Clinical and Therapeutic Characteristics of Thyroid Disease in the Elderly in Conakry
Particularités Cliniques et Thérapeutiques de la Pathologie Thyroïdienne du Sujet Âgé à Conakry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20234434Keywords:
Thyroid disorders, elderly patients, GuineAbstract
RESUME
Introduction. En Guinée, la pathologie thyroïdienne du sujet âgé reste mal connue, alors que le vieillissement de la population expose à une prévalence croissante. Nous avons mené cette étude pour décrire les particularités cliniques et thérapeutiques des troubles thyroïdiens chez les patients âgés de 60 ans ou plus au CHU de Conakry. Méthodes. Nous avons réalisé une étude descriptive rétrospective sur six ans (2020‑2025) incluant tous les patients âgés d’au moins 60 ans, suivis pour pathologie thyroïdienne dans le service d’endocrinologie. Nous avons extrait les données des dossiers médicaux (épidémiologie, clinique, étiologies, traitements) et les avons analysées de façon descriptive (moyennes, pourcentages). Résultats. Sur 388 patients thyroïdiens, 83 étaient âgés de 60 ans ou plus (21,4 %). L’âge moyen était de 67 ± 8 ans ; la prédominance féminine était marquée (72 femmes, 11 hommes, sex‑ratio F/H 6,5). L’hyperthyroïdie concernait 27 patients (32,5 %), dominée par le goitre multinodulaire toxique (63 %), compliquée d’une cardiothyréose dans 22 % des cas (6 patients). L’hypothyroïdie touchait 16 patients (19,2 %), principalement post‑thyroïdectomique (75 %). Un cancer thyroïdien confirmé était retrouvé chez 3 patients (3,6 %). Tous les patients hyperthyroïdiens ont reçu du carbimazole, et 10 (12,0 %) ont bénéficié d’une thyroïdectomie (indications : hyperthyroïdie récidivante, goitre compressif ou suspicion de cancer). Les 16 patients hypothyroïdiens ont été traités par lévothyroxine. Conclusion. La pathologie thyroïdienne est fréquente chez les sujets âgés à Conakry, avec une nette prédominance féminine. Le goitre multinodulaire toxique est la première cause d’hyperthyroïdie, compliquée de cardiothyréose dans un cinquième des cas. Un dépistage systématique chez la femme âgée serait bénéfique.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. In Guinea, thyroid disease in the elderly remains poorly characterized, despite an aging population. We conducted this study to describe the clinical and therapeutic features of thyroid disorders in patients aged 60 years or older at the Conakry University Hospital. Methods. We performed a six‑year retrospective descriptive study (2020‑2025) including all patients aged ≥60 years followed for thyroid disease in the endocrinology department. We extracted epidemiological, clinical, etiological, and treatment data from medical records and performed descriptive analysis (means, percentages). Results. Among 388 thyroid patients, 83 were aged ≥60 years (21.4%). Mean age was 67±8 years; female predominance was marked (72 women, 11 men, female‑to‑male ratio 6.5). Hyperthyroidism affected 27 patients (32.5%), dominated by toxic multinodular goiter (63%), complicated by cardiothyreosis in 22% (6 patients). Hypothyroidism affected 16 patients (19.2%), mostly post‑thyroidectomy (75%). Confirmed thyroid cancer was found in 3 patients (3.6%). All hyperthyroid patients received carbimazole, and 10 (12.0%) underwent thyroidectomy (indications: recurrent hyperthyroidism, compressive goiter, or suspected cancer). All 16 hypothyroid patients received levothyroxine. Conclusion. Thyroid disease is common in elderly patients in Conakry, with strong female predominance. Toxic multinodular goiter is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism, complicated by cardiothyreosis in one‑fifth of cases. Systematic screening in elderly women would be beneficial.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Diallo AM, Diallo MM, Diallo MC, Kourouma L, Dieng K, Diallo MDM, Barry MA, Bah A, Baldé Y, Kaké A
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