Sonographic determination of thyroid gland volume among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Thyroid disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are interconnected endocrine disorders with a bidirectional relationship. T2DM patients may present with various thyroid abnormalities, such as gland enlargement and nodule formation, warranting noninvasive assessment through ultrasound scanning. Aim: This cross‑sectional study aimed to evaluate thyroid gland volume (TGV) in adult patients with T2DM using ultrasound imaging in Kano. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 participants were randomly selected and underwent sonographic scans of the thyroid gland using a medical ultrasound machine with a 7.5 MHz linear probe. Thyroid volumes were recorded, and demographic information was collected. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 29, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean TGV ± standard deviation was 5.8 ± 3.1 cm³. Females exhibited a statistically higher TGV (6.1 ± 3.4 cm³) compared to males (5.6 ± 2.8 cm³). There was no significant difference in TGV among patients with different diabetes control habits. The mean volume of the right lobe (3.1 ± 1.8 cm³) was significantly greater than that of the left lobe (2.7 ± 1.6 cm³). TGV correlated positively with T2DM duration, age, weight, and body mass index. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the TGV among patients with T2DM in Kano. The findings indicate a positive correlation between TGV and T2DM duration and demonstrate gender and laterality differences. Ultrasound‑based assessment of thyroid volume can be a valuable tool in monitoring thyroid health in T2DM patients and may aid in the early detection and management of thyroid abnormalities.