Dorota Kozielewicz1, Agnieszka Zaleśna, Dorota Dybowska. 1. Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology , ul. Św. Floriana 12, 85 030 Bydgoszcz , Poland +48 52 325 56 05 ; +48 52 345 71 95 ; d.kozielewicz@wsoz.pl.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus infection is treated with pegylated (Peg) IFNα and nucleos(t)ide analogues. The disadvantages of PegIFNα include thyroid disorders. In this single-center study, the type, incidence and consequences of thyroid dysfunction in patients receiving PegIFNα due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The analysis included 106 patients (80 males) with CHB, aged 20 - 58 years, treated with PegIFNα-2a at a dose of 180 μg/week subcutaneously for 48 weeks. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibodies (TAbs) that is anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured in all patients at baseline. Furthermore, TSH was measured every 3 months during treatment and for 12 months after completion of treatment. If the TSH level was abnormal, free thyroxine 4 levels and TAbs were measured. RESULTS: All patients started the therapy with normal TSH and TAb levels. In 99 patients, TSH levels remained normal throughout the therapy. Thyroid disorder occurred in seven patients (6.6%), six of whom developed hypothyroidism and one who developed hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed in six women and one man. TAbs (only TPOAbs) were found in two patients (1.88%). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid disorder is a rare, though possible not transient, complication of IFN therapy in CHB patients.
INTRODUCTION:Hepatitis B virus infection is treated with pegylated (Peg) IFNα and nucleos(t)ide analogues. The disadvantages of PegIFNα include thyroid disorders. In this single-center study, the type, incidence and consequences of thyroid dysfunction in patients receiving PegIFNα due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The analysis included 106 patients (80 males) with CHB, aged 20 - 58 years, treated with PegIFNα-2a at a dose of 180 μg/week subcutaneously for 48 weeks. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibodies (TAbs) that is anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured in all patients at baseline. Furthermore, TSH was measured every 3 months during treatment and for 12 months after completion of treatment. If the TSH level was abnormal, free thyroxine 4 levels and TAbs were measured. RESULTS: All patients started the therapy with normal TSH and TAb levels. In 99 patients, TSH levels remained normal throughout the therapy. Thyroid disorder occurred in seven patients (6.6%), six of whom developed hypothyroidism and one who developed hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed in six women and one man. TAbs (only TPOAbs) were found in two patients (1.88%). CONCLUSIONS:Thyroid disorder is a rare, though possible not transient, complication of IFN therapy in CHB patients.