Understanding hypothyroidism in Unani medicine.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical and biochemical profile of patients with severe primary hypothyroidism (SPH) (TSH ≥40 μIU/ml) as compared to milder forms of hypothyroidism and document improvement in hypothyroidism symptoms in SPH. Methods: Thyroid symptomatology and biochemistry were evaluated in SPH, non-severe overt primary hypothyroidism (NSOPH; TSH

Thyroid symptomatology across the spectrum of hypothyroidism and impact of levothyroxine supplementation in patients with severe primary hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common condition with a prevalence that varies according to local dietary iodine availability, gender and age. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are generally nonspecific, with considerable overlap with other conditions and with the consequences for the health of advancing age. These symptoms are not useful for diagnosing hypothyroidism and a thyroid function test is required for a firm clinical diagnosis. Lack of knowledge and understanding of hypothyroidism, and a tendency for many people to attribute the symptoms of hypothyroidism to other causes have led to substantial unawareness and often late diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Large observational studies and meta-analyses have shown that about 4-7% of community-derived populations in the USA and Europe have undiagnosed hypothyroidism. About four cases in five of these are subclinical hypothyroidism, with the remainder being overt hypothyroidism. The prevalence of undiagnosed hypothyroidism is higher in older subjects, in women, and some ethnic groups, consistent with diagnosed disease. More research is needed to quantify the clinical burden of undiagnosed hypothyroidism around the world, with educational efforts aimed at the public and healthcare professionals aimed at identifying and managing these individuals.

Low awareness and under-diagnosis of hypothyroidism

Purpose Poor adherence to levothyroxine is a potential risk factor for treatment failure that ultimately leads to increased healthcare costs and serious health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between illness perception and medication adherence among primary hypothyroidism patients. Patients and methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among primary hypothyroidism patients who met the inclusion criteria in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia using a questionnaire with demographic characteristics, clinical factors, the 12-Item Medication Adherence Scale, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). We included 400 patients in the analysis. Results We found a significant positive correlation between BIPQ subscales - personal control, treatment control, and understanding - with all domains of the 12-Item Medication Adherence Scale. The other dimensions of BIPQ subscales did not significantly correlate with medication adherence. However, a high BIPQ overall score was significantly correlated with poor medication adherence. Conclusion This study found a significant correlation between a high BIPQ overall score and poor medication adherence. This finding suggests the need to consider the emotional and cognitive representation of hypothyroidism in hypothyroid patients to improve their treatment adherence.

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Illness Perception and Medication Adherence Among Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge, awareness, and practices with regard to diabetes management in south Asia are not known. This study aimed to determine current clinical practices with regard to managing diabetes in Nepal and India. Doctors attending conferences in Delhi, Guwahati, and Kathmandu were evaluated regarding their diabetes treatment preferences using a standardized questionnaire having 34 multiple-choice questions. The questionnaire evaluated doctor’s preferences on therapeutic lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and insulin injection practices. From a total of 409 filled questionnaires which were collected, 261, 75, and 73 questionnaires from New Delhi, Guwahati, and Kathmandu, respectively, which fulfilled all criteria, were analyzed. The mean age of doctors was 42.26 ± 11.99 years. Low carbohydrate, high protein was the most frequently recommended diet plan. The use of carbohydrate counting in practice was non-existent. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is commonly used in practice with 1–2 times per day checking. The preferred second, third, and fourth oral agents after metformin were sulfonylureas (53.05%), glucosidase inhibitors (37.16%), and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) (42.79%) respectively. Glimepiride (73.83%) and gliclazide (28.60%) were the most preferred sulfonylureas. Teneligliptin (31.54%), sitagliptin (23.71%), linagliptin (22.24%), and vildagliptin (16.38%) were the preferred DPP4i. Dapagliflozin (30.56%), empagliflozin (20.29%), and canagliflozin (8.85%) were the preferred sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). Insulin use was delayed in type-2 diabetes, typically initiated only after glycemic control not adequate with five oral anti-diabetes agents (OADs) (50.36%). The most preferred insulin was basal insulin analogue (47.68%) followed by neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin (22.24%). Most patients received < 20 U of insulin/day (56.96%). The most commonly used short-acting insulin in pregnancy was lispro (204; 49.88%). The preferred long-acting insulin in pregnancy was NPH insulin (180; 44.01%). Lack of use of digital technology, less use of lifestyle modifications, delayed use of insulin, preference for multiple OADs, popularity of sulfonylureas and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs), and late use of SGLT2i were some of the key highlights of diabetes practice in south Asia.

A 2018 clinical practice pattern in the management of diabetes in India and Nepal: a three-city study

Background: There is a paucity of data on knowledge, awareness, and practices (KAP) of patients with hypothyroidism in India. Aims and Objectives: To study the KAP and adherence to treatment of participants with primary hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Endocrinology Outpatient Department of Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi. Two-fifty consecutive primary hypothyroidism participants, aged ≥18 years, who were on treatment for at least 3 months responded to a structured questionnaire, to assess their KAP about the disease and adherence to treatment. Results: A total of 250 patients completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 43.24 ± 10.80 years; with majority being females (85.6%). The median duration of hypothyroidism was 8 years (range: 3–10). Most were well educated, with 53.6% being graduates/postgraduates. Knowledge and awareness related to hypothyroidism was poor in majority of participants. Only 35.2% and 51.2% knew correct meaning of the terms “thyroid” and “hypothyroidism” respectively. Only 25.6% participants knew correctly that thyroxine (T4) is used to replace and normalize blood levels of thyroid hormone. Forty percent had false dietary beliefs in the context of hypothyroidism. Ten percent participants felt T4 can be stopped once laboratory reports return to normal. Only 36.4% participants knew correctly that T4 need to be continued during pregnancy. Many participants (30.4%) believed hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain in excess of 10 kg. Regarding adherence, 90.4% participants were adherent to T4, 2.4% were moderately adherent, and remaining 7.2% participants were nonadherent to T4. Conclusion: A large number of patients with primary hypothyroidism lack basic knowledge about disease and have dietary and treatment-related prejudices and poor treatment adherence. Public health measures are required to improve KAP in patients with primary hypothyroidism.

Knowledge, Awareness, Practices and Adherence to Treatment of Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism in Delhi.

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Pratima Katiyar

Papers

Knowledge, Awareness, Practices and Adherence to Treatment of Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism in Delhi.

A Comprehensive Review: Prevention and Control of SARS Co-V-2