Assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with primary hypothyroidism

Meriem Antit; Ibtissem Oueslati; Amani Terzi; Dorra Khomsi; Arige Abid; Meriem Mabrouk; Melika Chihaoui

doi:10.1530/endoabs.99.EP141

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Endocrine Abstracts (2024) 99 EP141 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.99.EP141

ECE2024 Eposter Presentations Thyroid (198 abstracts)

Assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with primary hypothyroidism

Meriem Antit ¹ , Ibtissem Oueslati ¹ , Amani Terzi ¹ , Dorra Khomsi ¹ , Arige Abid ¹ , Meriem Mabrouk ¹ & Melika Chihaoui ¹

Err

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¹La Rabta University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Tunis, Tunisia

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a prevalent endocrine disease among the elderly. The thyroid hormones have a wide range of effects on the body, and hypothyroidism can significantly impact both physical and mental functions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the quality of life in patients over 65 years old with substituted hypothyroidism and to assess their relationship with Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional assessment of 80 patients over 65 years old who had primary hypothyroidism. They were treated with levothyroxine for at least one year. Clinical data and TSH level were collected from medical files. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life (QoL). QoL was good if the overall SF36 score was above 60, poor if it was below 30 an average if it was between 60 and30.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.9±4.6 years (Extremes: 65-82 years). The majority of patients (63%) were adequately controlled. The mean SF36 global score was 52.4±22.5. QoL was good in 38% of cases, average in 41%, and poor in 21%. There was neither relationship between QoL and TSH nor QoL and levothyroxine dose. The percentage of patients who were adequately controlled was 70% in patients with good QoL compared to 58% in patients with average or poor QoL (P=0.002).

Conclusions: Decreased QoL was prevalent among elderly patients with hypothyroidism. Good control of the disease was significantly associated with better QoL.