Antineutrophil and antinuclear antibodies
in patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease
(July 2003)
The background
of the study. Antibodies that react with white blood
cells (neutrophils) are associated with inflammation of blood vessels
and kidney disease, and antibodies that react with cell nuclei are
associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Both antibodies have
been found in patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease,
the strongest association being between antineutrophil and propylthiouracil
therapy. In this study, serum antineutrophil and antinuclear antibodies
were measured in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism before and
during methimazole therapy.
How the study was done.
The study subjects were 30 patients with hyperthyroidism caused
by Graves' disease. Serum antineutrophil antibodies and antinuclear
antibodies were measured before and periodically during therapy.
The results of the study.
Before therapy, antineutrophil antibodies were detected in the serum
of 50 percent of the patients. There was no correlation between
the levels of these antibodies and antithyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin,
or TSH-receptor antibodies. During methimazole therapy, the antineutrophil
antibodies disappeared in six patients and appeared in one patient.
Before therapy, antinuclear antibodies were detected in the serum
of 73 percent of the patients. There was no change in these antibodies
titers during therapy. No patient had blood-vessel inflammation
at any time.
The conclusions of the study.
Patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism may have antineutrophil antibodies,
which may disappear during antithyroid drug treatment, and antinuclear
antibodies, which do not change during therapy.
The original article.
Guma M, Salinas I, Reverter JL, Roca J, Valls-Roc M, Juan
M, Olive A. Frequency of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in
Graves' disease patients treated with methimazole. J Clin Endocrinol
Metab 2003;88:2141-6.
|
