Increased Risk of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Main Authors: Qian Li, Bin Wang, Kaida Mu, Jing Zhang, Yanping Yang, Wei Yao, Jie Zhu, Jin-an Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-01-01
• Series: Frontiers in Endocrinology
• Subjects: rheumatoid arthritis; thyroid dysfunction; meta-analysis; case-control study; hypothyroidism; hyperthyroidism
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fendo.2018.00799/full

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.