Is There a Drug Effect on the Development of Permanent Hypothyroidism in Subacute Thyroiditis?

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a transient inflammatory disease that occurs often after an upper respiratory tract infection. Permanent hypothyroidism ratio is reported in 5-26% of the SAT patients. In this study, we tried to compare the treatment options on permanent hypothyroidism in our SAT patients. It is a retrospective study. The medical records of SAT patients between 2010 and 2015 were analysed. The medical records of 81 patients were analysed for demographic data, laboratory and clinical course, treatment and 1 year outcome. 81 patients were classified in steroid (n=29), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (n=33) and steroid+NSAID (n=19) groups. Male/female ratio was similar and female domination was demonstrated in all groups. In the steroid and NSAID groups the pretreatment thyroid function tests were diagnosed as hyperthyroidism. In the steroid+NSAID group they were not diagnosed as hyperthyroidism in the beginning. In all groups the thyroid function tests were all in normal levels (p>0.05) one year later. In all groups the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were increased in the pretreatment period and decreased with the treatment. In total, right lobe involvement of thyroiditis was more detected (40/81 (49%)) (p=0.018). Permanent hypothyroidism observed in steroid, NSAID, and steroid+NSAID groups were 7/29 (24%), 5/33 (15%), 3/19 (16%) respectively (p>0.05). In this study, treatment drug option did not affect the permanent hypothyroidism one year after in our SAT patients.