Auto-immune Thyroid Disease
Year: 1960
Type: article
Abstract: utoimmune thyroid disease is the commonest category of autoimmune disease in humans. Prevalences of up to 10% are quoted, with a higher prevalence in women than men. The two leading types are Hashimoto's type autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), including the atrophic form, which presents as primary myxedema, and autoimmune thyroiditis, which is also known as Graves' disease (or Basedow's disease in a number of European countries). Rarer forms of autoimmune thyroiditis are silent thyroiditis, the iatrogenic thyroiditides, and postpartum thyroiditis. De Quervain's sub acute thyroiditis and Riedel's goiter are additional types of thyroiditis which are of non-autoimmune etiology, and will therefore be excluded from this discussion. Methods A literature search of PubMed was conducted from 1980 to 2006, using the following terms: Hashimotos's thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves' disease, etiology, pathogenesis, anti-TPO auto antibodies, anti-Tg auto antibodies, TSH receptor auto antibodies, outcome prediction, endocrine ophthalmopathy. Autoimmune thyroiditides Classification The commonest form of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is hypertrophic thyroiditis of the Hashimoto type. As part of the process of lymphocytic destruction, this can develop into a secondary atrophic form. Silent thyroiditis is a clinically milder variant. In clinical practice this is often subsumed under the heading of AIT, and in any case, a definite categorization is only possible during the course of the illness. In postpartum thyroiditis, and in the iatrogenic thyroiditides, autoimmune elements can often be demonstrated, which is why this form is counted among the autoimmune thyroiditides. Genetic and environmental factors Studies have shown an association between HLA class 2 molecules DR3, DR4 and DR5 and the incidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, the data are as yet inconclusive. The cytotoxic T cell surface molecule clearly has a role in AIT. Predisposing environmental
Source: BMJ
Language: French
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2186810347