Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Published in: Journal of universal college of medical sciences Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Khadka, Mohan, Kafle, Brindeshwori, Sharma, Sashi, Khadga, Prem Krishna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 25.01.2018
• ISSN: 2091-2846; 2350-8582
• DOI: 10.3126/jucms.v4i2.19082

INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common public health problem. The condition is characterized by a scarcity of biological markers; thus, diagnostic definitions and classifications have relied to a large extent on symptoms, gastrointestinal manifestations of patients. While thyroid disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with IBS symptoms, it is not clear if thyroid disturbances amongst patients with IBS are high enough to warrant routine screening. This study was done to see the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in IBS patients and hence its significance.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Gastroenterology OPD of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal between March 2015 and April 2016. All the consecutive patients presumed to be Irritable bowel syndrome by Rome III criteria were enrolled in the study. Thyroid Function Test (TFT) was performed in all patients in addition to routine investigations for the study group that include measurement of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) together with thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH).  RESULTS: Thyroid dysfunction particularly subclinical hypothyroidism was substantially found among patients with IBS. CONCLUSION: Routine TFTs in patients with presumed IBS seems reasonable. Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2016) Vol.04 No.02 Issue 14, page: 1-5