Heart rate variability and arrhythmic pattern among patients with goiter in southwest Nigeria

Goiter remains prevalent in iodine-deficient communities of developing countries, such as Nigeria. It may present with cardiovascular abnormalities, including impaired heart rate variability (HRV) and arrhythmias. Impaired HRV has not been fully studied among patients in Nigeria despite the endemicity of goiter. We, therefore, aim to evaluate HRV and arrhythmic patterns among goiter patients in southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 40 hyperthyroid, 40 euthyroid, and 20 hypothyroid participants, as well as 20 age- and gender-matched control participants, who all had cardiovascular evaluation, thyroid function tests, and 24-h Holter electrocardiogram monitoring. The mean ages among the hyperthyroid, euthyroid, hypothyroid, and control populations were 41.53 ± 14.90, 40.67 ± 12.29, 43.78 ± 11.49, and 46.92 ± 13.85 years, respectively. Cardiac arrhythmia was more prominent in the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups (p