Acta Medica Iranica (Dec 2022)
Correlation of autoimmune thyroid diseases with Helicobacter pylori infection.
Abstract
Abstract: Background: Autoimmune thyroid diseases are multifactorial conditions caused by genetic and environmental factors. Among environmental factors, infectious agents include bacteria, viruses, and parasites acting as triggers. The current study aimed to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune thyroid diseases in a group of Iranian patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Methods: adult patients with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy euthyroid controls were recruited. Various clinical and biochemical parameters including thyroid function tests and serum Helicobacter Ab level (IgG) were assessed and compared between groups. Results: data from 404 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 248 patients with Graves’ disease and 480 healthy individuals were analyzed as a control group. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and control group was 93.3%, 92.7% and 88.8%, respectively. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease was significantly higher than the control group, while the prevalence was not significantly different between the two groups of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. In patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, there was a significant positive correlation between H. pylori antibody levels with FT4, FT3, Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. In the group of patients with Graves' disease, the H. pylori antibody had a significant positive correlation with Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. Conclusion: According to the present results, H. pylori infection is associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases (both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ diseases).
