Increased Prevalence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies–associated Vasculitis

Abstract

Objective.Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) has been linked with thyroid disease as a result of antithyroid medications. We assessed the prevalence of thyroid disease in our patients with AAV.Methods.Clinical records of 279 patients with AAV diagnosed between 1991 and 2014 were analyzed.Results.Thyroid disease was identified in 21.5% of patients, but only 2 had previously received propylthiouracil. There was a greater proportion of female patients, patients with antimyeloperoxidase antibodies, and patients with renal disease in the group with thyroid disease.Conclusion.Our data show a higher prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with AAV than the general population. This was not attributable to antithyroid drugs.