ABSTRACT
Auto immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and thyroid disorders are caused by a reaction of the immune system against self antigens and there is a tendency for more than one syndrome in a patient. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of thyroid disorders in patients with RA and compare it with that in osteoarthritis [OA] patients, as well as determination of characteristics of RA patients with thyroid disorders. Subjects were 80 patients with RA and 80 age and sex matched patients with osteoarthritis. All participants were examined for thyroid disorders by physical examination and thyroid function tests. Criteria of disease activity in RA patients were recorded. Clinical hypothyroidism was observed in 13 [16.3%] of RA patients, which was not significantly different from controls [p=0.3]. Existence of antithyroid peroxidase antibody [Anti TPO Ab] was lower in RA patients [20% vs. 36.3%] [p=0.02] and thyroid nodules were more prevalent in RA patients [17.5% vs. 7.5%] [p=0.1]. There were two RA patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. No significant difference was found in patients' age, seropositivity and disease activity in RA patients with or without thyroid disorders [p < 0.05]. Patients with RA and OA did not have any significant difference in thyroid dysfunction. RA patients did not have any particular characteristic pointing to a requirement for assessment of thyroid disorders, too. Because of its importance in cardiovascular disorders, monitoring of thyroid function in all patients with RA is recommended