| Summary: | The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) has been reported to be much higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in the general population. SHT has been identified as a strong predictor of mortality and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in CKD. The study aimed to provide local data on the prevalence of SHT in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). A total of 72 patients with CKD on MHD were enrolled. Nonprobability consecutive sampling was performed on patients of either gender aged 14-50 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine four levels were obtained and interpreted for the presence of SHT. SHT was present in 22 patients (30.6%). When stratified according to age, 22.7% of patients were younger than 30 years, 20.8% between 30 and 40 years and 46.2% were above 40 years. The percentage of patients above 40 years with SHT was much higher, but not statistically significant (P = 0.096). When stratified according to gender, 21.6% were male, and 46.2% were female (P = 0.03). When stratified according to duration on hemodialysis (HD), 4.5% of patients on HD for two years or less had SHT; 25.9% on HD for three to five years and, 60.9% on HD for more than five years had SHT (P <0.01). The study shows a considerably high prevalence of SHT in CKD patients on HD. Routine screening of thyroid functions in these patients, especially in females and those on HD for >5 years, may help in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with SHT through early detection and timely intervention.
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