Background: Vitiligo is a common skin disorder, and the pathogenesis is unknown. An increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases has been described in these patients.
Objective: to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and hypoparathyroidism in patients with vitiligo.
Methods: One hundred and twenty patients (48 males and 72 females) with vitiligo were enrolled. Thyroid physical examination was carried out. Thyroid function tests, thyroid antibodies, calcium and phosphorus were assessed. The collected data were analyzed.
Results: Thyromegaly was found in 32.1% of patients. In 16 patients (15.7%), TSH levels were more than normal, and in 12 of them, it was more than 5 mIU/l. In these 16 cases, there were 12 females and 4 males. Antibody positivity was the most common disorder (anti-TPO and anti-tg were positive in 38.7 and 34.1%, respectively). No patient had hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction, particulary hypothyroidism and thyroid antibodies increased in patients with vitiligo.
Keywords: Thyroid antibodies, Thyroid dysfunction, Vitiligo
