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Interferon-alpha-induced thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic active hepatitis C: a transient, reversible and

K Tsuboi1, M Katayama, R Yuasa

  • 1First Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|March 24, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) therapy for hepatitis C can cause temporary thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function typically normalizes without intervention, suggesting continued IFNalpha treatment is safe.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Hepatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic active hepatitis C is often treated with interferon-alpha (IFNalpha).
  • IFNalpha therapy is known to have potential side effects, including endocrine abnormalities.
  • Thyroid dysfunction is a recognized, though not fully understood, complication of IFNalpha treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and prognosis of thyroid dysfunction in patients undergoing IFNalpha therapy for chronic active hepatitis C.
  • To determine if IFNalpha-induced thyroid dysfunction requires treatment discontinuation.
  • To assess the reversibility and self-limiting nature of thyroid abnormalities during IFNalpha therapy.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 100 patients with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis C receiving IFNalpha therapy was studied.
  • Thyroid function was monitored by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels during and after IFNalpha treatment.
  • A control group of 14 patients without IFNalpha therapy was included for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Thyroid dysfunction, characterized by abnormal TSH levels, transient thyrotoxicosis, or transient hypothyroidism, occurred in 33.7% of patients on IFNalpha therapy.
  • Thyroid function normalized spontaneously in all affected patients during the follow-up period without thyroid hormone supplementation.
  • Thyroid abnormalities were significantly more frequent in the IFNalpha-treated group compared to the control group (7.1%).

Conclusions:

  • Interferon-alpha therapy can induce transient and reversible thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic active hepatitis C.
  • The findings suggest IFNalpha may unmask or exacerbate pre-existing autoimmune thyroid conditions.
  • Discontinuation of IFNalpha therapy is generally not necessary for managing IFNalpha-induced thyroid dysfunction.

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