Publication:

Association of thyroid autoimmunity with psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, multifactorial inflammatory disorder of the skin. Psoriasis has been found to be associated with different autoimmune disorders; autoimmune thyroid disorder is one of them.  Several studies have suggested an association of thyroid autoimmunity with psoriasis.

Methods A total of 63 patients with psoriasis and equal number of age and sex matched apparently healthy subjects were included. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was calculated. Free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), antithyroglobulin (AbTG), antithyroidperoxidase antibody (AbTPO) and TSH receptor Ab levels were measured in all of the subjects.

Results The mean age of psoriasis patients was 35.8±16.7 years compared to 35.4±16.9 years in the control group and was found non-significant (p=0.899). Psoriasis group consisted of 63.5% males and 36.5% females, while the control group had 66.7% males and 33.3% females (p=0.709). Majority of psoriasis patients and control subjects were euthyroid (87.3% and 96.8% respectively). Anti TPO antibodies were elevated in 34.9% psoriasis patients compared to 4.8% in control group which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Anti TG Antibodies were elevated in 46.0% psoriasis patients compared to 7.9% in control group and was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusions This study showed significantly higher frequency of elevated anti TPO antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies in psoriasis patients compared to control group. So, there is association between thyroid autoimmunity and psoriasis. However, further large-scale studies are required to expand our knowledge about thyroid autoimmunity and its association with psoriasis.