title: Effect of therapy for thyroid dysfunction on musculoskeletal symptoms.
abstract: Our purpose was to assess the long-term effect of treatment for thyroid dysfunction on musculoskeletal symptoms. Forty-six patients (37 with hypothyroidism, 9 with hyperthyroidism), who visited the outpatient clinic of rheumatology and had abnormal thyroid function tests on their first visit, cooperated in the study. They were interviewed with a structured questionnaire about their past and current musculoskeletal complaints. Thyroid dysfunction was considered the only explanation for the original musculoskeletal symptoms in 24 patients (Group I); in 19 patients an additional (rheumatological) diagnosis was made (Group II), and in 3 patients no apparent relation between musculoskeletal complaints and thyroid dysfunction was found. After treatment for thyroid dysfunction, the original complaints decreased in 52% and 47% of the patients in Group I and II, respectively. At the time of the follow-up study (mean follow-up duration 67 months) 91% of the patients had musculoskeletal symptoms, 80% of the patients said their present complaints were similar to their original symptoms. Treatment for thyroid dysfunction resulted in a temporary effect on musculoskeletal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kloppenburg
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dijkmans
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rasker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine