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The Value of Routine Thyroid Function Tests on Patients Referred to a Geriatric Service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Christopher Patterson ,
Irene D. Turpie  and
T. J. Muckle
Christopher Patterson
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Irene D. Turpie
Affiliation:
McMaster University
T. J. Muckle
Affiliation:
McMaster University
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Abstract

Routine thyroid function tests have been advocated for the geriatric population, as the clinical presentation both of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may be atypical. Results are presented on the prevalence of dysthyroidism in patients referred to a geriatric service (2% hypothyroidism and 2% hyperthyroidism) and an attempt is made to distinguish between those suspected (hyperthyroid 6 cases, hypothyroid 11 cases) and those unsuspected on clinical grounds (hyperthyroid 4 cases, hypothyroid 7 cases). Outcome of treatment is examined and the cost of detecting one unsuspected but treatable case of hypothyroidism in this referred geriatric population is estimated at 1,000 to 2,653 1984 Canadian dollars.

Résumé

Étant donné que le tableau clinique de l'hypothyroïdisme et de l'hyperthyroïdisme peut se présenter de façon atypique chez les sujets âgés, il a été recommandé de soumettre la population gériatrique à un examen systématique de la fonction thyroïde. Nous présentons les résultats concernant l'incidence des cas de dysthyroïdisme chez les malades dirigés vers les services gériatrìques (2% d'hypothyroïdisme et 2% d'hyperthyroïdisme) et tentons de distinguer les cas présumés (6 cas d'hyperthyroïdisme, 11 cas d'hypothyroïdisme) et les cas insoupçonnés (4 cas d'hyperthyroïdisme, 7 cas d'hypothyroïdisme). Nous examinons l'issue du traitement et estimons que les coûts inhérents au dépistage d'un cas d'hypothyroïdisme insoupôçonné atteignent de 1000 à 2653 dollars canadienns de 1984.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , March 1985 , pp. 47 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1985

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References

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