Thyroid disorders during interferon alpha therapy in 625 patients with chronic hepatitis C: a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

AIM:

to report the prevalence, risk factors, management and long-term outcome of thyroid disorders caused by INFalpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

From January 1991 to December 2004, 625 patients with chronic hepatitis C underwent INFalpha therapy. TSH assay was normal and antithyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) was performed before onset antiviral treatment; then TSH was performed every 2 months in all patients during therapy, and every 3 months after treatment.

RESULTS:

58 patients developed thyroid disorder (8.9%). Mean age was 50.6+/-13 years; sex ratio: 1 M/2 F; the anti-TPO antibodies were positive before onset antiviral treatment in 9 patients (13.8%). 26 patients developed hypothyroidism (44.8%), 9 patients developed hyperthyroidism (15.5%) and among them 3 cases of Grave's disease. Biphasic thyroiditis occurred in 21 patients (36.2%), anti-TPO increase during treatment in 2 patients (3.5%) without hypothyroidism. The dysthyroidism was more frequent in risk in female gender (p<0.05) and in the group with positive antiTPO antibodies before treatment (p<0.02).

CONCLUSION:

Female gender and positive antiTPO antibodies are the predictive factors of development of the thyroid dysfunction during INFalpha therapy.

• Authors: N Kabbaj, M M Guedira, H El Atmani, M El Alaoui, M Mohammadi, K Benabed, H Lachkar, A Benaïssa
• Journal: Annales d'endocrinologie (Ann Endocrinol (Paris)) Vol. 67 Issue 4 Pg. 343-7 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 0003-4266 [Print] France
• PMID: 17072240 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Autoantibodies
• Interferon-alpha
• Thyrotropin

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Autoantibodies (blood)
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Genotype
• Hepacivirus (genetics)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroid Diseases (chemically induced)
• Thyroid Gland (immunology)
• Thyrotropin (blood)
• Viral Load