The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 121, Issue 2 , Pages 136-141, February 2008

Occurrence and Risk Factors for Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Patients with Atrophic Body Gastritis

  • Edith Lahner, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Marco Centanni, MD

      Affiliations

    • Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University “La Sapienza,” Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy.
    • ,
  • Giacoma Agnello, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Lucilla Gargano, MD

      Affiliations

    • Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University “La Sapienza,” Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy.
    • ,
  • Lucy Vannella, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Carlo Iannoni, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Gianfranco Delle Fave, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Bruno Annibale, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Second Medical School, Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Rome, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Bruno Annibale, MD, Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University “La Sapienza,” Ospedale Sant’Andrea, Via di Grottarossa 1035, Roma 00189, Italy.

Abstract 

Purpose

To investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for autoimmune thyroid disease in atrophic body gastritis patients.

Methods

Cross-sectional study on 401 consecutive outpatients with atrophic body gastritis. Diagnostic work-up of thyroid disease was completed in 319 atrophic body gastritis patients (225 women, median age 55.5 years [range 17-95 years]). Data on anagraphics, lifestyle, family history, and biochemical and histological items were obtained at baseline, and associations between atrophic body gastritis and autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid diseases were explored through descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 319 atrophic body gastritis patients, 169 (53%) had an associated thyroid disorder, and 89 (52.7%) of these were unaware of it. The thyroid disease was autoimmune in 128 patients (75.7%) and nonautoimmune in 41 patients. Logistic regression showed that risk factors for having autoimmune thyroid disease in atrophic body gastritis patients were female sex (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-12.1), presence of parietal cell antibodies (OR 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1-5.5), and presence of metaplastic atrophy (OR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.0-5.0).

Conclusions

Autoimmune thyroid disease and atrophic body gastritis occur in a closely linked fashion, suggesting that atrophic body gastritis patients should be investigated for an occult autoimmune thyroid disease, in particular women and those with positive parietal cell antibodies.

Keywords: Atrophic body gastritis, Autoimmune thyroid disease, Intrinsic factor antibodies, Parietal cell antibodies, Pernicious anemia

 

 This study was funded by grants from the Italian Ministry for University and Research PRIN 2005.

PII: S0002-9343(07)01093-5

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2007.09.025

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 121, Issue 2 , Pages 136-141, February 2008

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