Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

PREVALENCE OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AMONG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DISEASE PROGRESSION

Authors

  • Naheed Shah

    Author

  • Maqsood Ur Rehman

    Author

Keywords:
Breast Neoplasms, Disease Progression, Female, Hypothyroidism, Pakistan, Prevalence, Thyroid Function Tests
Abstract

Background: Thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, has been increasingly recognized as a potential comorbidity in women with breast cancer. While both conditions are common among women globally, their coexistence and possible impact on disease behavior remain insufficiently explored. Understanding the prevalence of hypothyroidism and its relationship with breast cancer progression may provide important insights for clinical management.

Objective: To assess the frequency of hypothyroidism among women diagnosed with breast cancer and to examine its association with disease progression.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a prospective component was conducted over six months in oncology centers in Karachi. A total of 270 women with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer were enrolled using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection included demographics, menopausal status, receptor profile, and stage of cancer. Thyroid function was assessed using serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and free triiodothyronine (fT3). Disease progression was evaluated using the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system and RECIST 1.1 criteria. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 26, using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression for adjusted associations.

Results: Hypothyroidism was identified in 24.4% of the cohort, with 15.2% having subclinical and 8.5% overt hypothyroidism. Women with hypothyroidism presented more frequently with advanced-stage disease (56.3% in stages III–IV compared with 34.1% of euthyroid patients). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between hypothyroidism and disease progression (adjusted OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.26–3.78, p = 0.005). The association was stronger in women with overt hypothyroidism compared with those with subclinical disease.

Conclusion: Hypothyroidism was relatively common among women with breast cancer and was significantly associated with advanced disease stage and higher progression risk. Routine thyroid function screening in breast cancer patients may aid in early detection and management of comorbid hypothyroidism, potentially contributing to improved outcomes.

Author Biographies
  1. Naheed Shah

    Assistant Professor Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Pakistan.

  2. Maqsood Ur Rehman

    Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, KP, Pakistan.

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Published
2025-03-31
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Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)
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Articles
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Copyright (c) 2025 Naheed Shah, Maqsood Ur Rehman (Author)

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PREVALENCE OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AMONG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DISEASE PROGRESSION. (2025). Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences, 2(1), 27-38. https://axisjmbs.com/index.php/home/article/view/15