Prakash Joshi1, Abhishek Agarwal2, Sony Vyas3, Ravindra Kumar4. 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. 2. Junior Resident, Department of Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India docaagarwal@gmail.com. 3. Junior Resident, Department of Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. 4. Scientist Central Research Laboratory, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence of hypothyroidism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to elucidate its correlation with disease activity. METHODS: A total of 52 RA patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed fully clinically and underwent routine laboratory investigation including thyroid function testing. RESULTS: Hypothyroidism (defined as having a TSH level >4.20 μIU/mL) was observed in 20/52 (38.4%). Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were found significantly elevated in patients with hypothyroidism compared to those without (36.3 ± 24.2 vs. 24.6 ± 9.0 mm/h). Disease activity parameters such as DAS-28-ESR, tender joint count; VAS scores were also significantly higher in the former. A significant correlation with serum TSH levels was observed with ESR and DAS-28-ESR. CONCLUSION: Thyroid function test should be included in clinical evaluation of RA patients.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence of hypothyroidism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to elucidate its correlation with disease activity. METHODS: A total of 52 RApatients were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed fully clinically and underwent routine laboratory investigation including thyroid function testing. RESULTS:Hypothyroidism (defined as having a TSH level >4.20 μIU/mL) was observed in 20/52 (38.4%). Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were found significantly elevated in patients with hypothyroidism compared to those without (36.3 ± 24.2 vs. 24.6 ± 9.0 mm/h). Disease activity parameters such as DAS-28-ESR, tender joint count; VAS scores were also significantly higher in the former. A significant correlation with serum TSH levels was observed with ESR and DAS-28-ESR. CONCLUSION: Thyroid function test should be included in clinical evaluation of RApatients.