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Kiran Naz Khan¹, Najia Ahmed¹, Khawaja Muhammad Salik¹, Maria Mahboob¹, Furqana Niaz² and Mansoor Panhwar¹

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with melasma presenting at a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi from 12^thSeptember 2020 to 11^thMarch 2021.

Materials and Methods: After approval from the Hospital Ethical Review Committee, 145 patients reporting to Dermatology Department, PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi, clinically diagnosed as melasma and fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were enrolled. Informed consent was taken and all the patients were tested to see any thyroid hormone abnormality. A 2 ml venous blood sample was taken in a sterilized 5ml disposable syringe for each patient and sent to laboratory to check serum TSH and free T4.

Results: There were 40 (27.6%) males and 105 (72.4%) were females with mean age was 34.5±7.7 years. Hypothyroidism was found to be present in 31 (21.4%) patients. Out of these 31 hypothyroid patients, 22(71%) were young, females 19 (61%), obese 20 (65%), hypertensive 23 (74%), non-smokers 25 (81%), urban 18 (58%) and 25(81%) had no family history of melasma. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was seen in 60 (41.4%). Vitamin-D deficiency was found in 54 (37.2%) patients.

Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is seen in considerable number of patients presenting with melasma. These patients are usually young females, mainly from urban background with no family history and have tendency to be obese and hypertensive.

Key Words: Hypothyroidism, Melasma, MASI, Thyroid Function Tests, Diagnosis

Citation of article: Khan KN, Ahmed N, Salik KM, Mahboob M, Niaz F, Panhwar M. Frequency of Hypothyroidism in Patients with Melasma in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Med Forum 2021;32(12):133-137.