ABSTRACT
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a systemic autoimmune disease with many clinical manifestations and immunological abnormalities. SLE and autoimmune thyroid disease are at the two endpoints of a shared immunogenetic mechanism
Aim of the study: To evaluate the link between SLE and thyroid disorders
Patients and Methods: Thirty patients known to have SLE were recruited in this study, with age ranged from 17 to 35 years. All patients were submitted to history taking, clinical examination, and relevant laboratory investigation
Results: Thyroid disorders were common [33.3%] in lupus patients. Hypothyroidism was the commonest [16.6%] abnormality in SLE patients then euthyroid [10.0%], and lastly hyperthyroidism [6.6%]. The mean age of SLE patients was 26.1 +/- 1.5 year. Eighty percent of the patients were females. The most common SLEcharacteristics were malar flush [90.0%], photosenstivity [80.0%], fever [70.0%], and arthritis [50.0%]. Mean Hb level was 9.2 +/- 0.59 g/dL. While, mean values of acute phase reactants were erythrocyte sedmentaion rate [ESR] at 1[st] and 2[nd] hour [74.3 +/- 6.6 and 121.4 +/- 5.26 mm/h, respectively] and C-reactive protein [20 +/- 6.7 mg/L]. The means of FT[3], FT[4], TSH, TG Ab, and anti thyroperoxidase [TPO] Abin SLE patients were 136.6 +/- 14.1 ng/dL, 8.83 +/- 1.2 ng/dL, 4.15 +/- 1.27ng/dL, 15.12 +/- 11.15ng/dL, and 121 +/- 65.4 IU/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, 30.0% and 76.7% of SLE patients were +ve for rheumatoid factor [RF] and antineuclearAb, respectively. There were 6.7% and 16.7% of the patients +ve for thyroglobulin Ab and anti TPO Ab, respectively. The statistically significant differences parameters in SLE patients with normal and abnormal thyroid function were ESR at 1 and 2 hours, RF, and antiTPO Ab [P=0.00, 0.00, 0.03, and 0.03, respectively]. The statistically significant differences parameters of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data in SLE patients with normal and subgroups of abnormal thyroid function were age, SLE duration, Hb level, RBC, WBC, PLT, and ESR at 1 and 2 hours [P=0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.001, 0.0001, 0.00, 0.00, and 0.00, respectively]
Conclusion and Recommendation: Thyroid disorders are common in SLE patients. The most common form is hypothyrodism. Patients with SLE should be evaluated for thyroid disorders by testing FT[3], FT[4], TSH, TG Ab, and anti PO Ab for early detection of thyroid abnormalities. Further studies are needed to support and clarify the association between SLE and thyroid disorders