Thyroid Dysfunction Among Diabetic Patients at the Diabetic Endocrine Hospital, Tripoli, Libya, 2022
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Thyroid dysfunction is a common endocrine disorder that frequently coexists with diabetes mellitus (DM) and may negatively affect metabolic control and long-term outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of thyroid dysfunction among diabetic patients and to evaluate its association with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 diabetic patients attending the Diabetic Endocrine Hospital in Tripoli, Libya, in 2022. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, glycemic status, and thyroid function tests were analyzed. Associations of thyroid dysfunction with gender, age, diabetes type and duration, treatment modality, comorbidities, and family history were assessed. Results: Of the 256 diabetic patients included in the study, 95 (37.1%) had thyroid dysfunction, while 161 (62.9%) were euthyroid. Hypothyroidism was the most prevalent thyroid disorder (35.2%). Thyroid disease developed after the diagnosis of diabetes in 25.8% of affected patients. Thyroid dysfunction was significantly more common among females compared with males (p < 0.001) and among patients with type 1 diabetes compared with type 2 diabetes (p < 0.001). A longer duration of diabetes (≥11 years) was also significantly associated with thyroid dysfunction (p = 0.038). Patients receiving insulin therapy had a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction (p = 0.005). A positive family history of thyroid disease was strongly associated with thyroid dysfunction (p < 0.001). Previous thyroid surgery and radioactive iodine therapy were also significantly associated with thyroid dysfunction. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, female sex, type 1 diabetes, longer diabetes duration, and a positive family history of thyroid disease remained independently associated with thyroid dysfunction (Table 6). Poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%) did not remain independently associated with thyroid dysfunction after adjustment. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is highly prevalent among diabetic patients in Tripoli, particularly among females, those with type 1 diabetes, those with long disease duration, and those with a positive family history. These findings support the need for routine thyroid screening as part of comprehensive diabetes care.
DOI: 10.64229/v77qpz13
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204228149