Abstract ID: 68
Affiliations:
University of the Philippines Manila
Background: Thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are prevalent endocrine disorders with serious health implications, yet they remain widely underdiagnosed in the Philippines. These conditions may present with vague symptoms and are often missed until advanced. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is the gold standard for screening. Despite the availability of effective treatment, outdated national prevalence data and limited community-based surveillance hinder early diagnosis, especially among high-risk populations such as women, the elderly, and those with metabolic conditions. Methods: From December 2024 to March 2025, community-based screening was implemented using a mobile-based thyroid screening initiative in Pampanga. Adults aged <¥18 years were screened using point-of-care TSH tests. Pre-screening was based on the presence of signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, history of thyroid nodules or surgery, pregnancy, miscarriage, primary infertility, autoimmune disease, dyslipidemia, BMI <¥30"¯kg/m², elderly status, type 2 diabetes, family history, or being part of an indigenous population. Individuals with abnormal TSH were referred for further testing and care. Results: A total of 2,137 individuals were tested 1,772 (83.2%) females and 358 (16.8%) males. The most common reasons for testing were family history, elderly status, and BMI <¥30. Thyroid dysfunction was found in 239 individuals (11.2%): subclinical hypothyroidism (5.82%), true hyperthyroidism (2.96%), true hypothyroidism (1.27%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.17%). Women had higher prevalence than men. Symptomatic presentation was the strongest predictor across all categories. Discussion: This initiative highlights the value of targeted screening among high-risk groups using mobile outreach. The findings support prioritizing women, elderly individuals, and those with metabolic risk factors. Community-based thyroid screening, paired with education and referral, offers a scalable and impactful approach to early detection, especially in resource-limited settings. Policy support for updated surveillance and sustained implementation is urgently needed.
Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), primary care, thyroid screening, community-based screening