P051 - THYROID STORM: THE ACUTE METABOLIC EMERGENCY – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

P051

"THYROID STORM: THE ACUTE METABOLIC EMERGENCY – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW"

A. Spiljak^1,*

¹Institute for Healthcare of Transportation Employees Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Rationale: The scientific questions addressed in this paper are twofold: First, how prevalent is thyroid storm as an acute, life-threatening condition in the modern medical landscape, considering the advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Second, what is the current mortality rate associated with thyroid storm, and how have recent developments in management and early intervention affected patient outcomes.

Methods: For this systematic review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify studies published in English.

Results: This systematic review included 15 studies on thyroid storm as an acute metabolic condition. The prevalence of thyroid storm in hyperthyroid patients is estimated at 1-2%. Mortality associated with thyroid storm ranges from 10-30%. In cases with delayed diagnosis or comorbidities such as heart failure, mortality is higher. With faster diagnosis and treatment, mortality drops to 10-15%, while in severe cases, it can reach 30%. Key factors affecting prognosis include delayed symptom recognition, patient age, and cardiovascular issues. Advances in therapy, such as antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers, and iodine, have reduced mortality, but intensive medical care remains essential.

Conclusion: Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and immediate intervention. Due to the variability of symptoms, early recognition can be challenging, but timely detection and appropriate treatment are crucial to prevent complications. Treatment includes anti-thyroid drugs, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, iodine, and supportive care such as hydration and electrolyte correction. Identifying and addressing precipitating factors like infections or trauma is also essential. Despite advances in therapy, thyroid storm still carries a high mortality rate, especially in older patients or those who receive late treatment.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared