title: Rheumatologic manifestations in Iranian patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) are the most common endocrine diseases which result in rheumatologic manifestations. Some studies have shown association between rheumatologic disorders and ATDs. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of rheumatologic manifestations in patients with ATDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional descriptive study during 2010 to 2011, 65 patients with ATDs referred to the Rheumatology clinic of 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (North of Iran) were studied via systematic random sampling and patients with positive antithyroid peroxides (anti-TPO) were included in the study. These patients were examined by a rheumatologist for diagnosis of rheumatologic manifestations and tested for serum levels of TSH, Free T3 and T4, Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANAs) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF). SPSS software (version 16) and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine males (14.8%) and 56 females (86.2%) with mean age of 38.81±1.44 years were studied. Overall, Rheumatologic manifestations were seen in 86.2 % (n=56). In this study, the most frequent rheumatologic manifestations were Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (36.1%) and Osteoarthritis (23%). Reynaud's phenomenon (RP) (10.7%), Discopathy (8.9%), Fibromyalgia (5.3%), Myopathy (3.6%), Rheumatoid arthritis (3.6%) and trigger finger (3.6%) were other manifestations, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this region, there is a high frequency of rheumatologic manifestations in patients with ATDs. Thus, initial evaluation and regular checkings are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Gorgan, Iran .
authors.forename: Sharabeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hezarkhani
authors.affiliation: Rheumatologist, Assistant Professor, Joints, Bone and Connective Tissue Research Centre (JBCRC), Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Gorgan, Iran .
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sedighi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatologist, Assistant Professor, Joints, Bone and Connective Tissue Research Centre (JBCRC), Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Gorgan, Iran .
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aghaei
authors.affiliation: Medical Doctor (MD), Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Gorgan, Iran .
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shamekhi
authors.affiliation: Nurse (BSN), Golestan University of Medical Sciences , Gorgan, Iran .
authors.forename: Mahin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nomali
keywords: Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs); Manifestations; Rheumatologic