Thyroid involvement in patients with overt HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC), a systemic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in >90% of cases, is frequently complicated by multiple organ involvement. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in MC has not yet been studied.

AIM:

To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of thyroid involvement in patients with HCV-associated MC (HCV + MC).

DESIGN:

Case-control study.

METHODS:

HCV + MC patients (n = 93, 17 men and 76 women, mean +/- SD age 63 +/- 10 years, mean disease duration 14 +/- 7 years) consecutively referred to the Rheumatology Unit were matched by sex and age (+/- 2 years) to (i) 93 patients with chronic C hepatitis (CH) without MC and (ii) 93 healthy (HCV-negative) controls from the local population. Measurements included prevalence of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.

RESULTS:

By McNemar's chi(2) test, the following thyroid abnormalities were significantly more frequent in HCV + MC patients than in HCV-negative controls: serum anti-thyroperoxidase autoantibody (AbTPO) (28% vs. 9%, p = 0.001); serum AbTPO and/or anti-thyroglobulin autoantibody (31% vs. 12%, p = 0.004); subclinical hypothyroidism (11% vs. 2%, p = 0.038); thyroid autoimmunity (35% vs. 16%, p = 0.006). Serum AbTPO were also significantly more frequent in HCV + MC patients than in CH controls (28% vs. 14%, p = 0.035).

DISCUSSION:

The prevalence of thyroid disorders is increased in patients with HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia. We suggest careful monitoring of thyroid function in these patients.

• Authors: A Antonelli, C Ferri, P Fallahi, D Giuggioli, C Nesti, G Longombardo, P Fadda, A Pampana, M Maccheroni, E Ferrannini
• Journal: QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians (QJM) Vol. 97 Issue 8 Pg. 499-506 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1460-2725 [Print] England
• PMID: 15256607 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Biopsy, Fine-Needle (methods)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cryoglobulinemia (blood, virology)
• Female
• Hepatitis C (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neck (diagnostic imaging)
• Prevalence
• Thyroid Diseases (diagnostic imaging, virology)
• Ultrasonography