Assessment of spirometry in patients with hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroid is a relatively common disease worldwide. It defined as clinical state resulting from insufficient secretion of thyroid hormone due to structural and or functional impairment of thyroid hormone production. Hypothyroid affect all organ systems including respiratory system although the respiratory manifestations are seldom the major compliant in hypothyroidism. This involvement has been attributed to decrease in both expiratory and inspiratory muscles strength , alveolar hypoventilation and decrease in maximal breathing capacity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the spirometry in patients with hypothyroidism. A case control study was done in the period between February 2016 to March 2017 in the center of endocrinology in Al-Sadr Medical City, Najaf, Iraq. Thirty patients with hypothyroidism and thirty age and sex matched controls were recruited. Simple spirometry, oxygen saturation, anthropometric and thyroid function were performed. Hypothyroid patients showed FVC was significant lower as compared to control group while other parameters SPO2, FEV1, FEV1/FVC were statistically insignificant. Nine (30%) hypothyroid patients had restrictive pulmonary function test. SPO2, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were significantly associated with T4 level with direct significant correlation. In conclusion, respiratory system can be affected in hypothyroid patients in a restrictive pattern.