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[Hepatitis C virus infection and thyroid diseases]
C Broussolle1, M P Steineur, F Bailly
1Service de médecine interne, Hôtel-Dieu, Lyon, France.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to thyroid autoimmunity, with interferon alpha treatment potentially causing thyroid dysfunction. Further research is needed to clarify these connections and treatment risks.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a significant prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity.
- Interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C can induce various thyroid dysfunctions, primarily hypothyroidism.
- The interplay between HCV, thyroid autoimmunity, and interferon treatment requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in HCV-infected patients.
- To examine the impact of interferon alpha treatment on thyroid function in chronic hepatitis C.
- To explore the relationship between HCV infection and autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on HCV infection and thyroid diseases.
- Analysis of data on anti-thyroid auto-antibody prevalence in HCV patients.
- Evaluation of clinical presentations and outcomes of interferon-induced thyroid dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Anti-thyroid auto-antibodies are found in 4.6-15% of HCV patients, particularly in females.
- Interferon alpha treatment causes thyroid dysfunction in 3-15% of cases, with hypothyroidism being more common.
- Thyroid dysfunction can manifest during or after interferon treatment, with immunological mechanisms implicated.
Conclusions:
- Further clinical studies are essential to elucidate the links between HCV infection and thyroid autoimmunity.
- Identifying risk factors for thyroid dysfunction during interferon alpha therapy is crucial.
- Basic research is needed to understand the effects of HCV and interferon on thyroid autoimmunity and function.
Introduction:
The combination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and thyroid diseases raises several issues that are the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with chronic hepatitis C, the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, and the effects of interferon alpha treatment on thyroid function in chronic HCV hepatitis.
Current Knowledge And Key Points:
The prevalence of anti-thyroid auto-antibodies ranges from 4.6 to 15% in HCV infection, which is considered as significant by various authors. Results have to be interpreted according to the following: the type of auto-antibodies detected, the age, sex, ethnic origin of the population studied, and characteristics of the control population. Recent data are suggestive of a high prevalence of anti-thyroid auto-antibodies in females with HCV infection. An increased prevalence of HCV infection in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not confirmed. During treatment of chronic hepatitis C, interferon alpha induces thyroid dysfunctions (3 to 15% of the cases) with various clinical presentations. Hypothyroidism is more common (two out of three cases) than hyperthyroidism (one out of three cases). Hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism has also been described. Clinical symptoms vary, ranging from subclinical to severe manifestations. Thyroid dysfunction may be delayed after discontinuation of the interferon treatment. Hypothyroidism is easily cured by L-thyroxine replacement therapy when necessary, and regression may be observed following discontinuation of interferon treatment. Each case of hyperthyroidism has to be precisely evaluated. Development of anti-thyroid antibodies or an increase in anti-thyroid antibodies titers is often observed during interferon alpha treatment, thus suggesting the existence of immunological mechanisms at the origin of thyroid dysfunction. Furthermore, interferon would directly act on iodine.
Future Prospects And Projects:
Clinical studies are still necessary to better clarify the links between HCV infection and thyroid autoimmunity, and to determine risk factors for the development of thyroid dysfunction during interferon alpha therapy. The effects of HCV and interferon alpha on thyroid autoimmunity and function have to be investigated in basic research.