Frequency of post-operative hypocalcaemia following thyroid surgery at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the frequency of post-operative hypocalcaemia following thyroid surgery at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh Study design: Observational study Place and Duration: Department of surgery, Isra University Hospital from December 2014 to July 2017

Materials and Methods: 100 cases of thyroid swellings were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre- operative patient history, physical examination, thyroid gland examination and laboratory investigations were performed. A serum calcium levels < 0.05] was considered significant

Results: Of 100 patients, 67% were female and 33% were male [P=0.0001]. Female dominancy was noted with female to male ratio of 2.03:1. Age [mean+/- SD] was noted as 37.5 +/- 9.5 years [19 - 48 years]. Frequency of symptomatic hypocalcaemia was noted in 23% subjects post operatively. Mean+/- SD serum calcium and phosphate in post operative hypocalcemia subjects was noted as 7.31 +/- 0.38 mg/dl and 2.95 +/- 0.63 mg/dl respectively. Majority of symptomatic hypocalcemia were noted within 72 hours post operatively

Conclusion: The present study reports 23% frequency of post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia noted within 72 hours post operatively. Goiters of long duration, recurrent goiters, hyperthyroidism and goiters with retro sternal extensions were found risk factors for the post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia

Thyroid function test, C- reactive protein and blood lipids in subclinical hypothyroidism patients reporting at surgical wards

Objective: To investigate the thyroid function, C-reactive protein [CRP] and blood lipid profile in the subclinical hypothyroidism [SH] patients in surgical wards and outpatient department. Study design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration: Department of surgery, Isra University Hospital from August 2014 to May 2017

Materials and Methods: 100 subclinical hypothyroid cases and 100 controls were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum TSH level > 6.2 [microIU /ml] with normal free T4 and T3 was considered as subclinical hypothyroidism. Venous blood was taken from ante cubital vein, centrifuged and processed. Sera were used for the assay of thyroid hormones, TSH, blood lipids and C-reactive protein. Data variables were analyzed by Statistix 8.0 [95% confidence interval] [P-value =0.05]

Results: Age in controls and cases was noted as 51.3+/-12.5 and 50.8+/-11.95 years respectively. SH cases show serum T3, T4 and TSH as 0.89+/-0.18 microg/dl, 4.96+/-0.85 microg/dl and 11.95+/-2.85 microU/ml respectively. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLc were raised with concomitant low HDLc in SH cases. C- reactive protein in SH cases was 6.91+/-3.38 ng/ml compared to controls 2.56+/-1.51 ng/ml [P=0.0001]. Serum TSH showed negative correlation with HDLc, serum T3 and T4

Conclusion: The present study reports dyslipidemia with elevated inflammatory marker of C-reactive protein in subclinical hypothyroid patients