Comparison of thyroid disease prevalence in patients with celiac disease and controls

Aim/ Background:

Celiac disease (CD) is a form of intestinal malabsorption syndrome that is closely related to endocrine disorders, especially autoimmune thyroid disease and diabetes. The prevalence of thyroid disease (TD) is likely increased among patients with CD which necessitates the need for screening for TD among them. This study aimed to screen for TD in untreated CD patients and to evaluate the effect of gender and age on its prevalence.

This comparative cross-sectional study conducted on 288 consecutive untreated patients with CD (mean age 27.9±14) and 250 controls (mean age 29.01±13.15) referred for endoscopy in a hospital located in Iran. Thyroid function was assayed by measuring T3, T4, and TSH levels using ELISA technique, and testing anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies measured using Electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS v.22 software using descriptive statistics and chi-squared test and ANOVA.

Thyroid disease was 4-fold higher in patients than in controls (13.6% vs. 3.2%, p<0.05). Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 30 patients and 7 controls, while hyperthyroidism was in 9 patients and in one control. Chi-squared test results reported a significant difference in TD prevalence between patients and controls based on gender and age (p<0.05). In both groups, women were signi?cantly more affected than men, and the TD prevalence was higher in younger patients compared to adults.

There is a strong association between thyroid dysfunction and CD in Iranian patients. In this regard, it is necessary to screen them for TD.