Examining the frequency of musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with thyroid dysfunction

Thyroid disorders have profound effects on body organs. This study was conducted aiming to examine the frequency of skeletal muscle manifestations in patients with thyroid dysfunction. The statistical population of this descriptive study was comprised of ۲۰۰ patients with thyroid disorders referred to the endocrinology clinic of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences from March ۲۱, ۲۰۱۸, to September ۲۳, ۲۰۱۸, who were included in the study by census method. The research checklist included the information obtained from the complete physical evaluation of each patient's organs as well as the demographic characteristics. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data. The mean age of the examined patients was ۳۹.۲۵±۱۴.۴۳ years. Out of ۲۰۰ patients, ۲۳ (۱۱.۵%) were male and ۱۷۷ (۸۸.۵%) were female. Joint pain was found in ۱۲۱ people (۶۰.۵%), morning stiffness in ۴۵ people (۲۲.۵%), limited joint mobility in ۴۴ people (۲۲.۰%), adhesive capsulitis in ۲۵ people (۱۲.۵%), carpal tunnel syndrome in ۲۴ people (۰. ۱۲%), trigger finger disorder in ۲۰ people (۱۰.۰%), and ۲ patients (۱.۰%) experienced tarsal tunnel. No musculoskeletal manifestations were reported in ۷۴ individuals (۰.۳۷%) suffering from a thyroid disorder. There was a significant relationship between musculoskeletal manifestations accompanying thyroid disorders and gender (p=۰.۰۰۱), level of education (p<۰.۰۰۱), and occupation (p=۰.۰۰۲). The findings of this study indicated the comorbidity of musculoskeletal disorders and thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, patients with thyroid dysfunction should be screened for musculoskeletal complaints and, if necessary, receive appropriate treatment.

Keywords:

Musculoskeletal manifestations , Hypothyroidism , hyperthyroidism , Rafsanjan , Iran