co-existent thyroid autoimmunity with up to 50% of them having
associated thyroid dysfunction. Routine screening for thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction is recommended in all T1DM patients. However, this
was not currently practiced in Ugandan paediatric diabetes clinics. There was also paucity of data regarding thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction
in African children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude of thyroid autoimmunity and
dysfunction in Ugandan children with TIDM. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study to determine the prevalence of thyroid
autoantibodies and describe thyroid function among children and adolescents aged 1-19 years with diabetes mellitus attending the paediatric
diabetes clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Following enrollment, we obtained details of clinical history and performed
physical examination. Blood (plasma) was assayed to determine levels of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (antiTPO), free thyroxine (FT4) and
thyrotropin (TSH). Results: The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity was 7.3% (5/69). All antiTPO positive subjects were post pubertal, aged
between 13-17 years with females comprising 3/5 of the antiTPO positive subjects. All study subjects were clinically euthyroid; however, 7.3%
(5/69) of the study subjects had subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: These data strengthen the argument for routine screening of all diabetic
children and adolescents for thyroid autoimmunity (particularly anti-TPO) as recommended by international guidelines. We also recommend
evaluation of thyroid function in diabetic children and adolescents to minimize the risk of undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction.
Description
Keywords
Thyroid, Autoimmunity, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Children
Citation
Muhame, R. M., Mworozi, E. A., McAssey, K., & Lubega, I. (2014). Thyroid autoimmunity and function among Ugandan children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus. The Pan African Medical Journal, 19. doi:10.11604/pamj.2014.19.137.5115