How common is postpartum thyroiditis? A methodologic overview of the literature.
The incidence of postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) in the general population has been reported to range from 1.9% to 16.7%, depending on the study. To determine whether bias may have played a role in the generation of these widely varying estimates, a set of methodologic criteria were applied to the published original research dealing with the epidemiology of PPT. The articles that passed these methodologic filters reported a narrow range of incidences of PPT, varying between 3.7% and 5.9%. Reanalysis of these articles confirmed that thyrotoxicosis occurred more frequently in the first 3 months post partum than did hypothyroidism, and that a positive antimicrosomal antibody titer was strongly associated with postpartum thyroid dysfunction (odds ratio, 86.6; 95% confidence interval, 45.9 to 163.2). This article suggests that PPT is a common condition that occurs in the postpartum period. The best estimate of the incidence of PPT in an unselected cohort of postpartum women is 4.9%.
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Gerstein
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; C056626:thyroid microsomal antibodies