Prevalence, Predictive Factors, and Characteristics of Osteoporosis in Hyperthyroid Patients

The osteoporosis in thyroid disorder has the lowest report especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to determine the prevalence, predictive factors, and characteristics of osteoporosis in hyperthyroid patients.

Forty (40) hyperthyroid patients and healthy controls ages 21-50 years were recruited in this study. Questionnaires were administered to capture bio- and clinical data. Biochemical tests included blood, thyroid functions, intact parathyroid hormone, corrected calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D tests. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

Osteoporosis was observed in 18 (45%) of study subjects, 13 (72.2%) females and 5 (27.8%) males, respectively. The BMD of the hyperthyroid patients had a negative correlation with free triiodothyronine, FT3 (r = -0.49, p = 0.005), FT4 (r = -0.33, p = 0.009), corrected calcium (r = -0.31, p = 0.039), alkaline phosphatase (r = -0.53, p < 0.001), and osteocalcin (r = -0.61, p < 0.001). Conversely, a positive association with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (r = 0.54, p < 0.001) was observed. Multiple regression showed osteocalcin (p < 0.001) and TSH (p = 0.015) as independent predictors of osteoporosis.

Thyrotoxicosis is a risk factor for osteoporosis occurrence, and we recommend routine screening for this bone disease in persons over 20 years old with this disorder.