Thyroid Dysfunction among Greek Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus as a Disregarded Comorbidity

An evaluation of blood glucose and lipid profile in female hypothyroidism patients in Kerbala province, Iraq

Introduction and Aim: Hypothyroidism is a common metabolic disorder caused by inadequate secretion of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. The condition impacts various metabolic processes including glucose synthesis, lipid synthesis, mobilization and metabolic rate. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological factors associated with female hypothyroidism patients of Kerbala province of Iraq.   Materials and Methods: Fifty females (35 with hypothyroidism and 15 normal) aged between 20-49 years were included in the study. Blood sample was collected from each individual and subjected to thyroid function test (TFT), lipid profile test (LPT) and fasting blood glucose (FBG).   Results: The study showed a significant (P?0.001) increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels as compared to control. While a significant decrease was seen in thyroxin (T4) levels in comparison to controls, no significant difference was seen for triiodothyronine (T3) levels in both groups. Low?density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) was significantly increased (P?0.001) while high density lipoprotein (HDL) was observed to significantly decrease as compared to control group. High significant elevation (P?0.001) in fasting blood glucose (FBG) was seen in patients with hypothyroidism as compared to control.   Conclusion: The results obtained in this study show that hypothyroidism in females to be significantly associated with increase in dyslipidemia and blood glucose levels.

Thyroid dysfunction in Greece: Results from the national health examination survey EMENO

Background

Nationwide data on thyroid disease prevalence in Greece is lacking. Using the national health examination survey EMENO data resources, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and associated risk factors in adults living in Greece.

Methods

A random sample of the adults (≥18 years) living in Greece was drawn by multi-stage stratified random sampling based on the 2011 census. During home visits, trained interviewers administered a standardized questionnaire to study participants. All participants answered questions concerning demographic parameters (e.g., age, sex, degree of urbanization, income) and questions concerning smoking habits, alcohol, dietary habits and psychological parameters such as anxiety and thyroid disease. Weighted logistic regression models were fitted to assess factors associated with thyroid disease.

Results

In total, 6006 individuals were recruited in the Greek Health Examination Survey EMENO (response rate 72%) of whom 5981 were eligible for this study. The prevalence of thyroid disease was 9%, where 0.4% was related to hyperthyroidism and 8.6% to hypothyroidism. The prevalence of thyroid disease was higher in women (14.9%) than men (2.7%) (p<0.001). The highest rates of thyroid disease were observed in former iodine-deficient areas. A decrease in the prevalence of thyroidopathies with increasing alcohol consumption was found. Thyroid disease was associated with anxiety in men. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age, geographic area, and smoking were related to thyroid disease.

Conclusion

The prevalence of thyroid disease in Greece is higher in women. Age, habits, and characteristics of geographic areas determine the distribution of thyroidopathies in Greece.

Evaluation of the Thyroid Characteristics and Correlated Factors in Hospitalized Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction (TD) are two closely associated disorders. The objective of the present study was to investigate the thyroid status and the relationships between thyroid hormones, diabetic complications and metabolic parameters in hospitalized patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM (T2DM).

METHODS

This was an observational cross-sectional study, conducting on 340 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM who were admitted to ward of endocrinology department and 120 matched individuals without diabetes. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical data were collected. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the correlations between thyroid hormones and other variables. Factors associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN) was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were significantly lower in patients with T2DM as compared to control group without diabetes. The prevalence of TD was 21.2% in patients with diabetes, higher than that in controls (4.2%). The low T3 syndrome was the most frequent TD, shown in 14.7% of patients. The presence of diabetic complications DN, diabetic ketosis or ketoacidosis), metabolic and demographic factors, including age, glycemic control and insulin resistance were factors significantly associated with levels of thyroid hormones. FT3 level was inversely correlated with the level of urinary total protein (mg/24h) and the presence of DN. Multivariate analysis indicated low FT3 level as a strong independent risk factor (OR = 0.364, P = 0.001) for DN.

CONCLUSION

TD is not rarely seen in hospitalized patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Diabetic complications and diabetes-related metabolic and demographic factors are related to thyroid hormone levels. Decreased FT3 is strongly correlated with the presence of DN.

Effect of oral semaglutide on the pharmacokinetics of thyroxine after dosing of levothyroxine and the influence of co-administered tablets on the pharmacokinetics of oral semaglutide in healthy subjects: an open-label, one-sequence crossover, single-center, multiple-dose, two-part trial

BACKGROUND

Oral semaglutide comprises the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, semaglutide, and sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate (SNAC). Levothyroxine has similar dosing conditions to oral semaglutide. This trial investigated if oral semaglutide co-administered with levothyroxine affects thyroxine (T₄) exposure and if multiple placebo tablets co-administered with oral semaglutide affect semaglutide exposure.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this one-sequence crossover trial, 45 healthy subjects received levothyroxine (600 μg single-dose) alone, or with concomitant SNAC 300 mg or concomitant oral semaglutide 14 mg at steady-state. Subjects also received oral semaglutide 14 mg at steady-state alone or with five placebo tablets once-daily for 5 weeks.

RESULTS

A 33% increase in total T₄ exposure was observed with levothyroxine/oral semaglutide vs levothyroxine alone, but baseline-corrected maximum concentration (C_max) was unaffected. SNAC alone did not affect total T₄ exposure, whereas C_max was slightly decreased. A 34% decrease in semaglutide exposure was observed when oral semaglutide was co-administered with placebo tablets, and C_max also decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Levothyroxine pharmacokinetics were influenced by co-administration with oral semaglutide. Monitoring of thyroid parameters should be considered when treating patients with both oral semaglutide and levothyroxine. Oral semaglutide exposure was influenced by co-administration with multiple tablets, which is addressed in the dosing guidance.

Monitoring and comorbidities in patients with chronic hepatitis B currently treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs

Background

Long-term monotherapy with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) represents the treatment option for the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), an aging population with a greater likelihood of comorbidities. We assessed the prevalence of concurrent non-hepatic diseases and the safety monitoring in a large cohort of CHB patients receiving NAs and their potential impact on disease outcomes.

Methods

We included 500 consecutive CHB patients from 5 major tertiary Greek centers, under long-term therapy with an NA. Epidemiological/clinical characteristics and data on concomitant disease, drug use and investigations ordered were collected.

Results

The mean age was 58 years and 66% were male. Most patients were receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF, 60%) or entecavir (ETV, 37%) monotherapy. Decompensated cirrhosis at baseline was present in 10%, while hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under therapy developed in 21 patients. The median duration of total NA therapy was 56 and of latest therapy 42 months. The most common (prevalence >10%) comorbidities were hypertension (28%), non-HCC cancer(s) (12%), and diabetes (11%). Patients with a longer duration of latest therapy (≥4 vs. <4 years) were older (mean age: 58 vs. 56 years, P=0.004), had more frequent history of prior use of NA(s) (53% vs. 35%, P<0.001), and less frequent liver decompensation (5% vs. 13%, P=0.008) and non-HCC cancers (8% vs. 15%, P=0.020). HCC developed more frequently in patients with than in those without diabetes (11% vs. 3%, P=0.022).

Conclusion

Greek CHB patients currently treated with NAs, almost exclusively ETV or TDF, are often older than 60 years, have several comorbidities, and thus require careful management.

Elevated TPOAb is a Strong Predictor of Autoimmune Development in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in T2DM with NAFLD, furthermore explore the relationship between elevated TPOAb titer and the severity of NAFLD.

METHODS

A total of 400 patients with T2DM were divided into two groups according to NAFLD. Thyroid function and other metabolic indicators were measured.

RESULTS

There were more TPOAb-positive patients in both groups, and the prevalence of TPOAb positive was significantly different in two groups (17% vs 6.9%, p< 0.01). FT4 was significantly lower in patients with T2DM with NAFLD (median FT4 0.89 vs 1.08, p < 0.001), while TSH was increased (median TSH 2.85 vs 2.28, p < 0.05). In patients with T2DM with NAFLD, the proportion of women in the thyroid autoimmune-positive group was significantly higher than the negative (71.1% vs 46%, p < 0.01). Similarly, thyroid autoimmune-positive T2DM and NAFLD patients had lower FT4 levels (median FT4 0.59 vs 0.92, p < 0.001), higher TSH levels (median TSH 3.65 vs 2.67, p < 0.001), and much higher TPOAb/TGAb (median TPOAb/TGAb 6.8 vs 1.46, p < 0.001). The increase of TPOAb was significantly correlated with the severity of fatty liver. HbA1c, TC, TG, TSH, TPOAb/TGAb and severity of fatty liver were risk factors of thyroid autoimmunity.

CONCLUSION

Autoimmune thyroid disease is more common in patients with T2DM complicated with NAFLD. Elevated TPOAb titer is closely related to fatty liver, suggesting that elevated TPOAb titer is a predictor of autoimmune development in T2DM with NAFLD.

The prevalence and incidence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with diabetes - a longitudinal follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Thyroid dysfunction (TD) occurs in 13.4% of diabetic patients, which has prompted recommendations for annual thyroid screening in patients with diabetes. However, recommendations for annual screening should be based on disease incidence rather than prevalence.

METHODS

In 1997-1998, seven hundred and thirty patients (618 type 2 diabetes, 55% male; 112 type 1 diabetes, 47% male) were sequentially screened for TD. The 639 patients with normal thyroid function were followed from 1999 to 2006, with annual thyroid function tests.

RESULTS

A total of 21/112 (19%) with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and 70/618 (11%) with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) had TD. TD was more frequent in females (p < 0.05) and T1DM (p = 0.04). The mean annual rate of conversion to abnormal tests was 2.1%. At 8 years, there were 100 new cases of TD representing 15.6% of the cohort (17 T1DM and 83 T2DM). TD was more frequent in females (p < 0.05), but there was no difference in the incidence of new TD between T1DM and T2DM (p = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirms the high prevalence of TD in diabetic patients, in concordance with the results from other series. We found only 25 treatable cases of new thyroid disease from 639 patients in the 8-year follow-up, less than 0.5% per year. The low incidence of treatable thyroid disease challenges the need for annual screening for thyroid abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes.