Thyroid comorbidities do not seem to negatively impact multiple sclerosis course: A single centre cohort study

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease with distinct clinical and pathologic phenotypes. Thyroid disorders play an essential role in studies evaluating the coexistence of both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases in MS patients. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of RRMS patients with thyroid pathologies and to determine the impact of the coexistence of both diseases on clinical or radiologic outcomes. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data of patients with thyroid pathology (RRMS and thyroid pathology) who were followed up in our center for at least 12 months were retrospectively evaluated from patient files. Thyroid pathology was present in 34 patients with RRMS, 29 females and five males. Hashimoto's disease was the most common pathology. There was no significant difference between the presence or absence of thyroid pathologies in patients with RRMS in terms of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory characteristics. Thyroid pathologies, especially Hashimoto's disease, are among the most common autoimmune disorders in MS. This condition does not adversely affect the course of MS. On the other hand, no significant difference is expected in the hormonal follow-up of patients with Hashimoto's disease accompanying MS. Correction of thyroid pathology and hormone replacement therapy may be necessary for the course of MS. Further studies evaluating prospective standardized replacement therapies are needed.

Keywords: Hashimoto's disease; Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis; Thyroid pathologies.