Risk of Thyroid Disorders in Patients with Gout and Hyperuricemia

The risk of thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction among patients with gout and hyperuricemia has not been well defined. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of gout and hyperuricemia on risk of thyroid disorders including thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the risk of thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction related to gout and hyperuricemia, which included 115 gout patients, 439 hyperuricemic patients, and 2 254 individuals without gout and hyperuricemia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 observational studies was also done to systematically evaluate the risk of thyroid dysfunction among patients with gout and hyperuricemia. Findings from the cross-sectional study suggested a significantly increased risk of hypothyroidism among female gout patients (OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.15-5.17, p=0.02). Besides, gout could also substantially increase risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in women (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.53-6.49, p=0.002). The meta-analysis proved a considerably increased risk of hypothyroidism among both gout patients (OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.23-1.85, p<0.001) and hyperuricemic patients (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.61, p=0.002). Moreover, this meta-analysis also suggested that gout could also significantly increase the risk of hyperthyroidism (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.06-1.48, p=0.01). The findings from the study suggest increasing risk of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis among gout patients. Moreover, gout but not hyperuricemia is linked to increased risk of hyperthyroidism. More studies are warranted to elucidate the influence of gout and hyperuricemia on thyroid disorders.