PREVALENCE OF THYROID EYE DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL NEPAL

Abstract

Background: Thyroid eye disease is the most common extra thyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease. The pattern and prevalence of thyroid eye disease vary widely from a mild disorder characterized by dry eye symptoms and ocular irritation to a severe disfiguring form of orbitopathy. Thyroid eye disease is a frequently encountered Ophthalmological morbidity in Nepal and across the globe. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid eye disease in subjects with thyroid dysfunction in a tertiary care hospital in central Nepal..

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study, conducted in Chitwan medical college Teaching hospital (CMCTH), department of Ophthalmology. Subjects presenting to Ophthalmology department or referred patients from different departments with thyroid dysfunction were enrolled in the study. The data thus collected was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the data was presented as frequency and percentage.

Results: Among 320 subjects screened for Thyroid eye disease prevalence, 106 (33.3%) were hyperthyroid, 207 (64.7%) were hypothyroid whereas, 7 (2.2%) were euthyroid. The prevalence of Thyroid eye disease was 40% and this was more prevalent among hypothyroid. Among the 320 patients with thyroid eye disease, 126 (39.4%), 95 (29.7%), 53 (16.6%), 24 (7.5%), 15 (4.7%), 5 (1.6%) and 2 (0.6%) had CAS score of 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 respectively. Similarly, NOSPECS score (American Thyroid Association) 243 (75.9%), 57 (17.8%), 1 (0.3%), 7 (2.2%), 8 (2.5%), 3(0.9%) and 1 (0.3%) were graded from 0-6 accordingly respectively.

Conclusions: Thyroid eye disease was more prevalent in hypothyroid middle-aged females and the overall prevalence of Thyroid Eye disease was more in hypothyroid patients. Though sight threatening complications didn’t exist in our study, close workup by endocrinologist and ophthalmologist can decrease ocular morbidity.