Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 35 P908 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.35.P908

ECE2014 Poster Presentations Pituitary Clinical (<emphasis role="italic">Generously supported by IPSEN</emphasis>) (108 abstracts)

High prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases in females with prolactinomas: results from a cross-sectional case–control prospective study in a single tertiary referral centre

Atanaska Elenkova , Iliana Atanasova , Georgi Kirilov , Emil Natchev , Ralitsa Ivanova , Rusanka Kovatcheva , Anna-Maria Borissova , Dimitar Tcharaktchiev , Hristo Dimitrov & Sabina Zacharieva


Clinical Centre of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University - Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.


Background: Experimental studies have demonstrated that prolactin is a potent immunomodulator influencing both humoral and cell-mediated responses. In accordance with these data, our retrospective studies revealed higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases in prolactinoma patients compared to general population.

Design: A prospective cross-sectional case–control study was carried out in a single tertiary referral centre.

Aim: Assessment of the frequency of newly diagnosed autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) in female patients with prolactinomas compared to sex- and age-matched healthy controls.

Study groups: The study population consisted of 260 females (154 patients and 106 healthy controls).

Methods: Physical exam, thyroid ultrasound and laboratory testing (measurement of antibodies to thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, TSH-receptor, serum TSH and FT4 levels) were performed in all study participants.

Results: AITD were diagnosed in 29.9% of patients and 10.4% of healthy subjects (P=0.0002). Subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 9.7% of patients vs 2.8% of healthy controls (P=0.044). Autoimmune hyperthyroidism was observed in 1.3% of all patients.

Conclusions: The prevalence of newly diagnosed AITD and especially the subclinical hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis was significantly higher in female prolactinoma patients in comparison to age-matched healthy women. The influence of supraphysiologically increased prolactin levels on the immune response in patients with prolactinomas could be suggested as the most likely explanation for these findings. Based on these results we recommend routine screening for AITD (measurement of TSH, thyroid peroxydase antibodies and thyroid ultrasound examination) in all patients diagnosed with prolactinoma.

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