AUTHOR=Li Qian , Wang Bin , Mu Kaida , Zhang Jing , Yang Yanping , Yao Wei , Zhu Jie , Zhang Jin-an
TITLE=Increased Risk of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology
VOLUME=9
YEAR=2019
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2018.00799
DOI=10.3389/fendo.2018.00799
ISSN=1664-2392
ABSTRACT=Background: Thyroid dysfunction seems to be common among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the risk of thyroid dysfunction in RA has not been well-defined.
Methods: We performed a case-control study of 65 RA patients and 550 matched non-RA subjects to assess the risk of thyroid dysfunction among Chinese RA patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis was also conducted to comprehensively define the relationship between RA and thyroid dysfunction.
Results: The case-control study indicated that the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in RA patients than controls (OR = 2.89, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analyses revealed positive correlations of RA with hypothyroidism (OR = 2.28, P = 0.006) and hyperthyroidism (OR = 8.95, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between RA and thyroid dysfunction (Adjusted OR = 2.89, 95%CI 1.63–5.12, P < 0.001). Meta-analysis of 15 independent studies also showed an obviously increased risk of thyroid dysfunction among RA patients (RR = 2.86, 95%CI 1.78–4.58, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed RA could obviously increase risk of hyperthyroidism (RR = 2.73, 95%CI 1.29–5.77, P = 0.043) and hypothyroidism (RR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.49–2.74, P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our study provides strong evidence for the increased risk of thyroid dysfunction among RA patients. Screening of thyroid dysfunction may be recommended for RA patients.