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Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, commonly known as HD, is one of the most common thyroid disorders. Due to the diverse factors affecting the etiopathogenesis of this disease (hormonal disorders and genetic and environmental factors), as well as the direct involvement of the immune system, scientists are increasingly willing to undertake research aimed at explaining the impact of the loss of immune tolerance and reactivity of autoantigens on the development of the disease. One of the directions of research in recent years is the role of the innate immune response, particularly Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in the pathogenesis of HD. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression on selected populations of immune cells, namely, monocytes (MONs) and dendritic cells (DCs), in the course of HD. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of TLR2's correlation with clinical parameters and the possibility its use as a potential biomarker molecule in the diagnostic process. Based on the obtained results, we found a statistically significant increase in the percentage of all analyzed populations of immune cells, i.e., mDC BDCA-1+CD19−, pDC BDCA-1+CD123, classical MONs CD14+CD16−, and non-classical MONs CD14+CD16+ showing on their surface TLR2 expression in patients diagnosed with HD compared to the healthy volunteers. Moreover, in the study group, we noted a more than 6-fold increase in the concentration of the soluble form of TLR2 in plasma compared to healthy patients. In addition, the correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between the level of TLR2 expression on selected subpopulations of immune cells and biochemical indicators of thyroid function. Based on the obtained results, we can assume that TLR2 may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypothyroidism is a complex disorder characterized by an increase in body weight. About 15–30% of hypothyroid patients are reported to be overweight. The triathlon is an endurance combination sport that comprises a sequential swim, cycle, and run. Triathletes must withstand high training loads with various combinations of intensity and volume. Adequate body structure, the ratio of fat and muscle tissue, and adequate hydration play a huge role. The aim of our study was to show the potential differences in metabolic parameters assessed by medical Body Composition Analyzer before the initiation of treatment with L-thyroxine and after 3 and 6 months of treatment in females who practiced triathlon and who were newly diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Methods: The study group included 32 females practicing triathlon. They were recruited for 10 months from March to December 2021. Analysis of anthropometric measurements was performed using a seca device mBCA 515 medical Body Composition Analyzer. Results: We observed significant differences in FM and VAT before and after L-thyroxine treatment. We also noticed lower BMI levels after treatment, along with significant differences in thyroid function tests (TSH and fT4) carried out during the recruitment period and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Conclusion: Due to their higher daily energy consumption, further research is needed into the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in athletes who practice triathlon. Frequent bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition during treatment can be very helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common diseases in humans. Their pathogenesis is complex, pushing patients to search different ways of alleviating their effects, one of which is diet change. The aim of this study was to assess the role of medical personnel in shaping eating habits in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease based on experiences declared by patients. Methods: We examined 208 individuals, of which 205 were qualified for final investigation. We selected study participants using accidental sampling, based on their appearance in health care facilities, including the ones providing endocrinological advices. The relationships between the qualitative features were tested using the Chi-square test of independence, assuming the significance level of p < 0.05. In the case of the expected cardinality < 10, the Chi-square test with correction for Yates continuity was used, while for the cardinality < 5—the Fisher exact test. Results: People with thyroid disease are statistically more likely to use dietitian advice than people without thyroid disease. The highest percentage of respondents decided to modify their nutrition due to their own initiative. In addition, patients with autoimmune thyroid disease are statistically more likely to consider changing their diet to improve their well-being. The connection between the source of advice and modification of eating behaviour was also noted. Conclusion: Thanks to the joint effort of medical staff, patients can receive reliable knowledge about their disease, treatment and nutrition adapted to their needs. Trial registration approved by the Bioethics Committee of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (opinion no.: PCN/0022/KB1/80/2) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism and one of the most frequent organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Its pathogenesis is polygenic and still requires further research. The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time in the Caucasian population, the role of selected TPO gene promoter polymorphisms (rs2071399 G/A, rs2071400C/T, rs2071402 A/G, and rs2071403 A/G) in the development of AIT. A total of 237 patients diagnosed with AIT and 130 healthy controls were genotyped for four TPO gene polymorphisms, and the results were statistically analyzed to check for the role of these polymorphisms. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the studied TPO gene promoter polymorphisms between patients and controls ( p > 0.05). The haplotype distribution (rs2071400-rs2071402-rs2071403) between the two studied groups was similar for the most common variants (CGA, CAG, TGG). Only a rare haplotype (CGG) occurred more frequently among patients compared to controls ( p = 0.04). The studied TPO gene promoter polymorphisms did not show an association with susceptibility to AIT in the Caucasian Polish population, contrary to the results in Japanese patients.

Purpose. Vitamin D, besides its role in calcium-phosphorus metabolism, turned out to play a significant immunomodulating function. Until now four single nucleotide polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR), rs2228570 (FokI), rs1544410 (BsmI), rs7975232 (ApaI), and rs731236 (TaqI), have been studied in autoimmune thyroid disorders, with conflicting results. Another functional polymorphism of the VDR gene, rs11568820 (Cdx2), has been shown to influence the immune system, although it has not been studied for its association with autoimmune thyroiditis to date. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the association of these five VDR gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis among Caucasian Polish population. A relationship between the studied polymorphisms and selected clinical features of the disease was additionally assessed. Methods. 223 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and 130 control subjects were enrolled in the study. VDR polymorphisms were studied by PCR-RFLP or TaqMan real-time PCR. Results. Allele and genotype distributions of any of the studied polymorphisms did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Similarly, frequencies of haplotypes derived from rs1544410-rs7975232-rs731236 (BsmI-ApaI-TaqI) polymorphisms were not significantly different in the two studied groups. However, a weak association between rs1544410 (BsmI) or rs7975232 (ApaI) VDR polymorphisms and thyroid volume was found (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, resp.). Conclusions. Our results suggest that VDR gene is not a major susceptibility factor for autoimmune thyroiditis development, at least in Caucasian Polish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting a significant percent of the population, especially women. It may have serious and long-lasting consequences. The etiology of AT is multifactorial and it arises from an interplas between environmental and genetic factors. Tendencies in AT prevalence and incidence are unclear. In Poland there are no national registers covering the data on AT prevalence. Objectives. The aim of the investigation was to assess changes in diagnosing AT in the largest chain of outpatient medical centers in Poland. Material and methods. We compared freqnancy at which AT and hypothyroidism diagnoses were made during endocrinology consultations in the period 2006-2013. The data was extracted from the database of LUXMED (part of BUPA). Results. Within 8 years, the prevalence of newly diagnosed AT dropped from 10.4% to 4.8% (p < 0.001) alongside with a decrease in the prevalence of newly diagnosed hypothyroidism from 17.8% to 7.7% (p < 0.00001). AT was widespread in young women aged 20-39. There were relatively more cases in the southern areas of Poland. Conclusions. The analyzed data does not support a hypothesis indicating a growing incidence of AT in the last years. Detailed epidemiological studies would be helpful in designing screening strategies for patients with this common disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic cells (DCs), considered as one of the crucial immune regulatory populations, are implicated in the immune pathology of various disorders. Also in the thyroid gland, DCs were shown to be involved in early and chronic phases of various types of autoimmunity -- including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. In thyroid malignant processes, DCs are suggested as an important element of both tumour defence and tumour immune evasion mechanisms. Recent findings emphasize a crucial role of interactions between particular DC subsets and other regulatory cell populations (e.g. FoxP3+ regulatory T cells) in thyroid pathology. Additionally, an increasing attention has been paid to the control of DC function by thyrometabolic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and clinical significance of thyroid autoimmunity in children with the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1. The study group comprised 222 children all with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1 (122 boys) with a mean age 9.92 ± 4.5 years, who were admitted to a regional diabetes division in 2000–2004. Assessment of ATA and ATG were performed and two emerging groups—ATA/ATG (+) and ATA/ATG (−) were compared, including anthropometric data, HbA1C, plasma lipids, TSH, fT4. Positive antibodies titre was found in 27 (12.16%) of the children. Apart from older age in the antibody positive group (11.67 vs. 9.67 years, p < 0.05), there were no significant differences among these groups regarding other clinical and laboratory characteristics. Concluding, the presence of thyroid autoantibodies in 12.16% of subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes confirms the necessity of screening of all children, especially adolescents from the time of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1 onwards. No association between existence of autoantibodies and the clinical status of a child at the presentation of diabetes was demonstrated by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic highlighted the serious problems of health care systems but also threatened the mental and physical health of patients worldwide. The goal of this study was to assess psychological health and insomnia in people with chronic diseases in the time of elevated stress associated with the pandemic. The study involved 879 people from Zachodniopomorskie province in Poland. Each participant provided basic demographic data, data on symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety and information on concomitant diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, heart failure, dyslipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Hashimoto's disease and smoking cigarettes. Chronic diseases included in this study showed a strong correlation between Hashimoto's disease and increase scores according to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI, r = 0.797, p < 0.001), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7, r = 0.766, p < 0.001) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, r = 0.767, p < 0.001). After the results were corrected for age, gender, diagnosed hypertension, dyslipidemia and cigarette smoking, it was confirmed that the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease was associated with an increased risk of anxiety (odds ratio (OR) = 2.225; p < 0.001), depression (OR = 2.518; p < 0.001) and insomnia (OR = 3.530; p < 0.001). Our study showed that during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic patients with Hashimoto's disease show a higher risk of insomnia, anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is characterised by infiltration of lymphocytes and destruction of thyroid gland. It results from the interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Among environmental factors some infections, medications and inadequate micronutrients supply like selenium (Se) deficiency are believed to play a role., Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the serum selenium concentration in patients with AIT and healthy volunteers in the Polish population living in the Poznan district, and to compare our results with similar trials conducted on other European AIT groups., Materials and Methods: Fifty three patients with AIT were included in the study. Elevated thyroperoxidase antibodies and/or thyroglobulin antibodies concentration and abnormalities typical for AIT in the thyroid ultrasound were the inclusion criteria. A control group consisted of 36 healthy, age and sex-matched volunteers., Results: The median Se concentration was 56.67 μg/L in the AIT group and 39.75 μg/L in the controls (p>0.05). Decreased Se concentration was observed in 62% of the patients and in 72% of the controls (p=0.47). There was no statistically significant difference in Se status in AIT group when compared to the other Polish, German, Austrian, Dutch and Greek populations with AIT. Significantly higher values were observed in Italian and Greek study when compared to present results in AIT group., Conclusions: No association between selenium status and prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in Polish population living in Poznan district was noticed. Nevertheless determination of the normal serum Se concentration for European populations is necessary. Further studies with enlarged studied groups should be implemented., (© 2018 MEDPRESS.)