A study of cognitive dysfunctions in patients with thyroid disorders

Background: Many primary endocrine disorders have notable effects on cognition. Patients with a wide range of thyroid gland abnormalities often present with combined emotional and cognitive symptoms. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the cognitive dysfunctions in patients suffering with thyroid disorders. To compare the cognitive dysfunctions in patients with thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and subclinical thyroid states. Materials and Methods: A Purposive sampling was undertaken from the outpatient department of Endocrinology, Narayana Medical College & Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The study included the patients with thyroid disorders and Normal healthy controls. The sample of the study comprised of 60 participants. Out of this 60 participants 30 were diagnosed with thyroid disorders and 30 volunteers who accompanied with patients without evidence of any thyroid disorders who were willing to participate in the study were selected as controls. Results: The mean SMMSE scores among the cases was 19.4 (± 4.65) and among the controls was 28.1 (± 1.67). The DSST scoring of the cases and controls had shown that the mean 68.1 (± 19.4) and controls was 95.3 (± 3.94). The mean (± SD) TMT - A scores of the cases was 25.8 (± 6.23) and controls was 20.5 (± 2.58). The mean TMT – B scores of the cases was 114.8 (± 51.03) and controls was 68.9 (± 19.2). Summary & Conclusions: The means of SMMSE, DSST, TMT – A, TMT – B scores have shown statistically significant difference between the patients with thyroid disorders and normal healthy controls