Maria Guadalupe Ruiz-Pacheco

Dr. Maria Guadalupe Ruiz-Pacheco

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 March 2023 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MRMaria Guadalupe Ruiz-Pacheco
Maria Guadalupe Ruiz-Pacheco
IHIrma Hernández
Irma Hernández
GHGuadalupe Hernández-Estrella
Guadalupe Hernández-Estrella
LBLourdes Basurto
Lourdes Basurto
GVGuadalupe Vargas-Ortega
Guadalupe Vargas-Ortega
LBLourdes Balcázar-Hernandez
Lourdes Balcázar-Hernandez
Background: Fatigue is a common symptom in hypothyroidism; however, the effect of levothyroxine on fatigue has been little studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of levothyroxine on fatigue in Latino patients with primary hypothyroidism, as well as the association of TSH and free T4 (FT4) with the severity and persistence of fatigue. Methods: A prospective study was performed in 92 patients with primary hypothyroidism. Fatigue severity scale (FSS) scores and clinical and biochemical characteristics before and at 6 months of levothyroxine were evaluated. Results: After 6 months of levothyroxine, a reduction in FSS (53 (47–57) vs. 36 (16–38); p = 0.001) and fatigue frequency (45.7% vs. 26.1%; p = 0.008) was evident. Both before and after 6 months of levothyroxine, there was a positive correlation of the FSS score with TSH and a negative correlation with FT4. Persistent fatigue was associated with a pretreatment FSS score (r = 0.75; p = 0.001) and diabetes (r = 0.40; p = 0.001). An FSS > 34 (RR 3.9 (95% CI 1.43–10.73; p = 0.008)), an FSS > 36 (RR 3.23 (95% CI 1.21–8.6; p = 0.019)), and diabetes (RR 5.7 (95% CI 1.25–9.6; p = 0.024)) before treatment were risk factors for persistent fatigue. Conclusions: Levothyroxine improved fatigue in most patients. Diabetes and an FSS score >34 or >36 before treatment were risk factors for persistent fatigue.