Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2016; 124(01): 39-44
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565071
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Clinical Value of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies for the Differential Diagnosis of Interferon Induced Thyroiditis

D. Benaiges
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
,
M. Garcia-Retortillo
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
A. Mas
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
,
N. Cañete
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
T. Broquetas
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
M. Puigvehi
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
J. J. Chillarón
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
,
J. A. Flores-Le Roux
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
,
E. Sagarra
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
,
B. Cabrero
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
D. Zaffalon
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
R. Solà
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
,
J. Pedro-Botet
1   Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
,
J. A. Carrión
2   Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
3   IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques)
4   Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 07 May 2015
first decision 18 September 2015

accepted 06 October 2015

Publication Date:
17 November 2015 (online)

Abstract

Objective: The clinical value of thyrotropin receptor antibodies for the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis induced by pegylated interferon-alpha remains unknown. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of thyrotropin receptor antibodies in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 274 patients with CHC receiving pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin. Interferon-induced thyrotoxicosis was classified according to clinical guidelines as Graves disease, autoimmune and non- autoimmune destructive thyroiditis.

Results: 48 (17.5%) patients developed hypothyroidism, 17 (6.2%) thyrotoxicosis (6 non- autoimmune destructive thyroiditis, 8 autoimmune destructive thyroiditis and 3 Graves disease) and 22 “de novo” thyrotropin receptor antibodies (all Graves disease, 2 of the 8 autoimmune destructive thyroiditis and 17 with normal thyroid function). The sensitivity and specificity of thyrotropin receptor antibodies for Graves disease diagnosis in patients with thyrotoxicosis were 100 and 85%, respectively. Patients with destructive thyroiditis developed hypothyroidism in 87.5% of autoimmune cases and in none of those with a non- autoimmune etiology (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Thyrotropin receptor antibodies determination cannot replace thyroid scintigraphy for the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis in CHC patients treated with pegylated interferon.

 
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