Abstract

LUIS ROMAN, D. de et al. Hypothyroidism: clinical and economical implications in a health area. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2003, vol.20, n.3, pp.25-31. ISSN 0212-7199.

Objective: To analize the clinical, biochemical and epidemiological characteristics in patients with hypothyroidism, substitutive dose and anual direct costs, in a health area.  Material and methods: Seventy five patients attended in a health area were included in the review. Data was divided in epidemiological, biochemical, clinics and economics.  Results: A 94.7% were females and 5.3% males, with an average age of 52.07+16.5 years. The most frequent disease was Thyroiditis of Hashimoto 48% and athrophic thyroiditis 46.6%. Average value of TSH was 17.57+40.8 mUI/ml and TPO 629.3+1049 UI/ml and Ac TG 532.1+1028 UI/ml. A 58,7% of patients had goiter, only envident 2.6%. The average dose of T4 was 81+53.5 mg/day. The average number of visits was 2.67+1.08. The highest cost was due to specialists visit 160+65 euros with a total average cost of 212.9+81.5 euros. Levels of TPO was higher in T. Hashimoto, with a higher number of visits and costs.  Conclusions: The most prevalent disease was autoimmune (T Hashimoto and Athrophic thyroiditis) with higher levels of TPO in Hashimoto. Total cost is higher in T. Hashimoto.

Keywords : Hypothyroidism; Diagnosis; Costs; Autoimmune athrophic thyroiditis.

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