1. Gender-driven thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Clinical significance of an overlooked association and global stance.
- Author
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Jali, Ibtisam M.A.
- Abstract
This study aimed to determine the association of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Out of a cohort including 312 adult SLE patients those with thyroid dysfunction (n = 53) were further evaluated. The medical history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations and medications received were recorded. The SLICC damage index (SLICC-DI) was assessed. Thyroid dysfunction formed 17 % of the patients and their mean age was 39.5 ± 11.5 years and disease duration 5.6 ± 3.3 years were comparable to those without thyroid disorder, however female gender was predominantly higher (F:M 52:1 vs 6.2:1, p < 0.0001). The frequency of thyroid dysfunction was alike in Saudi (16 %) and non-Saudi (17.9 %) patients (p = 0.66). The majority of cases (96.2 %) had hypothyroidism, one with autoimmune thyroiditis, while only 2 (3.8 %) had hyperthyroidism. There was a significantly increased frequency of associated neuropsychiatric manifestations (64.2 % vs 45.2 %;p = 0.012), and hematological involvement (32.1 % vs 14.3 %; p = 0.011) and less complement (C4) consumption (15.1 % vs 23.6 %; p = 0.048) in those with thyroid dysfunction compared to those without. The frequency of anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA) positivity tended to be higher (71.7 % vs 66.8 %) and its titre significantly lower (316.3 ± 319.8 IU/ml vs 461.3 ± 459.1; p = 0.013). The SLICC-DI and mortality rate were comparable between groups. Only the presence of proteinuria inversely significantly correlated with the level of T4 (r = -0.31, p = 0.007). Thyroid dysfunction forms a notable percentage of SLE patients with a prominent female gender propensity. The significant relation of thyroid disorders to neuropsychiatric manifestations, hematological involvement, C4 consumption and anti-dsDNA deserves recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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