THYROID-FUNCTION AND AUTOIMMUNITY IN 215 HEPATITIS-C VIRUS (HCV) SEROPOSITIVE PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to estimate thyroid function and the prevale nce of thyroid antibodies among HCV seropositive patients. We undertoo k a screening for thyroid dysfunction, and antithyroperoxidase (ATPO) and antithyroglobulin (ATG) antibodies, in 215 HCV seropositive patien ts referred for hepatologic consultation, 118 males and 97 females, me an age 44 +/- 14 years, range 16-80 years. No patient was treated with interferon and all were seronegative for HIV. Eighteen patients (8 %) had antithyroid antibodies, 12 with ATPO antibodies (5,6 %) and 10 wi th ATG antibodies (4,7 %), Four patients had both ATPO and ATG antibod ies (1,8 %), one case of Graves' disease and 3 cases of autoimmune hyp othyroidism found during this study. Five patients (2,3 %) had hyperth yroidism, three cases of Graves' disease, one case of iodine load and a case of Grave's disease incidentally diagnosed during medical examin ation. Eleven patients (5,1 %) had hypothyroidism, one case already kn own and treated without antithyroid antibodies, 4 cases of autoimmune etiology (3 diagnosed in consultation and one already known and compen sated hypothyroidism), one case of amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism d iscovered during this study, 5 cases of hypothyroidism without antibod ies (two cases of compensated hypothyroidism with normal TRH stimulati ng test, two cases with severe liver cirrhosis and one case with chron ic hepatitis). Twelve patients had antithyroid antibodies with normal TSH levels. The prevalence of ATPO and ATG antibodies in our study is similar to the prevalence usually observed in general population and d oes not suggest a pathogenic role of HCV in autoimmune thyroid disorde rs.