Cutaneous manifestations in autoimmune thyroid disease: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Dermatology
• Autoimmune diseases
• Thyroid disorders

Background:

• Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, are chronic conditions affecting thyroid function.
• Thyroid hormones influence skin, hair, and nail health, leading to potential dermatological issues in patients with AITDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of dermatological findings in individuals with AITDs.
• To investigate the association between these skin conditions and specific laboratory markers.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 85 adult participants, divided into AITD (n=63) and control (n=22) groups.
• Dermatological examinations were performed, assessing conditions like xerosis cutis, hair loss, pruritus, and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Laboratory tests included TSH, fT3, fT4, anti-TPO, and anti-Tg levels, with statistical analyses to identify correlations and associations.

Main Results:

• Dermatological findings were significantly more prevalent in the AITD group (55.6%) compared to controls (27.3%).
• Xerosis cutis showed a significant positive association with AITDs (r=0.248).
• Elevated anti-TPO antibodies (OR=3.18), higher TSH levels (OR=1.82), and the presence of skin findings (OR=4.43) were independently associated with AITDs.

Conclusions:

• Dermatological manifestations, especially xerosis cutis, are frequently observed in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.
• Skin findings, in conjunction with anti-TPO and TSH levels, demonstrate independent associations and may serve as valuable clinical indicators for evaluating AITDs.