Relationship between Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine the characteristics of rheumatoid patients with thyroid disorders.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study over a six months period. Patients with RA were examined for thyroid disorders by clinical examination, biological tests and ultrasound exams. The characteristics of the rheumatic disease were recorded.

Results: Fifty five patients (41 women and 14 men) were enrolled into study. Mean age was 55.5±10 years, rheumatoid factor was positive in 89.1%, and 63.6% of them had an active RA (DAS28>5.1). Thyroid abnormalities were detected in 40% of the patients (n=22). The mean abnormality seen was asymptomatic nodules without biological dysfunction. There were no differences between RA patients with and without thyroid abnormalities in all characteristics of the rheumatic disease. Patients with RA have a high prevalence of thyroid abnormalities but this does not interfere with the characteristics of the articular disease.

Conclusion: Screening of thyroid disease should be done, as well as osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk factors, which are elevated in RA and are associated with some thyroid diseases.