title: [Autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension].
abstract: Abnormal metabolism due to thyroid disorders could cause the additional significant right ventricular (RV) overload in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The purpose of this study was the prospective determination of autoimmune thyroid status in PPH patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 patients (33 women and 12 men, mean age 38 years+/-13) with moderate and severe PPH (mean pulmonary artery pressure 61 mmHg+/-18 mmHg). PPH was diagnosed when other reason of pulmonary hypertension had been excluded especially thromboembolic, venous and hypoxemic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Titer of antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase were measured. Thyroid gland dysfunction was determined by biochemical measurements of thyrotropin and free thyroxine; thyroid ultrasonographic examination was also performed. The prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies is estimated at 13% in general population. RESULTS. In 14 patients (31%) increased titer of thyroid antibodies was found in our group. Hyperthyroidism was recognized in 2 patients and in 3 cases we diagnosed hypothyroidism with high antibodies level requiring treatment. Ultrasonographic abnormalities were revealed in 21 patients (nodular changes--11 patients, fibrosis--3 patients, chronic inflammation symptoms--7). Ultrasonographic abnormalities were present in all patients with detectable antithyroid antibodies. We haven't confirmed more frequent prevalence of hormonal disorders in patient treated with prostacyclin's analogues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases is about 3 times higher in PPH patients than in general population. The treatment of patients with clinically evident hyper- or hypothyroidism is necessary. The monitoring of clinically silent disorders seems to be recommended especially prior to lung transplantation qualification.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych Klatki Piersiowej, Instytut Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wawrzyńska
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurzyna
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuca
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fijałkowska
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kober
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Florczyk
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torbicki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine