[Risk factors of childhood systemic lupus erythematosus with thyroid dysfunction].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Endocrinology
• Nephrology

Context:

• Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease.
• Thyroid dysfunction is a recognized comorbidity in SLE patients.
• The interplay between SLE, thyroid function, and lupus nephritis (LN) requires further investigation.

Purpose:

• To determine the risk factors associated with thyroid dysfunction in children diagnosed with SLE.
• To examine the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and the severity of kidney injury in lupus nephritis.

Summary:

• This retrospective study analyzed 253 pediatric SLE patients and 70 controls, finding a significantly higher incidence of thyroid dysfunction (48.2%) in the SLE group.
• Patients with thyroid dysfunction exhibited higher SLE disease activity scores (SLEDAI-2K), elevated triglyceride and D-dimer levels, and more severe renal damage compared to those with normal thyroid function.
• Elevated triglyceride and D-dimer levels were identified as independent risk factors for thyroid dysfunction in pediatric SLE, and thyroid hormone levels correlated with lupus nephritis activity.

Impact:

• Highlights the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pediatric SLE, emphasizing the need for routine thyroid screening.
• Identifies specific biomarkers (triglyceride, D-dimer) for assessing the risk of thyroid dysfunction in this population.
• Suggests a potential link between thyroid hormone levels and lupus nephritis progression, warranting further research into therapeutic implications.