Authors: Clement E Tagoe Anna Zezon Saakshi Khattri Patricia Castellanos
Publish Date: 2013/01/05
Volume: 33, Issue: 7, Pages: 1745-1752
Abstract
The aim of this study is to define the rheumatic manifestations of euthyroid patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis CLT but without a welldefined connective tissue disease Fortysix consecutive patients with antithyroid peroxidase αTPO and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies αTG and normal thyroid function in the absence of a welldefined connective tissue disease were included in a case–cohort study Arthralgias were a presenting complaint in 98 of patients Fibromyalgia syndrome was found in 59 of patients Raynaud’s phenomenon occurred in 28 and sicca symptoms in 26 of patients Two patients had seronegative arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis Arthritis was radiographically present in 88 affecting the spine in 45 of patients Thyroidstimulating hormone TSH levels positively correlated with levels of αTPO but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate ESR or αTG levels A positive ANA was found in 24 of patients One patient developed subclinical hypothyroidism during the study Rheumatic manifestations frequently occur in patients with CLT in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction and mimic the presentation of the welldefined connective tissue diseases
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