Alterations of thyroid functions in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Autoimmunity is the most commonly accepted theory in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This is supported by the association of vitiligo with many other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the laboratory profiles of a cohort of patients with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). Patients and methods This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with NSV and 100 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers as controls. Laboratory workup included thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free thyroxine, antithyroid peroxidase antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, and antinuclear antibody (ANA). Results Thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine showed a significant difference between patients with vitiligo and control (P=0.007). There was a statistically significant increase in the level of antithyroid peroxidase antibody (P=0.000) and antithyroglobulin antibody (P=0.000) antibodies in patients with NSV. Conclusion NSV is associated with disturbance of thyroid function tests and significant increase of thyroid autoantibodies.