Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research (SJBR)
Volume-2 | Issue-06 | 127-130
Original Research Article
Thyroid Function in HIV Patients at Parirenyatwa Serology Laboratory, Zimbabwe
Elwin Tinashe Chinya, Lloyd Bowora, Garikai Malunga, Danai Tavonga Zhou
Published : Oct. 30, 2017
Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) causes disturbances in the normal function
of the endocrine system and has been associated with thyroid dysfunction in HIV
patients on treatment. More data on thyroid dysfunction are needed in Zimbabwe to
persuade the country program to institute routine monitoring if needed. We sought
to establish if ART exposure is associated with thyroid dysfunction in HIV patients.
A cross-sectional study with two comparative groups was conducted between 1
October and 31 December 2016. The participants included HIV-infected persons
aged 18+ years who attended Opportunistic Infections (OI) clinics in urban areas
around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Patient samples were tested at the Parirenyatwa
Serology Laboratory in Harare, Zimbabwe. The two comparative groups were
defined as cases and controls. Cases were HIV positive patients with thyroid
dysfunction whilst controls were HIV positive patients without thyroid dysfunction.
Participants included 100 females and 93 males who were on ART. The mean age
was 34.6 (10.2) years and median age was 33.0 (43.5-68.3) years. The prevalence of
thyroid dysfunction was 45.6% and all cases had hypothyroidism. Sex was not
associated with thyroid dysfunction, but thyroid dysfunction was more significant in
older patients (P=0.031). This study confirms that ART is associated with thyroid
dysfunction in older HIV patients on ART. These results are worrying and may
suggest a need for the country HIV program to establish strategies to mitigate this. It
is cause for concern because the presence of an untreated thyroid dysfunction in
HIV patients will worsen their prognosis.