A Clinical Study Of Thyroid Function In Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating diseases ofcentral nervous system (CNS). Autoimmunity plays an important role in itspathogenic mechanisms. Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an inflammatorydemyelinating disease,predominantly affecting the spinal cord and opticnerves.These two diseases have some clinical characters in common.In clinicalpractice, MS patients were found accompanied with other autoimmune diseases,especially with thyroid disorders. A clear detection of thyroid function in MSpatients will be helpful to inquire susceptibility of MS patients to thyroid disease andto explore the underlying pathogenesis mechanism of MS.Objective:To study thyroid function in MS and NMO patients and analyze itsrelationship with sex, age, course, neural dysfunction.Methods: Clinical data were collected from52MS patients and29NMOpatients with98normal people matched by sex and gender as control group. Allthese patients were admitted into Department of Neurology, the1st Hospital of JilinUniversity during the past18months (from Mar2012to Sep2013). Serum thyroidhormone (T3, T4, fT3, fT4and TSH) and antithyroid antibodies(TPOAb and TGAb)were measured in each group. Clinical features were recorded and admission EDSSscore were checked. Data were analyzed with Statistical Program for Social Sciences(SPSS) statistical software (17.0version).Results:(1) Compared to control group, serum TSH, T3, and fT4mean levelelevated in MS group and TSH elevation had statistical significance (P<0.05); serumT4and fT3mean level decreased without statistical significance (P>0.05); ATApositive ratio elevated markedly with statistical significance (P<0.05).(2) Comparedto control group, serum TSH and T3mean level elevated in NMO group and TSHelevation had statistical significance (P<0.05); serum T4, fT4and fT3mean leveldecreased without statistical significance (P>0.05); ATA positive ratio elevatedwithout statistical significance (P>0.05).(3) In terms of sex, age, onset age, course,EDSS score and MRI lesions, there is no significant difference between with or without concurrence of thyroid disorders in MS and NMO patients (P>0.05).Conclusion: It is concluded that MS and NMO patients have susceptibility tosubclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) concurrence. Serum ATA level elevatedsignificantly in MS patients. It is recommended to develop a routine screening ofthyroid hormone and ATA in MS and NMO patients and follow up regularly.