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Research Article Volume 13 Issue 1
Frequency of hypothyroidism among patients with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study at Al Dain teaching hospital, 2025
Hosham Mohammed Mosa Mohammed, Fathalla Ahmed Basher, Yousif Ali Ahmed Sleiman, Farah Ahmed Elhassan Mohammed, Ghanem Mohammed Mahjaf, Mosab Nouraldein Mohammed Hamad
Received: May 05, 2026 | Published: May 20, 2026
Citation: Mohammed HMM, Basher FA, Sleiman YAA, et al. Frequency of hypothyroidism among patients with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study at Al Dain teaching hospital, 2025. J Diabetes Metab Disord Control. 2026;13(1):50-54. DOI: 10.15406/jdmdc.2026.13.00313
Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Thyroid dysfunction, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism, frequently co-exists with metabolic syndrome, with both conditions independently contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Limited data exist on this association in Sudanese patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of hypothyroidism among patients with metabolic syndrome at Al Dain Teaching Hospital in Sudan and to explore its impact on their metabolic profiles. Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2025 at Al Dain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, Sudan. We included 118 adult patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Data collection involved interviewer-administered questionnaires to gather demographic and clinical data, clinical measurements (BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure), and laboratory assessment of fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles, and thyroid function (TSH, Free T4, Free T3). Hypothyroidism was defined as TSH >4.5 mIU/L with low Free T4. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and ANOV A. Results: The mean age of participants was 55.2 ± 12.5 years, and 61.9% were female. The overall frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with metabolic syndrome was 55.1%, with subclinical hypothyroidism at 39.8% and overt hypothyroidism at 15.3%. The mean waist circumference was 98.5 ± 8.0 cm; it is noteworthy that while Sudanese patients meet the diagnostic criteria for waist circumference, the values may not be as elevated as those observed in some other populations. Hypothyroidism was associated with a significantly worse metabolic profile: higher mean BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglyceride levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels (all p-values ranging from <0.001 to 0.008). No significant correlation was found between the number of metabolic syndrome components and the prevalence of hypothyroidism. Conclusion: This study confirms a high frequency of hypothyroidism among Sudanese patients with metabolic syndrome and demonstrates its significant negative impact on their metabolic parameters. These findings underscore the critical need for routine thyroid function screening in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in Sudan. Early detection and integrated management of both conditions are crucial for improving patient outcomes and mitigating cardiovascular risks.
Keywords: metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction, cardiovascular risk, metabolic profile
©2026 Mohammed, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.