Comparison of thyroid microsomal and thyroperoxidase antibody levels in sera from Omani patients with thyroid disorders

ABSTRACT

Recent literatures suggested that using anti-thyroperoxidase is a more sensitive marker of autoimmune thyroid diseases than anti-thyroid microsomal [ATMA]. We compared serum values of thyroperoxidase [TPO] and ATMA in Omani patients with thyroid disorders. Material and Anti-TPO antibodies and ATMA were assayed on sera from 111 Omani patients with thyroid disorders. Sera from patients with systemic Lupus erythematosus [SLE] and 50 healthy normal subjects were also included as control A significant positive correlation was observed between TPO and ATMA antibody levels [r=0.914, p<0.00001]. There was a significant difference [p< 0.001] between the percentages of positive sera for both TPO [72%] and ATMA [64%] in patients with thyroid disorders when compared to those from SLE [15% and17.5%] and normal controls [6% and 8%] respectively. We conclude that there is a positive correlation between the two assays [TPO and ATMA]. Therefore, TPO can be used as a strong indicator for autoimmune thyroid disorders in Omani patients