PREVALENCE OF HYPERTHYROIDISM IN THE TETOVO REGION, NORTH MACEDONIA
Jehona IBRAHIMI, Mije REÇI, Sheval F MEMISHI
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism is a pathological disorder characterized by increased thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion from the thyroid gland, whereas thyrotoxicosis refers to the clinical syndrome of excess circulating thyroid hormones, irrespective of the source. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, followed by toxic nodular goiter. Other important causes of thyrotoxicosis include thyroiditis, iodine-induced and drug-induced thyroid dysfunction, and factitious ingestion of excess thyroid hormones. Unrecognized and untreated hyperthyroidism leads to serious clinical complications with adverse outcomes for patients. Hence, adequate knowledge of the epidemiological features of such conditions is desirable to plan effective interventions. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hyperthyroidism in the region of Tetovo, to have an overview of the frequency of hyperthyroidism. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the data of individuals of the Tetovo region during the period 2020-2023. The tests were performed with the ECLIA method, while the patient samples were analyzed using the electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA). Out of a total of 860 individuals checked, 173 of them were positive, so the overall prevalence was 20.1%. The prevalence increased with age and for men was 19.54%, but for women 20.36% (for 0.85% higher among women than men). This study can serve to monitor the patterns of hyperthyroidism in the researched region.
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