Pulmonary Function Test and Diffusion Lung Capacity in Hypothyroid Patients

Hypothyroidism is a common hormonal disorder affecting various organs including lungs. It may be associated with respiratory symptoms and can decrease lung function.

To study alterations in pulmonary function and diffusion lung capacity in clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism.

This prospective clinical trials was carried out in the Department of medicine, CSSH Meerut, India from February 2012 to February 2013 on 50 hypothyroid patients of 18-60 years age based on thyroid profile TSH > 5 mIU/L. A baseline history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations like Thyroid profile, ECG,2D-ECHO, Chest X-Ray PA- View, Renal function tests were performed. Enrolled patients were taken for pulmonary function test and DLCO together on IPD/OPD basis. It was a one time test. TSH, FT 3 and FT4 were measured by ELFA(Enzyme linked fluorescent assay) using VIDAS instrument. Spirometric analysis as performed using RMS medspireSPC WAB360064 including FVC, FVC%,FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and the lung diffusion capacity of the patient using Hypair compact plus - single breath method. The assessment of predictive values for DLCO and other spirometric analysis predicated on lines American Guidelines of American thoracic society.

Statistical analysis was done by Karl- Peirson co-relation coefficient and test at 5% level of significant.

In our study all patients were female with mean age of 38.42±9.22 years and mean BMI 24.80±4.75 kg/m² preponderance and higher BMI are well known association of hypothyroidism. In this study mean value of TSH, DLCO% AND FEV1/FVC were 28.63±22.23mIU/L, 83.48±25.34%,82.36±18.76 and 93.24±13.77 respectively. TSH has a negative correlation with FVC%, DLCO%, FEV1/FVC. However it was statistically significant only with FEV1/FVC (p <0.05). This reduction suggest restrictive change in pulmonary function.

To study alterations in pulmonary function and diffusion lung capacity in clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism.