OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for the development of thyroid diseases during interferon-alpha therapy, we analyzed the patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon-alpha. METHODS: One hundred nine patients with chronic hepatitis C (77 men and 32 women, ages 20-72 yr) were treated with interferon-alpha (alpha, 48; alpha 2a, 38; alpha 2b, 23) for 14-40 wk. Thyroid function tests and seven autoantibodies were assessed at the beginning and end of interferon-alpha therapy, and every other month. A logistic multiple regression model was used in the statistical analysis of risk factors for development of thyroid diseases. RESULTS: Among the 106 patients with normal pretreatment thyroid function tests, nine patients (three men and six women, ages 33-62 yr) developed thyroid diseases. However, among three patients with abnormal thyroid function tests, exacerbation of thyroid disease was not observed during interferon-alpha therapy. Logistic multiple regression model revealed that positivity for microsome antibody was a significant risk factor for the development of thyroid disease (p < 0.0001, chi 2 = 20.18). Actually, compared to patients without microsome antibody at the beginning of therapy, the incidence of thyroid diseases in the patients with pretreatment microsome antibody was very high: 3.3% (3/99) versus 60% (6/10), respectively. Six patients developed hyperthyroidism and three patients developed hypothyroidism. The patients with hyperthyroidism had atypical clinical features. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that positivity for microsome antibody at the beginning of interferon-alpha therapy is a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for the development of thyroid diseases during interferon-alpha therapy, we analyzed the patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon-alpha. METHODS: One hundred nine patients with chronic hepatitis C (77 men and 32 women, ages 20-72 yr) were treated with interferon-alpha (alpha, 48; alpha 2a, 38; alpha 2b, 23) for 14-40 wk. Thyroid function tests and seven autoantibodies were assessed at the beginning and end of interferon-alpha therapy, and every other month. A logistic multiple regression model was used in the statistical analysis of risk factors for development of thyroid diseases. RESULTS: Among the 106 patients with normal pretreatment thyroid function tests, nine patients (three men and six women, ages 33-62 yr) developed thyroid diseases. However, among three patients with abnormal thyroid function tests, exacerbation of thyroid disease was not observed during interferon-alpha therapy. Logistic multiple regression model revealed that positivity for microsome antibody was a significant risk factor for the development of thyroid disease (p < 0.0001, chi 2 = 20.18). Actually, compared to patients without microsome antibody at the beginning of therapy, the incidence of thyroid diseases in the patients with pretreatment microsome antibody was very high: 3.3% (3/99) versus 60% (6/10), respectively. Six patients developed hyperthyroidism and three patients developed hypothyroidism. The patients with hyperthyroidism had atypical clinical features. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that positivity for microsome antibody at the beginning of interferon-alpha therapy is a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction.
Authors: N Custro; G Montalto; V Scafidi; M Soresi; S Gallo; S Tripi; A Notarbartolo Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 1997 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: M Rotondi; A Oliviero; P Profice; C M Mone; B Biondi; A Del Buono; G Mazziotti; A M Sinisi; A Bellastella; C Carella Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 1998-12 Impact factor: 4.256