Thyroid disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Aim : To examine the prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with Lupus erythematosus in Saudi Arabia.

Racial differences of patients, predictors of thyroid dysfunction and of mortality are assessed. Patients and Methods : 35 patients treated for SLE at the University Hospital in Jeddah were reviewed.

Clinical manifestations, laboratory values as well as TSH and T4 values were extracted and the outcome recorded.

Variables predicting mortality were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results : Thyroid function tests were ordered in the 35 patients.

15 (42 %) of the patients showed elevated TSH with normal T4 value, one (3 %) had manifest hypothyroidism (elevated TSH with low T4), and one (3 %) had manifest hyperthyroidism.

The rate of latent hyperthyroidism was similar in the different ethnic groups.

19 % of the patients with latent hypothyroidism died whereas the mortality in the remaining patients was only 9 %.

In a multivariate analysis male sex, skin involvement, neurological involvement and African descend were significantly associated with higher mortality.

Elevated TSH values were not associated with increased mortality in this model. Conclusion : There is a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, especially of latent hypothyroidism, in SLE patients in Saudi Arabia.

Laboratory screening for the condition is warranted in all SLE patients.