Exercise Capacity, Physical Activity Levels in Patients With Hyperthyroid

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate physical activity level and functional exercise capacity in patients with hyperthyroid. The secondary aim of the study is assessment of respiratory function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep and quality of life in patients with hyperthyroid and compare them with healthy controls.

Hyperthyroidism is a pathological disease in which the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones are increased by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone excess affects many systems. Common clinical symptoms are fatigue, palpitations, disturbed sleep, weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, tremors, polydipsia, and anxiety. Common physical findings are tachycardia, extremity tremors and weight loss.

Thyroid hormone directly affects skeletal muscles. Increased thyroid hormone causes myopathy with a decrease in muscle strength and mass. Hyperthyroid myopathy can cause a decrease in exercise capacity. The main cause of exercise intolerance in individuals with hyperthyroidism is the change in energy metabolism. The number of studies investigating the exercise capacity in hyperthyroid patients is limited. Information support will be provided to the literature by evaluating the exercise capacity in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Physical activity is positively associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Neuromuscular symptoms and exercise intolerance seen with thyroid hormone excess can lead people to an inactive life. Indirect calorimetry, the gold standard in energy expenditure, has been shown to be highly correlated with metabolic holter.There are no studies evaluating physical activity level with metabolic holter in individuals with hyperthyroidism. In this study, physical activity level will be evaluated by metabolic holter.

Patients with hyperthyroidism referred to the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Gazi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department by the physicians of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Department of Internal Diseases of Gazi University Faculty of Medicine will be included in the study. Patients and healthy individuals will be evaluated and the evaluation results will be compared. According to the sample size analysis 15 patients and 15 healthy individuals with similar demographic characteristics will be included the study. Patients and healthy individuals will be selected according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients will be evaluated twice. The first evaluation will be made in the new diagnosis. The second evaluation will be made in the euthyroidism.The assessments will be completed in two days.

Functional exercise capacity (6 minutes walk test and 6 minutes stepper test), physical activity level (multi-sensor activity monitor), respiratory functions (spirometer), respiratory muscle strength (mouth pressure measurement), peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), respiratory muscle endurance (incremental threshold loading test), quality of life (The Thyroid-Related Quality of Life-ThyPRO), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), depression-anxiety-stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and shortness of breath (Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC)) will be evaluated.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria for patients group: Patients who are;

* Individuals diagnosed with hyperthyroidism by a physician
* Individuals between the ages of 18-70

Exclusion criteria for patients group: Patients who are;

* Use of drugs that affect the heart rate (except for short-term beta blockers given to relieve thyrotoxicosis symptoms)
* having problems that limit physical activity (orthopedic, neurological, psychological)
* having comorbidities such as uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure or atrial fibrillation
* use of any medication that may affect thyroid function
* patients with acute infection during evaluation
* patients with uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus

Inclusion criteria for healthy group: Participants who are;

* being between ages of 18 and 70
* willing to participate to the study

Exclusion criteria for healthy group: Participants who are;

* having any diagnosis of chronic diseases
* having health problems such as cooperation
* having acute infection during evaluation
* being current smokers
* being ex-smokers (≥10 pack\*years)