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Thyroid autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases
Regina M Innocencio1, João H Romaldini, Laura S Ward
1Department of Medicine, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas/UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. reginain@fcm.unicamp.br
Medicina
|July 9, 2004
Summary
Autoimmune thyroid disease is common in systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis but not antiphospholipid syndrome. Screening for thyroid dysfunction is recommended for patients with autoimmune conditions.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Thyroid dysfunction and autoantibodies are common in autoimmune diseases.
- Their prevalence in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is less understood.
- This study investigates thyroid abnormalities in systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and APS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of thyroid function and autoimmune abnormalities in patients with SSc, RA, and APS.
- To compare these findings with a healthy control group.
- To assess the association between autoimmune diseases and thyroid autoimmunity.
Main Methods:
- Compared serum TSH, free T4, TgAb, and TPOAb levels in 25 SSc, 25 RA, and 13 APS patients against 113 healthy controls.
- Included clinical examination focusing on thyroid disease and serologic immune profiling.
- Assessed rheumatoid factor, antinuclear, and anticardiolipin antibodies.
Main Results:
- Subclinical hypothyroidism (8%) and hyperthyroidism (6%) were observed.
- Thyroid autoantibodies (TgAb and/or TPOAb) were present in 33% of patients: 52% with SSc, 32% with RA, and 0% with APS.
- A significant association was found between SSc/RA and silent autoimmune thyroid disease (p<0.02).
Conclusions:
- Autoimmune thyroid disease is highly prevalent in SSc and RA, but not APS.
- Elevated thyroid antibody titers may be linked to underlying autoimmune disorders.
- Subclinical thyroid disease should be considered in the evaluation of patients with autoimmune diseases.