Occurrence of thyroid autoimmunity in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients undergoing interferon-beta treatment

Ital J Neurol Sci. 1998 Apr;19(2):65-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02427558.

Abstract

We analyzed the titer of antithyroid autoantibodies (Abs) and thyroid function in 17 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment and in 40 MS control patients. Basal evaluation revealed normal thyroid function in all patients. Abs were detected in 5 IFN-beta-treated patients (29%) and in 4 MS control patients (10%). Our results indicate that IFN-beta treatment may lead to thyroid autoimmunity. We therefore recommend periodic evaluations of antithyroid Abs and thyroid functionality in IFN-beta-treated MS patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / etiology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Autoantibodies
  • Interferon-beta