AUTOIMMUNE (HASHIMOTOS) THYROIDITIS ASSOCIATED WITH CROHNS-DISEASE

We report the occurrence of autoimmune (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis in th ree patients with Crohn's disease. Previously, thyroid disease has bee n described only in association with ulcerative colitis. We review the pertinent literature on thyroid disease in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and suggest that this association supports the hypothesis that autoimmunity is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. Early diagnosis a nd treatment of thyroid dysfunction in patients with IBD is desirable because thyroid dysfunction worsens the symptoms and course of IBD.