No association between HIV disease and its treatment and thyroid function

Abstract

The aims of the study were (i) to investigate the prevalence of overt and subclinical thyroid disease in HIV-positive patients in a London teaching hospital; (ii) to determine risk factors associated with the development of thyroid dysfunction, including highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and individual antivirals, and (iii) to determine the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction longitudinally over 3 years. MethodsThe study consisted of retrospective analyses of thyroid function tests (TFT) in HIV-positive patients. The period prevalence of and factors associated with clinical and subclinical thyroid dysfunction were investigated. Patients with normal TFT but previous thyroid disease were identified from pharmacy records and included in the overt category. ResultsA total of 1565 patients (73% of the clinic population) had at least one TFT taken since 2001. Overall, 3584 samples were analysed. Of the patients included in the study, 1233 (79%) were male, 1043 (66%) were white and 365 (23%) were black African, and in 969 (62%) the main risk for HIV was homosexual sex. Median age at baseline was 37 years. Nine hundred patients (58%) were on HAART at the start of the study. Thirty-nine (2.5%) were found to have overt hypothyroidism, and eight (o1%) had overt hyperthyroidism. Sixty-one (4%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, five (o1%) had subclinical hyperthyroidism and 263 (17%) had a nonthyroidal illness. A normal TFT was obtained for 1118 patients (75.5%). Multivariate analysis suggested that no independent variables were significantly associated with overt hypothyroidism, including HAART and stavudine use specifically. Repeated measurements over 3 years were available for 825 patients and only eight new cases (1%) of overt thyroid disease occurred. ConclusionsThe prevalence of overt thyroid disease was low in this cohort, suggesting that screening is not warranted.

Association between antiretrovirals and thyroid diseases: a cross-sectional study

“…Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by slightly elevated TSH and normal FT 4 levels. In the present study, 12.82% of patients had these characteristics, which kept this result above the average prevalence among HIV-infected persons of 3.5% to 12.2% (20)(21)(22). This result was elevated with respect to the overall population, for which the prevalence is 4.3% (19).…”

“…The most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in the population is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which has a prevalence of 0.3% (18,19). Among HIV-infected individuals, the prevalence of primary hypothyroidism is approximately 2.6% (20)(21)(22).…”

A study of thyroid dysfunction in HIV infected patients in a tertiary care hospital

“…A normal TFT was obtained in 1118 patients (75.5%). 12 Prevalence of overt primary hypothyroidism in the general population and HIV infected individuals from different studies across the globe has been reported to be 0.3% and 0-2.6%, respectively. 1,2,7,10 Similarly, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism has also been reported to be higher in HIV infected individuals as compared to the general population (4.3% versus 3.5-12.2%) in different studies.…”

“…11 Madge et al, reported that out of 1565 patients, thirtynine (2.5%) were found to have overt hypothyroidism, and eight (<1%) had overt hyperthyroidism. 12 Sixty-one (4%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, five (<1%) had subclinical hyperthyroidism and 263 (17%) had a nonthyroidal illness. A normal TFT was obtained in 1118 patients (75.5%).…”

Study of thyroid profile in seropositive HIV adults patients on HAART regimen

“…Madge S et al, studied 1565 patients. 7 Out of which, 2.5% had overt hypothyroidism, 4% had subclinical hypothyroidism, normal function was found in 75% of the patients. Varthakavi PK concluded that abnormal thyroid function tests are encountered often in HIV positive individuals.…”