Correlation between extraocular muscle enlargement and thyroid autoantibodies in thyroid eye disease.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting extraocular muscle enlargement in thyroid eye disease (TED). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb), thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb), antithyroid peroxidase antibody (ATPO), and antithyroglobulin antibody (ATG) levels in patients diagnosed with TED who underwent orbital magnetic resonance imaging were assessed. The control group comprised the contralateral eye of patients who underwent orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for unilateral eyelid tumors or orbital disease. The thickness of the bilateral rectus muscles and superior oblique muscles was measured on orbital MRI. Muscle enlargement was classified as unilateral/bilateral and symmetric/asymmetric. The effects of age, sex, smoking history, TSH, thyroid hormone, and thyroid autoantibodies on the muscle thickness and number of enlarged muscles were assessed by use of simple and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The TED and control groups comprised 41 and 44 cases, respectively. The positivity rate of TSAb in patients with TED was 92.7% higher than that of the other autoantibodies. Muscle enlargement was observed in 29 of the 41 cases (70.7%). Older age and higher TSAb levels were identified as significant factors affecting the total muscle thickness and number of enlarged muscles. Bilateral muscle enlargement and asymmetrical muscle enlargement were observed in 17 (58.6%) and 23 (79.3%) of the 29 cases, respectively. The TSAb levels and age had no significant effect on the type of muscle enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: TSAb showed significant associations with extraocular muscle enlargement. Measurement of TSAb, rather than of TRAb, may be more useful for diagnosing extraocular muscle enlargement in patients with TED.

Clinical value of functional thyrotropin receptor antibodies in Serbian patients with Graves' orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: Thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies (TSH-R-Ab) are heterogeneous in their biological function and play a significant role in the pathophysiology of both Graves' disease and Graves' orbitopathy (GO). The clinical significance and utility of determining functional TSH-R-Ab in a Serbian collective were evaluated. METHODS: 91 consecutive patients with GO were included in this study. Total TSH-R-Ab concentration, referred to as TSH-R binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) was detected using a competitive-binding immunoassay. Stimulating and blocking TSH-R-Ab (TSAb and TBAb) were measured with cell-based bioassays. RESULTS: Stimulating TSAb activity and TBII positivity were detected in 85 of 91 (93.4%) and 65 of 91 (71.4%) patients with GO (P < 0.001). Blocking TBAb activity was observed in only one patient who expressed dual stimulating and blocking TSH-R-Ab activity. The sensitivity rates for differentiating between clinically active versus inactive and mild versus moderate-to-severe GO were 100% and 100% for TSAb, respectively. In contrast, these were 82% and 87% only for TBII. Seven of eight (87.5%) and one of eight (12.5%) euthyroid patients with GO were TSAb and TBII positive, respectively (P < 0.031). TSAb serum levels significantly predicted GO activity compared to TBII (odds ratio, OR, 95%CI: 3.908, 95%CI 1.615-9.457, P = 0.003; versus 2.133, 0.904-5.032, P = 0.084, univariate analysis; and OR 4.341, 95%CI 1.609-11.707, P = 0.004; versus 2.337, 0.889-6.145, P = 0.085 multivariate analysis). CONCLUSION: Stimulating TSAb are highly prevalent in patients with GO and show superior clinical characteristics and predictive potential compared to the traditionally used TBII.

A rapid homogenous bioassay for detection of thyroid-stimulating antibodies based on a luminescent cyclic AMP biosensor.

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies to the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). The FDA-cleared Thyretain™ TSI bioassay is a highly specific method to detect thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb/TSI) in the blood of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), particularly GD. To simplify the workflow of this bioassay and to support a semi-quantitative result, we have generated a stable CHO-K1 cell line expressing both a chimeric TSH receptor (TSHR-Mc4) and a luciferase-based homogeneous cAMP biosensor (GS luciferase). Here, we describe a rapid, real-time, homogenous bioassay (Turbo™ TSI Bioassay) to directly assess the functional activity of TSI and produce results in International Units of IU/L. The Turbo™ TSI bioassay works by measuring changes in the intracellular cAMP level induced by a G-protein coupled receptor (G-PCR) signaling cascade which is triggered by the binding of TSI to the TSHR. Upon binding to cAMP, the GS luciferase reporter is activated through conformational changes and generates light that can be measured in intact cells with a luminometer. The LoD and LoQ of the assay were determined to be 0.016 IU/L and 0.03 IU/L, respectively and the preliminary assay cutoff was determined to be 0.024 IU/L by ROC analysis using the Thyretain™ TSI bioassay results as reference. The analytical performance of the Turbo™ TSI bioassay is comparable to the Thyretain™ TSI bioassay as evidenced by similar EC50 values for a TSHR stimulating monoclonal antibody (M22). The specificity of the Turbo™ TSI bioassay was demonstrated by showing no response to a high concentration of a human monoclonal TSHR blocking antibody (K1-70). The precision of the assay was excellent with an overall within-laboratory precision <15% CV. When testing 198 clinical samples, the positive and negative percent agreement between the Turbo™ TSI and the Thyretain™ TSI bioassays were 98.7% and 93.5%, respectively. While both bioassays yield equivalent analytical and clinical performances, the Turbo™ TSI bioassay is much simpler to perform. It does not require cell culture, sample dilution, washing or cell lysis steps, resulting in a dramatically reduced turnaround time from about 21 h to 60 min. In addition, the same cell line showed its capability of detecting thyroid blocking antibodies (TBAb/TBI) in a competitive format. The Turbo™ TSI bioassay is user-friendly and is a very promising advancement to aid the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD).

Serum diiodotyrosine - a biomarker to differentiate destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional diagnostic methods are limited in their ability to differentiate destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease. We hypothesised that serum diiodotyrosine (DIT) and monoiodotyrosine (MIT) levels could be biomarkers for differentiating destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease. DESIGN: Patients with destructive thyroiditis (n = 13) and Graves' disease (n = 22) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. METHODS: We assayed the serum DIT and MIT levels using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the serum DIT and MIT levels as biomarkers for differentiating destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease. RESULTS: The serum DIT and MIT levels were significantly higher in patients with destructive thyroiditis than in those with Graves' disease. The ROC curve analysis showed that the serum DIT levels (≥359.9 pg/mL) differentiated destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease, significantly, with 100.0% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity (P < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of the serum MIT levels (≥119.4 pg/mL) was not as high as that of the serum DIT levels (sensitivity, 84.6%; specificity, 77.3%; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum DIT levels may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for differentiating destructive thyroiditis from Graves' disease.

Adjuvant Rituximab-Exploratory Trial in Young People With Graves Disease.

CONTEXT: Remission rates in young people with Graves hyperthyroidism are less than 25% after 2 years of thionamide antithyroid drug (ATD). OBJECTIVE: We explored whether rituximab (RTX), a B-lymphocyte-depleting agent, would increase remission rates when administered with a short course of ATD. METHODS: This was an open-label, multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 trial in young people (ages, 12-20 years) with Graves hyperthyroidism. An A'Hern design was used to distinguish an encouraging remission rate (40%) from an unacceptable rate (20%). Participants presenting with Graves hyperthyroidism received 500 mg RTX and 12 months of ATD titrated according to thyroid function. ATDs were stopped after 12 months and primary outcome assessed at 24 months. Participants had relapsed at 24 months if thyrotropin was suppressed and free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine was raised; they had received ATD between months 12 and 24; or they had thyroid surgery/radioiodine. RESULTS: A total of 27 participants were recruited and completed the trial with no serious side effects linked to treatment. Daily carbimazole dose at 12 months was less than 5 mg in 21 of 27 participants. Thirteen of 27 participants were in remission at 24 months (48%, 90% one-sided CI, 35%-100%); this exceeded the critical value (9) for the A'Hern design and provided evidence of a promising remission rate. B-lymphocyte count at 28 weeks, expressed as a percentage of baseline, was related to likelihood of remission. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant RTX, administered with a 12-month course of ATD, may increase the likelihood of remission in young people with Graves hyperthyroidism. A randomized trial of adjuvant RTX in young people with Graves hyperthyroidism is warranted.

The effect of radioiodine treatment on the characteristics of TRAb in Graves' disease.

BACKGROUND: Graves' disease (GD) is one of the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in humans, and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) is a characterized autoantibody in GD. The use of radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) for GD treatment is increasing. OBJECTIVES: We studied the biological properties of TRAb and evaluated the effect of RAI therapy on TRAb in GD patients. METHODS: In total, 225 patients (22 onset GD patients without 131I therapy, 203 GD patients treated with 131I therapy) and 20 healthy individuals as normal controls were included in this study. Clinical assessments were performed, and we examined in vitro the biological properties of TRAb in the 22 onset GD patients and 20 controls as well as 84 GD patients with 131I therapy. RESULTS: Serum TRAb and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels increased in the initial year of RAI treatment, and both antibodies decreased gradually after one year. After 5 years from radioiodine treatment, TRAb and TPOAb levels decreased in 88% and 65% of GD patients, respectively. The proportion of patients positive for thyroid-stimulatory antibody (TSAb) was significantly higher in the 7-12-month group, and thyroid-blocking antibody (TBAb) levels were elevated after one year in half of the patients who received 131I treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of GD patients with radioiodine increased TPOAb and TRAb (their main biological properties were TSAbs) within the first year after therapy, and the main biological properties of elevated TRAb were TBAbs after 1 year.

Evaluation of analytic and clinical performance of two immunoassays for detecting thyroid-stimulating receptor antibody in the diagnosis of Graves' disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of two immunoassays for diagnosis of Graves' disease (GD), the Immulite thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), and Elecsys Anti-TSH receptor (TSHR) assay. METHODS: Precision and analytical measurement range were assessed using pooled samples of patients. The comparison between the two methods was evaluated using 579 clinical samples, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn using the final diagnosis as reference. Clinical sensitivity and specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the two tests. RESULTS: The repeatability and intermediate imprecision coefficient of variation (CV%) of the TSI assay were 3.8% and 4.1% at 0.95 IU/L, and 3.5% and3.6% at 19.5 IU/L, respectively. The assays were linear over a range 0.27-38.5 IU/L. There was a high correlation between the quantitative results of the two methods (correlation coefficient r = 0.930). The cut-off value obtained by ROC analysis for TSI assay was 0.7 IU/L with sensitivity of 93.7% and specificity of 85.1%. An overall qualitative agreement of 91.5% between two methods was observed. Among 44 patients with discordant qualitative results, the TSI assay provided more satisfactory results consistent with clinical diagnoses. CONCLUSION: The TSI assay showed excellent analytical performance and provided a high PPV for GD.

Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody levels and thyroid dysfunction after hysterosalpingography: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) performed with an iodine contrast media can cause thyroid dysfunction, including thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism. We investigated the association between the serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), an indicator of Graves' disease, and abnormal thyroid function after performing HSG. METHODS: The screening of TRAb was conducted in 362 patients who first visited the Tawara IVF Clinic between April and September 2018. The association between TRAb levels and the effects of HSG examinations on thyroid function were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 362 patients, 2 (0.55%) had high levels (>2.0 IU/L) of TRAb, whereas 18 (5.0%) had intermediate TRAb levels, ranging from 0.3 to 1.9 IU/L. Of the 98 women (including 7 of the 18 women with TRAb level 0.3-1.9 IU/L, and 91 of the 342 women with TRAb level <0.3 IU/L) who had undergone HSG, two women developed overt thyrotoxicosis after HSG, and the frequency was significantly higher (p = .0044) in the group with intermediate levels of TRAb (28.6%, 2 of 7) than that in the group with low TRAb levels (<0.3 IU/L; 0.0%, 0 of 91). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that increased serum levels of TRAb are significantly associated with the development of thyrotoxicosis after HSG.

Age Moderates the Impact of TRAbs on Thyroid Hormones and Hepatic Function in Patients with Graves' Disease.

Thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) play a significant role in the course of hepatic dysfunction (HDF) in patients with Graves' disease (GD). However, few studies have considered the factors that influence the relationships among TRAbs, thyroid hormone levels, and hepatic function in subjects with newly diagnosed GD. Here we investigated the associations of TRAbs with thyroid hormones and hepatic function and assessed potential factors that can influence these associations among patients with GD. A total of 368 patients newly diagnosed with GD were collected in this cross-sectional study. Patients who had received antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery were excluded. Levels of TRAbs and thyroid hormones and hepatic function were recorded. Linear and binary logistic regression analysis models were applied to investigate associations among these variables after adjusting for confounding characteristics. There was a significant difference in TRAbs indices between the HDF and normal hepatic function groups (p <0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the relationship between TRAbs and thyroid hormones was nonlinear, showing a curve with an initial positive slope and a subsequent flattening (p <0.05). Higher TRAbs were associated with HDF [odds ratio (OR) 1.036, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.018-1.053 per 1-IU/l increase]. These associations were modified by age, but not by gender, smoking status, Graves' orbitopathy, thyroid-peroxidase antibody levels, or thyroglobulin antibody levels. In younger patients, increasing TRAbs were correlated with higher thyroid hormones and HDF (OR 1.034, 95% CI 1.017-1.052) per1-IU/l increase). In older patients, TRAbs were not correlated with thyroid hormones or HDF (OR 1.024, 95% CI 0.993-1.056) per 1-IU/l increase. Age can affect the impact of TRAbs on thyroid hormone levels and hepatic function in GD. TRAb measurement can have good predictive value in younger patients.

Clinical efficacy of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin detection for diagnosing Graves' disease and predictors of responsiveness to methimazole.

BACKGROUND: As thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) are a sign of Graves' disease (GD), measuring TSI titers is becoming increasingly important for GD diagnosis. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a new fully automated TSI immunoassay (Immulite™ TSI assay) in GD patients and compared it to the third generation thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) electrochemiluminescence assay (Elecsys Anti-TSHR assay). Additionally, clinical characteristics associated with responsiveness to methimazole in patients with newly diagnosed GD were preliminarily explored. METHODS: This study involved 324 subjects, comprising patients with untreated GD (GD-UT), Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) patients, GD patients who had been treated for > 12 months (GD-T), autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) patients, and healthy subjects (HS). The Immulite™ TSI and Elecsys Anti-TSHR assay were performed on all samples. According to their responsiveness to methimazole, the GD-UT patients were divided into rapid and slow responder groups, and their clinical characteristics were compared. RESULTS: A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of GD-UT patients showed that the optimal TSI cut-off value was 0.57 IU/L. Logistic regression revealed that age and initial FT4 and TSI levels in the middle-dose methimazole group were related to a rapid response, while the initial FT4 level, but not TSI, in the high-dose group was also associated with a rapid response. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical diagnostic performance of the Immulite™ TSI assay for diagnosing GD was comparable to that of the Elecsys Anti-TSHR assay. The initial FT4 and TSI levels can be used as predictors of the responsiveness to methimazole in patients with newly diagnosed GD.

A cyclic peptide significantly improves thyroid function, thyrotropin-receptor antibodies and orbital mucine /collagen content in a long-term Graves' disease mouse model.

BACKGROUND: BALB/c mice which received long-term immunizations of adenovirus (Ad) expressing thyrotropin receptor A-subunits (TSHR) developed stable Graves' disease (GD). TSHR-derived cyclic peptide 19 (P19) was identified as effective therapy in this model. METHODS: In Ad-TSHR mice, we investigated shorter disease intervals up to 4 months for histological alterations of the orbits, fine tuning of anti-TSHR antibodies (Ab) and free thyroxine (fT4) hormone levels by using novel detection methods in an independent laboratory. Therapy (0.3 mg/kg P19 or vehicle) was given intravenously after the fourth Ad-TSHR immunization (week 11) and continued until week 19. RESULTS: Thyrotropin binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII, bridge immunoassay), blocking (TBAb) and stimulating (TSAb) TSHR-Ab (both cell-based bioassays) and serum levels of fT4 were significantly elevated at week 11 in Ad-TSHR-immunized mice versus none in control mice. For the first time, TSAb, TBAb, and thyroperoxidase-Ab were detected in 17 of 19, 12/19 and 6/19 Ad-TSHR immunized mice, respectively at week 21. Also, for the first time, this study showed that P19 treatment markedly reduced serum TBII (p < 0.0001), serum fT4 (p = 0.02), and acidic mucins and collagen content in the orbital tissue of Ad-TSHR-immunized mice. CONCLUSION: P19 significantly improved thyroid function, confirming previous results in an independent second laboratory. A relevant shift of anti-TSHR antibody subpopulations in response to P19 therapy may help explain its immunological effects. Moreover, P19 exerted a beneficial effect on mucine and collagen content of orbital tissue. Hence, P19 offers a potential novel therapeutic approach for GD and associated orbitopathy.

First case report of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising within a functional teratoma in Graves' disease patient.

AIM: Mature cystic teratoma is the most common kind of ovarian germ tumor. However, malignant transformation is uncommon, differentiated thyroid carcinoma is even rare. Hyperthyroidism due to coexistence of Graves' disease (GD) and struma ovarii has been reported. Functional teratoma with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in GD case has never been reported in literature. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 48-year-old woman with GD for 4 years, who visited our hospital with complaints of severe abdominal pain for 1 day. Computed tomography of the abdominal revealed a large fat-containing lesion with dense calcification, measured 8.6 × 7.2 cm in size. Laparotomy right total oophorectomy was performed, and a huge gangrenous right ovary was noted during exploration. The final pathological diagnosis was teratoma with PTC change at right ovary. We performed thyroglobulin, TTF-1 and CK19 staining in the teratoma, the results were positive, suggesting the thyroid-hormone secretion in the PTC tissue. RESULT: After resection of the ovarian lesion, euthyroidism was achieved. Adjuvant thyroidectomy is not performed for no evidence of thyroid lesion or distant metastases. No GD recurrence in the 2 years after operation. The patient also does not manifest any gynecological disease symptoms, whereas the other ovary, in the follow-up ultrasound examinations, shows normal size and echo structure. CONCLUSION: PTC can arise within ovarian teratoma and may have thyroid hormone production. Surgeries of unilateral oophorectomy or cystectomy are a reasonable treatment, and follow-up of thyroid image and data is necessary.

Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms as an initial presentation of pediatric thyroid storm: report of three cases.

OBJECTIVES: Thyroid storm (TS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by decompensated hyperthyroidism. There is no consensus on how to diagnose pediatric TS. We report three pediatric cases of TS presenting with central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as the initial presentation of Graves' disease. CASE PRESENTATION: They were previously healthy adolescents without family history of thyroid disease. CNS symptoms varied from agitation to coma. GI symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Their laboratory studies revealed thyrotoxicosis and positive result of thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb). They were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and received the combination of an antithyroid drug, Lugol's solution, a beta antagonist, and hydrocortisone. The most severe case was a 13 year-old Japanese girl who presented with loss of consciousness and hemodynamic shock. She died after 5 days of intensive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians should consider TS in the differential diagnosis when a patient exhibits both CNS and GI symptoms.

Blocking the Thyrotropin Receptor with K1-70 in a Patient with Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Graves' Disease, and Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

Background: We report the therapeutic use of K1-70™, a thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) antagonist monoclonal antibody, in a patient with follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), Graves' disease (GD), and Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Methods: A 51-year-old female patient, who smoked, presented in October 2014 with FTC complicated by GD, high levels of TSHR autoantibodies with high thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) activity, and severe GO. K1-70 was administered at 3 weekly intervals with the dose adjusted to block TSAb activity. Her cancer was managed with lenvatinib and radioiodine therapy. Results: Following initiation of K1-70 therapy, TSAb activity measured in serum decreased and GO (proptosis and inflammation) improved. On K1-70 monotherapy during the pause in lenvatinib, several metastatic lesions stabilized while others showed progression attenuation compared with that before lenvatinib therapy. Conclusions: These observations suggest that blocking TSHR stimulation with K1-70 can be an effective treatment for GO and may also benefit select patients with FTC and GD.

Beneficial effect of low-dose radioiodine ablation for Graves' orbitopathy: results of a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) reflects an autoimmune response against antigens expressed by the thyroid and orbital tissues. Elimination of thyroid antigens may be beneficial for GO. Total thyroid ablation (TTA) [thyroidectomy (Tx), followed by 30 mCi of radioiodine] was shown to exert a beneficial effect on GO following intravenous glucocorticoids (ivGC) compared with Tx alone. Here, we investigated retrospectively whether TTA performed with a 15 mCi of radioiodine still maintains advantages over Tx. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects, 13 treated with TTA (performed with 15 mCi of radioiodine) and 19 with Tx alone, all with moderately severe, active GO, treated with ivGC, were studied. The primary objective was the outcome of GO at 24 weeks based on a composite evaluation. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ at baseline in terms of sex, age, smoking habits, TSH, anti-TSH receptor autoantibodies, GO duration and eye features. The proportion of GO responders at 24 weeks was greater in the TTA (61.5%) than in the Tx group (26.3%, P = 0.046). In contrast, GO outcome at 48 weeks did not differ between the two groups (69.2% vs 52.6% of responder in TTA and Tx group, respectively). The outcome of the individual GO features did not differ between the two groups both a 24 and 48 months. CONCLUSIONS: The advantage of total thyroid ablation seems to be a more rapid response for GO to ivGC treatment. Prospective, randomized studies in a larger number of subjects are needed to confirm our findings.

The profile of autoimmunity in Type 1 diabetes patients.

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder caused by pancreatic ß-cells destruction. Anti-pancreatic antibodies are the witness of ß-cell destruction and their dosage is mainly used for etiological diagnosis. Patients with T1DM are at increased risk of developing other autoimmune reactions, which may involve other organs, resulting in organ specific autoimmune disease. The most frequently encountered are autoimmune thyroid disease, followed by celiac and gastric disease and other rare autoimmune diseases. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of autoimmune markers in patients with T1DM. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Endocrinology of the Military Hospital Moulay Ismail in Meknes Morocco, from January 2016 to December 2018. All Type 1 diabetes patients consulting during the study period were included in the study. Their clinical and biochemical data were collected at their first presentation, made up of anti-pancreatic antibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] antibody, tyrosine phosphatase antibody, and islet cell antibody) and other organ-specific antibodies: the thyroid (antithyroid peroxidase antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, and antithyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody), the intestine (IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody), the adrenal gland (anti-21 hydroxylase antibody), and the stomach (antigastric parietal cell antibody and anti-intrinsic factor antibody). Results: Fifty-four patients were included, with an average age of 26 years. GAD, tyrosine phosphatase, and islet cell antibodies were detected in 74%, 22%, and 3.7%, respectively, of the 54 patients examined. The prevalence of extrapancreatic autoimmunity was 45% with a large preponderance among different immunities of those from thyroid and celiac diseases (CDs). Conclusion: Our results confirm that patients with Type 1 diabetes should be investigated for the presence of autoimmune diseases mainly from thyroid and CDs.

RésuméContexte: Le diabète sucré de type 1 est une maladie auto-immune causée par la destruction des cellules bêta pancréatiques. Les anticorps anti-pancréatiques sont les témoins d'une destruction des cellules ß et leur dosage est principalement utilisé pour le diagnostic étiologique. Les patients atteints de diabète de type 1 courent un risque accru de développer d'autres réactions auto-immunes, qui peuvent impliquer d'autres organes, entraînant une maladie auto-immune spécifique à l'organe. Les plus souvent rencontrées sont les maladies thyroïdiennes auto-immunes, suivies des maladies cœliaques et gastriques et d'autres maladies auto-immunes rares. Objectifs: Le but de ce travail est d'étudier la prévalence des marqueurs auto-immunes chez les patients atteints de diabète de type 1. Méthodes: L'étude a été menée au Département d'Endocrinologie de l'Hôpital Militaire Moulay Ismail à Meknès Maroc, de janvier 2016 à décembre 2018. Tous les patients diabétiques de type 1 consultant pendant la période d'étude ont été inclus dans l'étude. Leurs données cliniques et biochimiques ont été recueillies à leur première présentation, composées d'anticorps anti-pancréatiques (anticorps anti acide-glutamique décarboxylase, anticorps anti-tyrosine phosphatase, et les anticorps anti-cellules des îlots de langerhans) et d'autres anticorps spécifiques à certains organes: la thyroïde (anticorps anti-thyroperoxydase, anticorps anti-thyréoglobuline et anticorps anti-récepteur de thyroid stimulating hormon), l'intestin (anticorps anti-transglutaminase IgA), la glande surrénale (anticorps anti-21hydroxylase) et l'estomac (anticorps anti-cellules pariétales gastrique et anticorps anti-facteur intrinsèque). Résultats: 54 patients ont été inclus, avec un âge moyen de 26 ans. Les anticorps anti- acide-glutamique décarboxylase, les anticorps anti-tyrosine phosphatase et les anticorps anti-cellules des îlots de langerhans ont été détectés dans 74%, 22% et 3,7%, respectivement, des 54 patients examinés. La prévalence de l'auto-immunité extrapancréatique était de 45% avec une grande prépondérance parmi les différentes pathologies auto-immunes de ceux des maladies thyroïdiennes et cœliaques. Conclusion: Nos résultats confirment que les patients atteints de diabète de type 1 devraient bénéficier de la recherche de la présence d'autres maladies auto-immunes principalement de la thyroïde et la maladie cœliaque.

The Clinical Value and Variation of Antithyroid Antibodies during Pregnancy.

Antithyroid antibodies, which include thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAbs), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs), and thyroid globulin antibodies (TgAbs), are widely known for their tight association with thyroid autoimmune diseases. The variation in all three kinds of antibodies also showed different trends during and after pregnancy (Weetman, 2010). This article reviewed the the physiological changes, while focusing on the variation of thyroid antibodies concentration in women during and after pregnancy, and adverse consequences related to their elevation. Since abnormal elevations of these antithyroid antibodies may lead to adverse outcomes in both mothers and fetuses, special attention must be paid to the titer of the antibodies during pregnancy. The molecular mechanisms of the variations in those antibodies have yet to be explained. The frequency and timing of thyroid antibody measurement, as well as different reference levels, also remain to be elucidated.

fT3:fT4 ratio in Graves' disease - correlation with TRAb level, goiter size and age of onset.

INTRODUCTION: Graves' Disease (GD) is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism occurring mostly in young women. The main pathogenic role of the disease is attributed to TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), which stimulate the thyroid gland to increase production of the most active thyroid hormone- triiodothyronine (T3). High level of TRAb and a large goiter size are commonly known as poor prognostic factors for the disease and are used to predict relapse. THE AIM: The purpose of our study was to check the correlation between fT3:fT4 ratio with TRAb concentration, total volume of thyroid and age of GD onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 114 patients with onset or relapse of GD were analyzed. Those after thyroidectomy or radioiodine therapy were not taken into analysis. The data was retrospectively retrieved from the hospital's records consisting of patients' sex, age, level of TRAb, fT3, fT4 and thyroid volume on ultrasonography. The association between fT3:fT4 and TRAb concentration, thyroid volume and age was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The group was predominated by women (19.3% men, 80.7% women). The average age was 47.0. The analysis revealed positive correlation between: 1) fT3:fT4 ratio and total volume of thyroid (correlation ratio: 0.37; p <0.05) 2) fT3:fT4 ratio and level of TRAb (correlation ratio: 0.26; p or <0.05) 3) negative correlation between fT3:fT4 ratio and patient's age (correlation ratio: -0.14; p = 0.144). CONCLUSIONS: Positive correlations between fT3:fT4 ratio and TRAb level and total volume of thyroid (poor predictors of GD) may confirm that high level of fT3 can also be a prognostic factor for GD severity.

Infliximab Therapy Could Decrease the Risk of the Development of Thyroid Disorders in Pediatric Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), may be associated with Crohn's disease (CD). Taking into consideration the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the immune-mediated inflammation that underlies both diseases, we evaluated an ultrasound of thyroid gland in pediatric CD patients, naïve, and treated with infliximab (IFX), an anti-TNF-alpha antibody, to assess the risk for AITD and evaluated the usefulness of ultrasonography to diagnose AITD in patients with CD. Sixty-one patients with CD were enrolled in the study, including 36 patients (mean age 14.5 ± 3.5 years) treated with IFX (IFX group) for a mean of 13.9 ± 16.6 months and 25 patients (mean age 14.7 ± 2.3 years) who never received anti-TNF-alpha therapy (control group). An ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland was performed; thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies were assessed. We found 10-times higher prevalence of decreased thyroid echogenicity in CD and IFX-naive patients compared to IFX-treated group [a significant reduction in thyroid echogenicity in 1/36 (2.8%) patients receiving IFX compared to 7/25 (28%) patients naive to biologic therapy]. The latter showed significantly lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (p = 0.034) and higher levels of thyroid antibodies (p = 0.042) in comparison to control. Our data suggest the protective role of IFX therapy in the development of thyroid disorders and indicate the usefulness of thyroid ultrasound to identify the risk of probable AITD in pediatric patients with CD.