Prevalence of thyroid disorders and metabolic syndrome in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background: The clinical association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hypothyroidism is important as both these conditions are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) which in turn makes the patients more prone for cardiovascular disease. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of thyroid disorders and MetS were studied in 54 consecutive adult patients with RA (mean age 46.0±10.4 years; 48 females) and 54 age-and gender-matched healthy control subjects. Results: The prevalence of thyroid disorders was higher in patients with RA than in control subjects; however, this difference was not statistically significant [19/54 (35.2%) Vs 12/54 (22.2%); p=0.201]. Nine patients with RA already known to have hypothyroidism were receiving levothyroxine treatment. Among the remaining RA patients (n=45), a significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (10/45 Vs 4/54;  2 =4.437, p=0.045) and subclinical hypothyroidism with anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody positivity (4/45 Vs 0/54;  2 =5.002, p=0.040) were observed compared with healthy control subjects. The prevalence of MetS was higher in patients with RA than in control subjects; however, this difference was not statistically significant [31/54 (57.4%) Vs 25/54 (46.3%); p=0.336]. Conclusions: A significantly higher prevalence of AITD and subclinical hypothyroidism with anti-TPO antibody positivity in patients with RA suggests that these patients would benefit from screening for AITD. The coexistence of hypothyroidism and RA reiterates the need for monitoring and early identification of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with RA.

Interrelationship of Metabolic Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis in North Indian Population

“…However, the reported prevalence from south Indian population of RA was 57.4%, higher than recorded in our cases. [13][14][15] Our study also confirms the finding that Indian population is more prone for metabolic syndrome as worldwide prevalence of MetS is significantly lowers approximately 30.65% only. [12] When we assessed the prevalence of individual components of MetS (WC, HDL, BP, Triglyceride and FBS) in RA cases, high blood pressure (more than 130/85) had the highest prevalence (Table 2).…”

“…Higher prevalence of MetS in RA cases was noted in south Indian population as compared to north and northeast India. [13][14][15] But to the best of my knowledge there are very limited studies considering the relationship of disease activity, severity, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines with disease biomarkers and disease duration aspects of RA with MetS in Indian Population.…”