Characterization of the thyroid test profile in a Colombian University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: there is a lack of clear clinical guidelines for thyroid tests request indications in hospitalized patients. The level of relevance and profile type requested in hospitalized patients at San Vicente Foundation University Hospital was evaluated.

Methods: retrospective study in non-pregnant subjects over 14 years old who where hospitalized at San Vicente Fundación University Hospital. 351 clinical records registries were evaluated, six pertinence groups were defined; categories 1 to 4 were considered as pertinent, and categories 5 to 6 were considered as non-pertient. Demographic and clinical variables were included. Quantitative variables were assessed using U Mann-Whitney test, and qualitative variables were assessed with chi-square test and Fisher"(TM)s exact test

Results: normal values were obtained in 67% of the TSH measured, in 80% of the T4 and 53% of the T3. The most frequent abnormality of TSH was elevation in 24%, for free T4 it was its reduction in 11.5% and for T3 elevation in 27%. TSH ?0.1 was found in 3.5% and ?20 in 3.9%. Of the 60 patients with elevated TSH, 75% are between 5 and 9.99 mUI / mL. The T4L ? of 0.7 ng / dL was 11.5% and ?1.48 in 8.6%. 95% of the T4L measures in the non-relevant category were normal.

Conclusions: relevance for requesting thyroid function tests in hospitalization should be improved. Initial approach is proposed requesting only TSH.