The Prevalence of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness that affects the entire body but its cause is unknown. There has been a considerable debate about the relation between thyroid gland and Rheumatoid arthritis. Aim of the study: To determine the frequency of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and determine whether patients with Rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Patients and methods: This study is a cross-sectional observational study done in the governorate of Najaf from September 2022 to February 2023 involving 140 participants diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, determined by rheumatologist doctors in line with ACR/EULAR 2010 Criteria and serological testing. Patients including 16 males and 124 females, ranging between the ages of 20 and 60. All participants underwent complete clinical and laboratory assessments. The data were collected during the direct patient interview and the information from the questionnaire, verbal approval has been received from the study participant.  Results: The frequency of Hashimoto's disease in the selected patients of rheumatoid arthritis (N=140), was 45 (32.14%), While euthyroidism (Rheumatoid arthritis patients without Hashimoto’s) was 95(67.9%). Hashimoto's disease included subclinical 9 (6.4%) and overt Hashimoto's thyroiditis 36(25.7%). Conclusions: HT is frequent among patients with RA. Therefore, there is a need of screening of thyroid hormone dysfunction as well as presence of Anti-TPO antibodies as markers of HT in RA patients particularly in young patients, females, and those with high disease activity. The association was a significance among RA patients with HT and ACCP, BMI, and ESR.