G-2517

Exploring the Link: The Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Hypothyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

 Mohammad Javad Mohammadifard ¹ © ℗, Abolfazl Taghinejad ¹, Reihaneh Azizi ²   

 
Abstract

Introduction: The interaction between the thyroid and kidneys is well established, significantly impacting mortality and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy, such as dialysis. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods and Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 145 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who had been on hemodialysis for at least six months were included. We measured levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) and performed thyroid ultrasounds to assess for the presence of nodules. The prevalence of hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules, along with their relationships to variables such as age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, duration of ESRD, and primary causes of ESRD, were statistically analyzed using Fisher's test. Results: Among the 145 patients, 58.6% were male and 41.4% were female, with an average age of 53.97 ± 15.94 years. Hypothyroidism was present in 22 patients (15.2%), and thyroid nodules were detected in 18.6% of the 120 patients who underwent ultrasound. The average TSH level in hemodialysis patients was 2.93 ± 2.91 μg/dL, while the average total T4 hormone level was 7.16± 2.64 µg/dL. The presence of thyroid nodules was significantly associated with ischemic heart disease (P = 0.036) and longer duration of hemodialysis (P = 0.050). Hypothyroidism was also linked to ischemic heart disease (P = 0.036). There was no significant correlation between age, gender, diabetes, family history of thyroid disease, and body mass index with hypothyroidism or thyroid nodules. Conclusion and Discussion: Our findings indicate that hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules are prevalent in patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis, particularly among those with ischemic heart disease. Given the dual impact of thyroid disorders on cardiovascular health, timely monitoring and screening for thyroid abnormalities are crucial, especially for patients with ESRD awaiting kidney transplantation, to enhance quality of life and reduce complications.

Keywords: ESRD, hemodialysis, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodule