BACKGROUND:Mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC), a systemic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in >90% of cases, is frequently complicated by multiple organ involvement. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in MC has not yet been studied. AIM:To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of thyroid involvement in patients with HCV-associated MC (HCV + MC). DESIGN:Case-control study. METHODS:HCV + MC patients (n = 93, 17 men and 76 women, mean +/- SD age 63 +/- 10 years, mean disease duration 14 +/- 7 years) consecutively referred to the Rheumatology Unit were matched by sex and age (+/- 2 years) to (i) 93 patients with chronic C hepatitis (CH) without MC and (ii) 93 healthy (HCV-negative) controls from the local population. Measurements included prevalence of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. RESULTS:By McNemar's chi(2) test, the following thyroid abnormalities were significantly more frequent in HCV + MC patients than in HCV-negative controls: serum anti-thyroperoxidase autoantibody (AbTPO) (28% vs. 9%, p = 0.001); serum AbTPO and/or anti-thyroglobulin autoantibody (31% vs. 12%, p = 0.004); subclinical hypothyroidism (11% vs. 2%, p = 0.038); thyroid autoimmunity (35% vs. 16%, p = 0.006). Serum AbTPO were also significantly more frequent in HCV + MC patients than in CH controls (28% vs. 14%, p = 0.035). DISCUSSION:The prevalence of thyroid disorders is increased in patients with HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia. We suggest careful monitoring of thyroid function in these patients.
Autori interni: | |
Autori: | Antonelli, Alessandro; Ferri, C; Fallahi, P; Giuggioli, D; Nesti, C; Longombardo, G; Fadda, P; Pampana, A; Maccheroni, M; Ferrannini, Eleuterio |
Titolo: | Thyroid involvement in patients with overt HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia |
Anno del prodotto: | 2004 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1093/qjmed/hch088 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Articolo in rivista |