The Clinical Implications of Thyroid Dysfunction and its Association with Dyslipidemia and the Geographical Effect: A Comparative Study from Different Altitudes in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Thyroid disorder is one of the most prevalent critical issues for public health in clinical practice. Lipid profiles and cardiovascular attenuation are significantly affected by thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction related to altitudes (height from sea level) has attracted endocrinologists worldwide.Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its association with lipid profile among the Saudi population residing at different altitudes and to explore the effect of altitudes on thyroid status.Materials and Methods: In this retro cross-sectional study, a large dataset of thyroid hormones and lipid profiles from walk-in patients of both genders doing hormonal and biochemical tests at public labs and government hospital labs from sea level (Jeddah), low altitude (Najran) and high altitude (Asir) were analyzed over the last five years. The data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 27. (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was the common laboratory finding in all three regions. The overall mean value of TC, LDL-C and TG was significantly high (pJeddah (sea level)>Asir (high altitudes). However, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism with high TG follows the order: Jeddah (sea level)>Najran>Asir (high altitudes). The risk for developing primary hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism was high at high altitudes.

Keywords: Thyroid dysfunction; Lipid profile; Lipid ratio; High altitudes; Sea level; Hypothyroidism; Hyperthyroidism