Hyperthyroidism association with SLE, lessons from real-life data--A case-control study

Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Saudi Arabia

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that may be associated with other autoimmune disorders. To date, limited data are available on thyroid dysfunction and SLE in Saudi Arabia. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the cases of 151 patients with SLE. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 17.2%: 4% in the hyperthyroid group and 11.9% in the hypothyroid group. Euthyroid sick syndrome was found in 1.3% of patients. Moreover, 57% of patients with hypothyroidism were positive for antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase. No correlation was found between the presence of thyroid dysfunction and higher SLE disease activity, according to the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus National Assessment–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) score.

Dysthyroidism in dermato/polymyositis patients: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are two rare autoimmune disorders occasionally described with dysthyroidism; however, no solid evidence still proves such an association.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of dysthyroidism among DM/PM patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A nation-wide case-control study was conducted.

METHODS

From the Clalit Health Services health records database, we extracted 2085 (DM = 1475 (70.7%), PM = 610 (29.3%)) PM/DM cases and 10 193 sex-age matched controls in the period 2000-2018. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the link dysthyroidism and PM/DM. Survival analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The rate of hyperthyroidism was significantly (P = .0097) higher in cases (n = 40, 1.9%) with respect to controls (n = 123, 1.2%). Similarly, the rate of hypothyroidism was significantly (P < .0001) associated with cases (n = 234, 11.2%) when compared to controls (n = 853, 8.4%). At the multivariate logistic regression analysis, both DM (OR 1.31 [95%CI 1.07-1.60], P = .0087) and PM (OR 1.54 [95%CI 1.21-1.95], P = .004) were significantly associated with hypothyroidism, whereas DM (OR 1.70 [95%CI 1.10-2.61], P = .0165) but not PM (OR 1.45 [0.83-2.55], P = .1947) was found to be associated with hyperthyroidism. Subjects with PM and positive for anti-Sjögren's syndrome-related antigen A (SSA) auto-antibody displayed a significant risk of developing hyperthyroidism (OR 5.85 [95%CI 1.02-33.74], P = .0480), whereas individuals with DM and positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA) had a higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism (OR 2.65 [95%CI 1.00-7.03], P = .0498).

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians treating PM/DM patients should consider screening for thyroid dysfunction on a regular basis.

Predicting lupus flares: epidemiological and disease related risk factors

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, characterized by a relapsing and remitting pattern of disease activity in majority of the patients. Areas covered: This narrative review provides an overview of flare definition, major flare mimics, and the burden of flares in SLE. The authors highlight epidemiology and disease-related risk factor for flares and discuss strategies to reduce flares in SLE. Articles were selected from Pubmed searches conducted between June 2020 and September 2020. Expert opinion: Prolonged clinical remission is observed in approximately 20% of SLE patients flare over the course of the disease. Studies have shown that low disease activity is a good target in SLE, with similar risk of flares, mortality, and quality of life when compared to patients in remission. Clinical and immunological features have shown inconsistent results to identify patients at risk of flares in different cohorts. Cytokine, in serum and urine, has shown promising results to predict flares. However to be useful in clinical practice, they have to be simple, easy, and cost-effective. Future efforts in this direction will allow a more personalized treatment plan for SLE patients, reducing the burden associated with flares.

The coexistence of gout in ankylosing spondylitis patients: a case control study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and gout are common inflammatory arthropathies. It had been claimed previously that the two conditions rarely coexist. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of gout in a population of AS patients to its prevalence in the general population. To conduct this population-based case-control study, data of adult patients with a physician diagnosis of AS were retrieved from the database of the largest health-care provider organization in Israel, Clalit Health Services. For each patient with AS, five age- and sex-matched subjects without AS were randomly selected from the same database. Different parameters including the existence of gout, hypertension, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and smoking were evaluated in both the AS and the control groups. The study included 3763 patients with AS and 19,214 controls. The proportion of gout in the AS group was higher than in the control group: 73 subjects in the AS group had gout, while only 107 subjects in the non-AS group had gout (1.94% and 0.56%, respectively, OR 3.53, P < 0.001). Logistic regression adjusting for possible confounding variables found that AS was independently associated with gout (OR 1.41, P = 0.037). Our study suggests that gout is not less common in AS patients in comparison with the general population, and that it might even be more common in AS patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid dysfunction: A cross-sectional study and a review of the literature

Thyroid dysfunction appears to show increased prevalence in many autoimmune diseases; however, this comorbidity has not been properly investigated in patients with RA. This issue was addressed in this cross-sectional study. Using the database of the Clalit Health Services (CHS) in Israel, RA patients were paired with age- and sex-matched controls to compare the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Chi-squared and t-tests were used for univariate analysis and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study included 11,782 patients with RA and 57,973 controls. The rate of thyroid dysfunction diseases in RA patients was increased compared with the prevalence in controls (16.0% and 11.7%, p < 0.001, for hypothyroidism; and 2.33% and 1.81%, p < 0.001 in hyperthyroidism, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, RA was associated with hypothyroidism (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.34-1.50) and hyperthyroidism (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.45). RA is associated with thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, physicians treating patients with RA should be aware of the possibility of comorbid thyroid dysfunction and treat accordingly.

Association between systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroid dysfunction: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of which remains elusive. The deficiency or excess of thyroid hormone is defined as thyroid dysfunction, including (subclinical) hypothyroidism and (subclinical) hyperthyroidism. Autoimmune factors are likely to be relevant to the development of SLE and thyroid dysfunction. Recently, many studies have indicated that the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in SLE patients than in the general population. The objective of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to find out the relationship between SLE and thyroid dysfunction.

METHODS

Literature databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Cochrane, CNKI, CHINESE WANFANG, China Science and Technology Database (VIP). Studies comparing presence of thyroid dysfunction in SLE patients to healthy controls were extracted. All the statistical analyses were performed with STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Ten studies with 10,500 SLE patients and 44,170 healthy controls were included in this study. The meta-analysis results showed that the prevalence of (subclinical) hypothyroidism in SLE patients was higher than in the healthy controls (hypothyroidism: OR = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.81-4.75; subclinical hypothyroidism: OR = 5.67, 95% CI = 3.50-9.18). No statistical difference of (subclinical) hyperthyroidism was found between SLE patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that SLE is significantly associated with increased risk of (subclinical) hypothyroidism, but it has little influence on (subclinical) hyperthyroidism.

Autoimmunity in 2016

The number of peer-reviewed articles published during the 2016 solar year and retrieved using the "autoimmunity" key word remained stable while gaining a minimal edge among the immunology articles. Nonetheless, the quality of the publications has been rising significantly and, importantly, acquisitions have become available through scientific journals dedicated to immunology or autoimmunity. Major discoveries have been made in the fields of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmunity of the central nervous system, vasculitis, and seronegative spondyloarthrithritides. Selected examples include the role of IL17-related genes and long noncoding RNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus or the effects of anti-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in the treatment of this paradigmatic autoimmune condition. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there have been reports of the role of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) or fibrocytes and T cell interactions with exciting implications. The large number of studies dealing with neuroimmunology pointed to Th17 cells, CD56(bright) NK cells, and low-level TLR2 ligands as involved in multiple sclerosis, along with a high salt intake or the micriobiome-derived Lipid 654. Lastly, we focused on the rare vasculitides to which numerous studies were devoted and suggested that unsuspected cell populations, including monocytes, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and innate lymphoid cells, may be crucial to ANCA-associated manifestations. This brief and arbitrary discussion of the findings published in 2016 is representative of a promising background for developments that will enormously impact the work of laboratory scientists and physicians at an exponential rate.

The effects of hyperprolactinemia and its control on metabolic diseases

INTRODUCTION

Hyperprolactinaemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and glucose intolerance and is reportedly associated with impaired metabolic profile and metabolic syndrome in approximately one third of patients.

AREAS COVERED

Suppression of dopaminergic tone has been proposed as a potential mechanism responsible for weight gain and metabolic abnormalities in such patients. Dopamine receptor type 2 (D₂R) is abundantly expressed on human pancreatic β-cell and adipocytes, suggesting a regulatory role for peripheral dopamine in insulin and adipose functions. Medical treatment with the dopamine-agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline has been shown to significantly improve gluco-insulinemic and lipid profile, also reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. In patients with concomitant hypogonadism, simultaneous correction of both PRL excess and testosterone deficiency is mandatory to improve insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

Hyperprolactinemia promotes metabolic alterations. Control of PRL excess by dopamine agonists is mandatory to induce weight loss and to improve metabolic profile, and replacement treatment for concomitant hypogonadism effectively ameliorates insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Chronic hepatitis C viral infection among SLE patients: the significance of coexistence

The association between viral infection and autoimmune diseases is an established phenomenon in medicine. Hepatitis C viral infection is known to have such an association; however, its association with systemic lupus erythematosus has not been studied in a real life study driven from a large national database. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between SLE and chronic hepatitis C viral infection. Patients with SLE were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the proportion chronic HCV infection. Chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services in Israel. There was a significant higher proportion of hepatitis C viral infection in SLE patients as compared to controls (1.06 and 0.39%, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant association was also observed among patients of higher socioeconomic status. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, SLE was significantly associated with hepatitis C viral infection (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.46-2.90). To conclude, Patients with SLE have a greater proportion of chronic HCV infection than matched controls.

Correlation between systemic lupus erythematosus and malignancies: a cross-sectional population-based study

Autoimmune conditions reflect dysregulation of the immune system; this may be of clinical significance in the development of several malignancies. Previous studies show an association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the development of malignancies; however, their investigations into the development of specific malignancies are inconsistent, and their external validity may be questionable. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between the presence of SLE and various malignancies, in a large-scale population-based study. Data for this study was collected from Clalit Health Services, the largest state-mandated health service organization in Israel. All adult members diagnosed with SLE were included (n = 5018) and their age and sex-matched controls (n = 25,090), creating a cross-sectional population-based study. Medical records of all subjects were analyzed for documentation of malignancies. Logistic regression models were built separately for each malignant condition, controlling for age, gender, BMI, smoking, and socioeconomic status. Diagnosis of malignancy (of any type) was more prevalent in the SLE population (odds ratio [OR] 3.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.02-3.72). SLE diagnosis was also found to be independently associated with higher proportions of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR 3.02, 95% CI 2.72-3.33), Hodgkin lymphoma (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.88-2.99), multiple myeloma (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.85-3.28), cervix uteri malignancies (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.20), and genital organ malignancies (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.42-3.22), after adjustment for confounding variables. The presence of an SLE diagnosis was found to be independently associated with higher proportions of malignancies, particularly hematologic malignancies. These findings should be considered while treating SLE patients, and possibly supplement their screening routine.

Association between ischemic heart disease and systemic lupus erythematosus-a large case-control study

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a well identified cause of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients due to an accelerated premature atherosclerosis. We investigated the proportion of comorbid IHD among SLE patients derived from a large, national real-life database. Using data from the largest HMO in Israel, the Clalit Health Services, we selected for patients with SLE. These patients were compared with age and sex matched controls with regards to the proportion of IHD in a case-control study. Chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study included 5018 patients with SLE and 25090 age and sex-frequency matched controls. The prevalence of IHD in patients with SLE was increased in comparison to controls (11.3 and 3.1%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, SLE was associated with IHD (OR 3.77, 95% confidence interval 3.34-4.26). We have confirmed that SLE patients suffer a high prevalence of IHD. Our data supports that SLE is an independent risk factor for IHD. When evaluating by gender, the risk seems even more substantial in females. No significant difference was found in the risk of IHD in SLE among the difference socioeconomic strata.

Schizophrenia among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: population-based cross-sectional study

AIMS

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease involving multiple organs, including the central nervous system. Evidence of immune dysfunction exists also in schizophrenia, a psychiatric illness involving chronic or recurrent psychosis. The aim of our study was to investigate if there is an epidemiological association between SLE and schizophrenia.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted comparing patients with SLE with age and gender-matched controls regarding the proportion of patients with comorbid schizophrenia. χ 2- and t-tests were used for univariate analysis, and interaction of schizophrenia with SLE across strata of covariates was checked. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilising the medical database of Clalit Health Services in Israel.

RESULTS

The study included 5018 patients with SLE and 25 090 controls. SLE patients had a female predominance, and a higher proportion of smoking compared with age and sex-matched controls. In multivariate analysis, SLE was found to be independently associated with schizophrenia while controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES) and smoking (OR 1.33, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a positive association between SLE and schizophrenia across patients of different age, gender and SES. This association can contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of the two disorders and may also have clinical implications for earlier as well as better diagnosis and treatment.

Increased risk of thyroid diseases in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nationwide population-based Study in Korea

We investigated the association between autoimmune thyroid disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using nationwide insurance claims data for the entire Korean population. Claims data for the period 2009-2013 were retrieved from the National Health Insurance System database. SLE and thyroid disease were identified using the International Classification of Diseases codes and medication information. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between SLE and thyroid disease. The study used records from 17,495 patients with SLE and 52,485 age- and sex-matched control subjects. A greater prevalence of Graves' disease (0.94% vs. 0.46%, P < 0.001), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (2.68% vs. 0.80%, P < 0.001), and thyroid cancer (1.81% vs. 1.30%, P < 0.001) was observed in SLE patients than in control subjects. Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that SLE was significantly associated with an increased risk of both autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid cancer (Graves' disease: odds ratio [OR] 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70-2.53; Hashimoto's thyroiditis: OR 3.42, 95% CI 3.00-3.91; thyroid cancer: OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.22-1.60). Age- and sex- stratified analyses revealed that the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease in SLE patients was increased for all age groups and the female group. An association between thyroid cancer and SLE was identified only in the 20- to 59-year-old age group and in the female group. Using a large population-based study, we demonstrated that patients with SLE are at a greater risk of developing thyroid disease than matched control individuals.

Coexistent malignant conditions in rheumatoid arthritis - A population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate if association exist between rheumatoid arthritis and malignant diseases.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted comparing rheumatoid arthritis patients with age and gender matched controls regarding the proportion of patients with comorbid malignant conditions. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used for univariate analysis. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilising the medical database of Clalit Health Services.

RESULTS

The study group included 11 782 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 57 973 controls. The total proportion of malignancies was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (21.4% vs 11.2%; P<.001). The disease for which there was the strongest association among patients with rheumatoid arthritis was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1.1% vs 0.6%; P<.01). After multivariate analysis, lung cancer was not found to be significantly associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

CONCLUSION

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with several malignant disorders, in particular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Appropriate measures for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma screening in this patient population should be considered.

Comorbidity of gout and rheumatoid arthritis in a large population database

Coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis and gout is considered to be unusual. The current study was designed as a population-based cross-sectional study, utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services, the largest healthcare provider organization in Israel. Data of adult patients who were previously diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was retrieved. For each patient, five age- and sex-matched control patients were randomly selected. Different parameters including BMI, socioeconomic status, and existence of gout as well as smoking and hypertension were examined for both groups. The study included 11,540 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 56,763 controls. The proportion of gout in the study group was high compared to controls (1.61 vs. 0.92%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, rheumatoid arthritis was associated with gout (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.45-2.05, P = 0.00). The proportion of gout in rheumatoid arthritis patients is not lower than in the general population.

Aortic aneurysm associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based cross-sectional study

There is substantial evidence that aortic aneurysm (AA) may be a manifestation of several systemic rheumatic disorders. However, only several studies have assessed the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and AA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of AA in RA patients in a case-control study. A retrospective case-control study was performed utilizing the database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), a large healthcare provider organization in Israel. Data available from the CHS database included age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and diagnoses of chronic diseases, including AA. Patients over the age of 20 years who were diagnosed with RA ("cases") were compared with a sample of age- and gender-matched enrollees without RA ("controls") regarding the prevalence of AA. Chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study included 11,782 RA patients and 57,973 age- and gender-matched controls. The proportion of AA was significantly higher in RA patients (0.72 %) compared to the control group 0.49 % (odds ratio (OR) 1.48, 95 %; confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.88; p = 0.002). A multivariate analysis that evaluated covariates associated with AA revealed an independent association of AA and RA after adjustment for different factors including age, gender, SES, and smoking status (OR 1.406, 95 %; CI 1.094-1.789; p = 0.006). Our study has demonstrated that AA is more prevalent in patients with RA in comparison with general population. Future large randomized studies are important to identify cardiovascular- and disease-related risk factors for AA formation in RA patients.

Does inflammatory bowel disease coexist with systemic lupus erythematosus?

BACKGROUND

The data regarding the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is mostly composed of case reports and case series indicating an infrequent association.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between IBD and SLE.

METHODS

Patients with SLE were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in a case-control study. Chi-square and t-tests were used for univariate analysis and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services.

RESULTS

The study included 5018 patients with SLE and 25,090 age- and sex-matched controls. The prevalence of UC was significantly higher in patients with SLE than in controls in a univariate analysis (0.4% and 0.2%, respectively; p<0.017). However, in a multivariate logistic regression model SLE was not associated with UC (OR 1.67, 95% CI 0.99-2.815, p<0.052). The prevalence of CD was higher in patients with SLE than in controls in a univariate analysis (0.7% and 0.3%, respectively; p<0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model confirmed this finding and corroborated that SLE was associated with comorbid CD (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.46-3.4, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SLE have a greater prevalence of CD than matched controls. The distinction of IBD from SLE gastrointestinal involvement can be challenging as clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and radiographic findings may appear similar between the two diseases. Therefore, physicians treating patients with rather IBD or SLE should consider this potential association.