TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND PREDICTORS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AT 1–YEAR IN SUBACUTE, SILENT, AND POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS: A NORTH INDIAN EXPERIENCE
Abstract
Introduction: Thyroiditis comprises a heterogeneous group of inflammatory thyroid disorders, including subacute thyroiditis (SAT), silent thyroiditis (ST), and postpartum thyroiditis (PPT). While these conditions are generally self-limiting, a subset of patients develops persistent hypothyroidism. Evidence regarding predictors of long-term hypothyroidism and the influence of glucocorticoid dose on clinical outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated the rate and predictors of hypothyroidism at one year and examined the association between glucocorticoid therapy and symptom resolution. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 95 patients with SAT (n=63), ST (n=20), or PPT (n=12) were enrolled. Clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, treatment details, and follow-up thyroid function tests were recorded. The primary outcome was development of hypothyroidism at one year and its predictors. Secondary outcomes included the association of glucocorticoid dose and duration with resolution of symptoms. Results: At one year, 16.8% (16/95) of patients developed hypothyroidism, with the highest incidence in the PPT group (50%), followed by SAT (14.3%) and ST (5%) (p<0.005). Patients who developed hypothyroidism had significantly higher TSH levels at the first follow-up (median 15.5 vs. 6.42 mIU/L; p=0.001), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity was more frequent in this group (87.5% vs. 46.8%; p=0.003). Higher-dose glucocorticoid therapy (>30 mg prednisolone/day) was associated with faster symptom resolution (rho=-0.37, p=0.041). Conclusions: At one year, 16.8% of patients developed hypothyroidism, with the highest proportion observed in the postpartum thyroiditis group (50%). A higher TSH level at the median follow-up of two months (TSH >7.1 mIU/L) strongly predicted hypothyroidism at one year. Anti-TPO positivity was also associated with the development of hypothyroidism. Higher-dose glucocorticoid therapy (>30 mg prednisolone/day) was associated with faster symptom resolution compared with lower-dose steroid therapy (<30 mg prednisolone/day).
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BibTeX
@article{thakkar2026treatment,
title = {{TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND PREDICTORS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AT 1–YEAR IN SUBACUTE, SILENT, AND POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS: A NORTH INDIAN EXPERIENCE}},
author = {Simran Thakkar and Saptarshi Bhattacharya and S. K. Wangnoo and C. M. Batra},
journal = {Thyroid Research \& Practice},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.4103/trp.trp_34_26},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/trp.trp_34_26},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - TREATMENT OUTCOMES AND PREDICTORS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM AT 1–YEAR IN SUBACUTE, SILENT, AND POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS: A NORTH INDIAN EXPERIENCE
AU - Simran Thakkar
AU - Saptarshi Bhattacharya
AU - S. K. Wangnoo
AU - C. M. Batra
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Thyroid Research & Practice
DO - 10.4103/trp.trp_34_26
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/trp.trp_34_26
AB - Introduction: Thyroiditis comprises a heterogeneous group of inflammatory thyroid disorders, including subacute thyroiditis (SAT), silent thyroiditis (ST), and postpartum thyroiditis (PPT). While these conditions are generally self-limiting, a subset of patients develops persistent hypothyroidism. Evidence regarding predictors of long-term hypothyroidism and the influence of glucocorticoid dose on clinical outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated the rate and predictors of hypothyroidism at one year and examined the association between glucocorticoid therapy and symptom resolution. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 95 patients with SAT (n=63), ST (n=20), or PPT (n=12) were enrolled. Clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, treatment details, and follow-up thyroid function tests were recorded. The primary outcome was development of hypothyroidism at one year and its predictors. Secondary outcomes included the association of glucocorticoid dose and duration with resolution of symptoms. Results: At one year, 16.8% (16/95) of patients developed hypothyroidism, with the highest incidence in the PPT group (50%), followed by SAT (14.3%) and ST (5%) (p<0.005). Patients who developed hypothyroidism had significantly higher TSH levels at the first follow-up (median 15.5 vs. 6.42 mIU/L; p=0.001), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity was more frequent in this group (87.5% vs. 46.8%; p=0.003). Higher-dose glucocorticoid therapy (>30 mg prednisolone/day) was associated with faster symptom resolution (rho=-0.37, p=0.041). Conclusions: At one year, 16.8% of patients developed hypothyroidism, with the highest proportion observed in the postpartum thyroiditis group (50%). A higher TSH level at the median follow-up of two months (TSH >7.1 mIU/L) strongly predicted hypothyroidism at one year. Anti-TPO positivity was also associated with the development of hypothyroidism. Higher-dose glucocorticoid therapy (>30 mg prednisolone/day) was associated with faster symptom resolution compared with lower-dose steroid therapy (<30 mg prednisolone/day).
SN - 0973-0354
SN - 2250-1452
ER -