Frequency of autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis and effect of anti-TNF alpha treatment

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, the frequency of thyroid disorders in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and the effect of anti TNF-alpha treatment on autoimmune thyroid disease were investigated. Materials and Methods: Thyroid stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, antithyroglobulin(Tg) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) of 95 patients followed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Sixty-six patients with PsA (F/M: 43/23) whose data were complete, and 35 healthy controls (F/M: 25/10) were included in the study. Thyroid ultrasonography was applied to all cases by an endocrinology specialist. Results :38 of the PsA patients received disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (Group 1; mean age: 43.94 +/- 9.81), and 28 anti TNF-alpha treatment (Group 2; mean age:42.25 +/- 11.48). Group 3 was comprised of healthy controls (mean age: 40.52 +/- 8.34). Significant differences were observed between the mean anti-TPO values and anti-Tg values of all groups. Conclusion: Autoimmune thyroid disorders were observed more frequently in patients with PsA than in the control group. The PsA patients who are receiving DMARDs appeared to have autoimmune thyroid disorders more frequently than those receiving anti TNF-alpha treatment. This condition may be resulting from TNF-alpha on the pathogenesis of thyroid disorders.