Comparison of thyroid autoimmune status in patients with multiple sclerosis before and after treatment

Abstract

Due to the existence of numerous and sometimes contradictory results in studies related to the increase of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with MS and the lack of similar studies in this regard and the increasing prevalence of MS in the region and the country, we decided to study Objective To evaluate the true incidence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in MS patients before starting treatment to determine whether thyroid disease is a primary phenomenon or not? We will follow up and compare the condition of the patients after starting the treatment and according to the results of the study, we will present a suggested solution for following up these patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed with the participation of 324 patients with MS in Tabriz. Available sampling was performed among patients referred to neurology clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and observing the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thyroid function tests were measured for patients and they were diagnosed with thyroid problems based on whether or not they had it. Among people with thyroid problems, the results of laboratory tests were evaluated with the status of medication used to treat and control MS, and their relationships were obtained with descriptive and inferential statistical tests. P value was considered significant for values less than 0.05. Results: FT3, FT4 and TSH levels were significantly increased over time, while Anti TG and Anti TPO levels were significantly reduced after drug administration. The results of this study could not achieve significant changes following receiving medication to manage MS in thyroid hormones.