The prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in dermatitis herpetiformis.
The prevalence of IgG class thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies, estimated using a sensitive ELISA, was 48% in 115 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, which was significantly greater than the prevalence of 16% in 107 unselected controls without dermatitis herpetiformis. IgA class thyroid antibodies were found in 29% of dermatitis herpetiformis patients. Overt thyroid disease had been diagnosed in six (5%) of the dermatitis herpetiformis group and a further six patients had elevated TSH levels. The presence of thyroid antibodies was not associated with particular HLA-DR antigens. These results demonstrate the frequent occurrence of thyroid antibodies in dermatitis herpetiformis, although thyroid failure is less commonly associated with this condition. Immune response genes outside the HLA-DR region may be involved in the immune hyper-responsiveness seen in dermatitis herpetiformis which is reflected in the high prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity.
Weetman
A P
AP
Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, U.K.
Burrin
J M
JM
Mackay
D
D
Leonard
J N
JN
Griffiths
C E
CE
Fry
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin