AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN THE SOUTH OF IRAN (BANDAR ABBAS)

Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disease that is associated with other autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto thyroiditis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) in type 1 diabetic patients in the south of Iran (Bandar Abbas). A cross-sectional study, was conducted 48 type 1 diabetics and 41 age and sex matched healthy controls were evaluated for the presence of ATD. Blood sample were collected from all of the subjects for the measurement of thyroid autoantobodies [anti thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti thyroglobulin (anti-TG)], T3, T4, TSH, RT3U and HbA1c. Prevalence of positive anti-TPO and anti-TG was 29 % and 29% respectively in diabetic patients and 2% and 7% respectively in control group (P<0.05). The prevalence of ATD (positive anti TPO or anti TG) in diabetic patients and control subjects was 35% and 7% respectively (P<0.05). The prevalence of positive anti TPO and anti TG was higher in girls. There was no association between the prevalence of positive autoantibody and duration or age of onset of diabetes. 17.6% of diabetic patients with positive autoantibody had thyroid dysfunction (subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism). Regarding high prevalence of ATD in type 1 diabetic patients in Bandar Abbas (approximately 1 out of 3 patients), screening for ATD and thyroid dysfunction is recommended for all type 1 diabetic patiens and in those with positive autoantibody consecutively.