Validation of Billewicz scoring system for detection of overt hypothyroidism during pregnancy

Nazarpour, Sima, Tehrani, Fahimeh Ramezani, Rahmati, Maryam, Minooee, Sonia, Simbar, Masoumeh, Noroozzadeh, Mahsa, and Azizi, Fereidoun (2018) Validation of Billewicz scoring system for detection of overt hypothyroidism during pregnancy. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 16 (3). e64249.

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Abstract

Background: Currently, various clinical and laboratory diagnostic methods are used to detect overt hypothyroidism during pregnancy. The Billewicz scoring index, as a clinical scale for detection of hypothyroidism, has been applied in general populations; however, its application during pregnancy remains a controversial subject of ongoing research.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Billewicz scoring index for overt hypothyroidism in a general population of Iranian pregnant women.

Methods: This study was conducted on 1843 pregnant women. A comprehensive questionnaire, including Billewicz scoring items, was completed, and relevant clinical examinations were performed. The participants underwent serum measurements of thyroxine (T4), thyroid hormone uptake, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb). Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal sensitivity and specificity were determined as values with maximum yields on the Youden and Rsquo’s Index (sensitivity + specificity-1).

Results: The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism was 3.3% and 28.6%, respectively. Overall, 3.6%, 18.9%, and 50% of euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid, and overt hypothyroid women were TPOAb-positive, respectively. The mean Billewicz scores of euthyroid, overt hypothyroid, and subclinical hypothyroid women were -41.16 (11.16), -17.11 (13.63), and -40.1 (11.2), respectively. Based on the Billewicz scale, at least one sign of hypothyroidism was reported in 38.84% (n, 491) of euthyroid women. Scores ≤ -26.5 (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 90.82%) were considered as the optimal scores for predicting overt hypothyroidism (Ldquo, Norisk, and Rsquo).

Conclusions: The Billewicz clinical scoring system, as a reliable and inexpensive clinical tool, used along with laboratory measurements, can help screen overt hypothyroidism during pregnancy, primarily in low-resource settings.

Item ID: 77749
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1726-9148
Copyright Information: Copyright © 2018, International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative CommonsAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited
Date Deposited: 28 Nov 2023 22:24
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320208 Endocrinology @ 50%
32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3215 Reproductive medicine > 321502 Obstetrics and gynaecology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200101 Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions @ 100%
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