ASSOCIATION OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY WITH THYROID DYSFUNCTION AND AUTOIMMUNITY

Abstract

PURPOSE This study was undertaken to find out the proportion of women with diabetes in pregnancy complicated by thyroid dysfunction compared to non-diabetic pregnant women. To find out the association, if any, of thyroid dysfunction and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies during pregnancy with type1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-diabetic pregnant women. METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi, India, for a period of one year. 100 women with diabetes in pregnancy and 100 non-diabetic pregnant women were recruited from the ante-natal clinic. The women were evaluated for thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity and were managed according to the hospital’s protocols. The relevant data were recorded and statistical analysis was done. RESULTS 24% of women with diabetes in pregnancy and 8% of non-diabetic women had hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism was most prevalent in women with GDM (15.25%) and overt hypothyroidism was most prevalent in women with type 1 DM (28.57%). Mean serum TSH levels were highest in women with type 1 DM. Positive anti-TPO antibodies were significantly associated with diabetes in pregnancy compared to non-diabetic women (p=0.02). Amongst women with diabetes in pregnancy, positive anti-TPO antibodies were significantly associated with type 1 DM (p<0.01) CONCLUSIONS Thyroid disorders are commonly associated with diabetes in pregnancy. The study findings suggest routine screening for thyroid abnormalities in diabetic pregnant women.