Prevalence of undifferentiated inflammatory arthropathy in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in an endocrinology clinic

Luis M. Valderrama-Hinds, Eliangel García-Carrión, Evelyn Hernández, María I. Agostini, Omar R. Reyes-Morales, Liliana Fung, Soham Al Snih, Martin A. Rodríguez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: Rheumatic manifestations are common in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Since previous reports on the prevalence of arthritis in this disease may have a rheumatology referral bias, we sought to establish the prevalence of undifferentiated inflammatory arthropathy (UIA) in unselected HT patients as seen in an endocrinology clinic. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 92 consecutive HT patients and no definite rheumatic disease from the Endocrinology Division, Hospital Universitario de Caracas diagnosed by the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (n = 68) or typical ultrasonographic findings (n = 24). Undifferentiated inflammatory arthropathy was defined as combination of morning stiffness and joint pain with ≥2 characteristics of inflammatory joint pain. The study was revised and approved by the Ethics Committee of our hospital and all patients signed an informed consent form. Results: Twenty-three patients (25%; 95% CI 16-34) met the criteria for UIA. Joints most commonly affected were the knees, hands and ankles and the most common pattern was oligoarticular (82.6%). In the multivariate analysis, variables associated to the presence of UIA were the presence of myalgia (odds ratio [OR] = 19.41; 95% CI = 2.38-158.38) and Raynaud's phenomenon (OR = 4.32; 95% CI = 1.01-18.60). No association was found with demographics, duration of disease, comorbidities or thyroid function status. Conclusions: Almost 1 in 4 patients with HT had no definite rheumatic disease present with UIA. An early identification of concurrent arthritis in HT patients is necessary for thorough differential diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation to halt potential joint damage and disability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1985-1989
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019

Keywords

  • Hashimoto's disease
  • arthritis
  • autoimmune thyroiditis
  • prevalence
  • undifferentiated inflammatory arthropathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prevalence of undifferentiated inflammatory arthropathy in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in an endocrinology clinic'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this