Histopathological Patterns and Early Postoperative Complications among Patients with Surgically Treated Thyroid Diseases at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania

Background: Thyroid diseases are among the leading endocrine disorders affecting a large proportion of people worldwide and show geographical variation in incidence and histopathological pattern related to age, sex, dietary and environmental factors. Histopathological patterns of surgically treated thyroid diseases play an important role in early diagnosis and management of these diseases. There is, however, limited published data regarding histopathological reports on thyroid disease in our local setting. This study aimed to determine the histopathological patterns and highlight early postoperative complications among patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). Methods: This was a longitudinal study involving all patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases seen at BMC over a period of 6 months from October 2019 to March 2020. Results: A total of 84 patients were studied. Females outnumbered males by a female to male ratio of 11:1. The median age of patients was 44 [IQR, 35 - 54] years old, the youngest was 14 years old and the oldest was 76 years old. Colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion accounting for 34 (44.7%) patients. Among the neoplastic lesions, follicular adenoma was the most commonly encountered benign pathologies (n = 16;21.1%), while papillary carcinoma was the most commonly encountered malignancy (n = 4;50%). Following thyroidectomy, 12 (14.3%) patients developed early complications, of which hemorrhage sometimes requiring blood transfusion was the leading intra/postoperative complications accounting for 4 (33.3%) patients. Other complications include temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 2 (16.7%), surgical site infection 2 (16.7%) and tracheomalacia, bronchospasm, thyroid abscess and respiratory obstruction in 1 (8.3%) patient each, respectively. In this study, malignant thyroid lesion (p Conclusion: This study demonstrated that colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion, and on the neoplastic category, follicular adenoma was the most common benign lesion, while papillary carcinoma was the most frequent malignant lesion.

Association of autoimmune thyroid disease with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its ultrasonic diagnosis and management

As a common hyperglycemic disease,type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is a complicated disorder that requires a lifelong insulin supply due to the immunemediated destruction of pancreaticβcells.Although it is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder,T1DM is often associated with multiple other autoimmune disorders.The most prevalent concomitant autoimmune disorder occurring in T1DM is autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD),which mainly exhibits two extremes of phenotypes:hyperthyroidism[Graves'disease(GD)]and hypothyroidism[Hashimoto's thyroiditis,(HT)].However,the presence of comorbid AITD may negatively affect metabolic management in T1DM patients and thereby may increase the risk for potential diabetes-related complications.Thus,routine screening of thyroid function has been recommended when T1DM is diagnosed.Here,first,we summarize current knowledge regarding the etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of both diseases.Subsequently,an updated review of the association between T1DM and AITD is offered.Finally,we provide a relatively detailed review focusing on the application of thyroid ultrasonography in diagnosing and managing HT and GD,suggesting its critical role in the timely and accurate diagnosis of AITD in T1DM.

Autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome complicated by various autoimmune diseases:A case report

BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)and primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)are two common clinical autoimmune liver diseases,and some patients have both diseases;this feature is called AIH-PBC overlap syndrome.Autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD)is the most frequently overlapping extrahepatic autoimmune disease.Immunoglobulin(IgG)4-related disease is an autoimmune disease recognized in recent years,characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in tissues.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old female patient was admitted with a history of right upper quadrant pain,anorexia,and jaundice on physical examination.Laboratory examination revealed elevated liver enzymes,multiple positive autoantibodies associated with liver and thyroid disease,and imaging and biopsy suggestive of pancreatitis,hepatitis,and PBC.A diagnosis was made of a rare and complex overlap syndrome of AIH,PBC,AITD,and IgG4-related disease.Laboratory features improved on treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid,methylprednisolone,and azathioprine.CONCLUSION This case highlights the importance of screening patients with autoimmune diseases for related conditions.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of 3 Screen Islet Cell Autoantibody in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

BACKGROUND In recent years,the emergence of multiplex technology that can simultaneously measure multiple anti-islet autoantibodies has become particularly valuable for the staging and early diagnosis of immune-mediated type 1 diabetes(T1D).While it has been established that 20%-30%of T1D patients suffer from autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD),there is limited available data regarding the presence of anti-islet autoantibodies in AITD patients.Among commercially available anti-islet autoantibodies,glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 autoantibodies(GADAs)are often the first marker measured in general clinical practice.AIM To investigate the frequency of anti-islet autoantibodies in AITD patients.METHODS Our study involved four hundred ninety-five AITD patients,categorized into three distinct groups:AITD with T1D(n=18),AITD with phenotypic type 2 diabetes(T2D)(n=81),and AITD without diabetes(n=396),and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to determine the frequencies of 3 Screen Islet Cell Autoantibody(3 Screen ICA),GADA,insulinoma-associated antigen-2 autoantibodies(IA-2As),and zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies(ZnT8As)within these groups.RESULTS The frequency of 3 Screen ICA in AITD patients with T1D,T2D,and those without diabetes were 88.9%,6.2%,and 5.1%,respectively,with no significant difference seen between the latter two groups.Notably,the frequency of 3 Screen ICA was 11.1%higher in AITD patients with T1D,1.3%higher in AITD patients with T2D,and 1.1%higher in AITD patients without diabetes compared to GADA,respectively.Furthermore,12.5%,20.0%,and 20.0%of the 3 Screen ICA-positive patients were negative for GADA.Additionally,1.3%of the AITD patients who tested negative for 3 Screen ICA in both the AITD with T2D and non-diabetic AITD groups were found to be positive for individual autoantibodies.Among the 3 Screen ICA-positive patients,there was a significantly higher proportion of individuals with multiple autoantibodies in AITD patients with T1D compared to those without diabetes(37.5%vs 5.0%,P<0.05).However,this proportion was similar to that in AITD patients with T2D(20.0%).Nevertheless,there was no significant difference in 3 Screen ICA titers between AITD patients with T1D and those without diabetes(436.8±66.4 vs 308.1±66.4 index).Additionally,no significant difference in 3 Screen ICA titers was observed between Graves’disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in any of the groups.CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that some AITD patients without diabetes exhibit 3 Screen ICA titers comparable to those in AITD patients with T1D.Thus,3 Screen ICA outperforms GADA in identifying latent anti-islet autoantibody-positive individuals among AITD patients.

Bilateral Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Loss and Recovery with Teprotumumab in Thyroid Eye Disease

Background: Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is known to alter tissues of the orbital cavity, including the optic nerve. However, its effect on measured global Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (gRNFL) is not well elucidated. This case evaluates the effect of teprotumumab on gRNFL in a patient with moderate TED. Observations: A 60-year-old female with controlled ocular hypertension and moderate TED received 8 standard IV teprotumumab infusions. Comprehensive ocular evaluations were performed pre-, during-, and post-treatment. Bilateral gRNFL thickness decreased (10 m OD;12 m OS) at 4 months post-treatment start, persisting at 8 months, but recovered at 20 months. Conclusions and Importance: Teprotumumab treatment in patients with TED led to a transient bilateral decrease in gRNFL thickness, which was restored to baseline levels with no adverse events reported. Monitoring gRNFL changes in teprotumumab-treated patients is crucial as gRNFL thinning indicates retinal ganglion cell damage. Teprotumumabs ability to dampen the IGF-IR inflammatory cascade may have reduced retinal inflammation, leading to recovery.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases and Helicobacter pylori: The correlation is present only in Graves's disease

AIM: To investigate the correlation between autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) and the prevalence of Cag-A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in stool samples. METHODS: We investigated 112 consecutive Caucasian patients (48 females and 4 males with Graves' disease and 54 females and 6 males with Hashimoto' s thyroiditis HT), at their first diagnosis of ATDs. We tested for H. pylori in stool samples using an amplified enzyme immunoassay and Cag-A in serum samples using an enzyme-linked immunoassay method (ELISA). The results were analyzed using the two-sided Fisher' s exact test and the respective odds ratio (OR) was calculated. RESULTS: A marked correlation was found between the presence of H. pylori (P ≤ 0.0001, OR 6.3) and, in particular, Cag-A positive strains (P ≤ 0.005, OR 5.3)in Graves' disease, but not in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where we found only a correlation with Cag-A strains (P ≤ 0.005, OR 8.73) but not when H. pylori was present. CONCLUSION: The marked correlation between H. pylori and Cag-A, found in ATDs, could be dependent on the different expression of adhesion molecules in the gastric mucosa.

Multifocal papillary thyroid cancer in Graves’ disease: A case report

BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is not commonly observed in patients with Graves’disease(GD).The presence of thyroid nodules in GD is not uncommon.However,a link bet-ween these two entities has been reported.Herein,we report the case of a patient with GD and thyroid cancer in Saudi Arabia,which has not been reported previously in our region.CASE SUMMARY A 26-year-old male patient with GD,receiving carbimazole for 2 years,presented to our hospital.His hyperthyroidism was controlled clinically and biochemically.On clinical examination,he was found to have a left-sided thyroid nodule.Ultra-sound revealed a 2.6 cm hypoechoic nodule with high vascularity.He was then referred for fine needle aspiration which showed that the nodule was highly suspicious for malignancy.The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and was diagnosed with multifocal classical micropapillary thyroid cancer.Post thyroid-ectomy he received radioactive iodine ablation along with levothyroxine replace-ment therapy.CONCLUSION Careful preoperative assessment and thyroid gland ultrasound might assist in screening and diagnosing thyroid cancer in patients with GD.

Autoimmune Thyroid, Celiac and Addison’s Diseases Related to HLA-DQ Types in Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes in Belgium

Objective: To define the prevalence of auto antibodies (Ab) to different organs in young patients with type 1 diabetes (type 1DM). Methods: Ab to thyroid, celiac and adrenal disease was analyzed in 831 type 1 DM patients. Results: Hundred twenty-three (14.8%) had positive thyroid Ab. The risk of developing thyroid Ab was increased in girls (HR 2.3;95% CI 1.6 - 3.2, p < 0.0001). Thirty-three (3.9%) patients had positive endomysium Ab (3.1% in girls and 3.5% in boys, p = NS). Adrenal Ab was detected in 5 patients. The DQA1*0301-DQB1*0301 haplotype was more prevalent in patients with thyroid Ab (p = 0.0281);DQA1*301-DQB1*302 and DQA1*501-DQB1*201 in patients with endo- mysium Ab (p = 0.0251 and p < 0.0001). All patients with adrenal Ab were DQA1*301-DQB1*302 positive. Conclusions: Type 1D patients should be screened annually for thyroid autoimmunity and celiac disease. The DQA1*0301-DQB1*0301 haplotype seems to confer susceptibility to thyroid autoimmunity, DQA1*301-DQB1*302 and DQA1*501-DQB1*201 to celiac disease and DQA1*301-DQB1*302 to adrenal autoimmunity.

An overview of the contemporary diagnosis and management approaches for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid carcinoma is a complex disease with several types,the most common being well-differentiated and undifferentiated.The latter,“undifferentiated carcinoma”,also known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma(ATC),is a highly aggr-essive malignant tumor accounting for less than 0.2%of all thyroid carcinomas and carries a poor prognosis with a median survival of 5 months.BRAF gene mutations are the most common molecular factor associated with this type of thyroid carcinoma.Recent advances in targeted biological agents,immuno-therapy,stem cell therapy,nanotechnology,the dabrafenib/trametinib com-bination therapy,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICI)and artificial intelligence offer novel treatment options.The combination therapy of dabrafenib and tra-metinib is the current standard treatment for patients with BRAF-V600E gene mutations.Besides,the dabrafenib/trametinib combination therapy,ICI,used alone or in combination with targeted therapies have raised some hopes for improving the prognosis of this deadly disease.Younger age,earlier tumor stage and radiotherapy are all prognostic factors for improved outcomes.Ultimately,therapeutic regimens should be tailored to the individual patient based on surveillance and epidemiological data,and a multidisciplinary approach is ess-ential.

Current status of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

In this editorial we comment on the article by Pavlidis et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Oncology.We focus on the recent contributions in the management of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma,highlighting the importance of surgery and radiotherapy as first line therapies in its management and the introduction of new systemic therapies beyond chemotherapy,focused on molecular alterations,an essential step in the diagnosis and included in clinical guidelines for the selection of the ideal treatment.In contrast to other neoplasms,immunotherapy,is still beginning in studies of this pathology with encouraging results.Therefore,multimodal management of the pathology together with new drugs seems to be the logical step to increase the survival of this neoplasm.

Immunohistochemical assessments of HLA-DR antigen expression in autoimmune thyroid diseases

40 thyroid specimens from Tru-cut needle biopsy and surgerywere analyzed by APAAP immunohistochemical technique.It was shown thatthe expression of HLA-DR antigen on thyroid follicular cells (TFC) wasinvolved in almost every patient.The degree of DR expression was signifi-cantly higher in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) than in Graves’ disease (GD)and in nontoxic goiter (NTG),The level of DR expression on TFC not onlycorrelated markedly with degree of MNC infiltration,but more so with degreeof DR expression on intrathyroidal infiltrates,suggesting that aberrant DR ex-pression in vivo may be related to the activation of intrathyroidal T cells.

Thyroid Disorders in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background: The rate of thyroid disorders is reported to be increased in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) than the normal population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalance of Thyroid disorders in a group of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Material and Methods: 146 IBD patients (113 UC and 33 CD patients) and 66 healthy control subjects were enrolled into the study. Serum free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), TSH and anti TPO levels of the patients were analyzed retrospectively and and compared with a control group. These cases were also investigated with thyroid ultrasound and nuclear (scintigraphy) imaging. Results: The mean age of IBD patients (76 women) was 42.9 ± 12.4 years. Among the control group 42 were female and their mean age was 40.9 ± 12.1 years. Thyroid gland disease was found in 14 (9.5%, 8 female, 6 male) of 146 IBD patients. The frequency of thyroid disorders has been found to be higher than the control group in patients with control group (14/146 vs. 1/66, p = 0.042). No statistically significant difference has been observed at the thyroid disorder rates between the UC and CD patients (11/113 vs. 3/33, p = 0.912). Hashimoto thyroiditis has been found at 4 (2.7%) of the IBD patients. Conclusion: In accordance with several works published in literature, we have found a higher rate of thyroid disease apperance at IBD patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and thyroid dysfunction:A systematic review

Thyroid hormones are totally involved in the regulation of body weight, lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance. Therefore it is anticipated that thyroid hormones may have a role in the pathogenesis of non alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and non alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). In this study, we reviewed the current literature on the association between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD/NASH. A search for English language medical literature reporting an association between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD/NASH in humans was conducted across PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus in August, 2013. Out of 140 studies initially identified through the search, 11 relevant articles were included in the final review. Thyroid dysfunctions in the form of overt or subclinical hypothyroidism are prevalent among patients with NAFLD/NASH. Hypothyroidism appears to be an independent risk factor for NAFLD/NASH in some studies; however, other newly published studies failed to find such anassociation. The results of the studies on the role of thyroid abnormalities in NAFLD/NASH are inconsistent, and further research is recommended to determine the relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD/NASH and the underlying mechanisms.

Radiation-induced inflammation and autoimmune diseases

Currently,ionizing radiation(IR)plays a key role in the agricultural and medical industry,while accidental exposure resulting from leakage of radioactive sources or radiological terrorism is a serious concern.Exposure to IR has various detrimental effects on normal tissues.Although an increased risk of carcinogenesis is the best-known long-term consequence of IR,evidence has shown that other diseases,particularly diseases related to inflammation,are common disorders among irradiated people.Autoimmune disorders are among the various types of immune diseases that have been investigated among exposed people.Thyroid diseases and diabetes are two autoimmune diseases potentially induced by IR.However,the precise mechanisms of IR-induced thyroid diseases and diabetes remain to be elucidated,and several studies have shown that chronic increased levels of inflammatory cytokines after exposure play a pivotal role.Thus,cytokines,including interleukin-1(IL-1),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and interferon gamma(IFN-α),play a key role in chronic oxidative damage following exposure to IR.Additionally,these cytokines change the secretion of insulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH).It is likely that the management of inflammation and oxidative damage is one of the best strategies for the amelioration of these diseases after a radiological or nuclear disaster.In the present study,we reviewed the evidence of radiation-induced diabetes and thyroid diseases,as well as the potential roles of inflammatory responses.In addition,we proposed that the mitigation of inflammatory and oxidative damage markers after exposure to IR may reduce the incidence of these diseases among individuals exposed to radiation.

Role of color Doppler in differentiation of Graves' disease and thyroiditis in thyrotoxicosis

AIM:To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis were included in the study. Clinical history was taken and physical examination and thyroid function tests were performed for all patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid glands of all patients were evaluated by gray scale ultrasonography for size, shape and echotexture. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid tissue was performed and spectral flow analysis of both inferior thyroid arteries was assessed. Technetium99 pertechnetate scanning of the thyroid gland was done for all patients. According to thyroid scintigraphy, the patients were divided into two groups:18 cases with Graves' disease and 8 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. All patients had suppressed thyrotropin. The diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was supported by the clinical picture and follow up of patients. RESULTS:Peak systolic velocities of the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in patients with thyroiditis (P = 0.004 in the right inferior thyroid artery and P = 0.001 in left inferior thyroid artery). Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography parameters demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 87.5% in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION:Color Doppler flow of the inferior thyroid artery can be used in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, especially when there is a contraindication of thyroid scintigraphy by radioactive material in some patients.

Cross-talk between the thyroid and liver:A new target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has been recognized as the most common liver metabolic disease,and it is also a burgeoning health problem that affects one-third of adults and is associated with obesity and insulin resistance now.Thyroid hormone(TH)and its receptors play a fundamental role in lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation in the liver.It is found that thyroid receptor and its isoforms exhibit tissue-specific expression with a variety of functions.TRβ1 is predominantly expressed in the brain and adipose tissue and TRβ2 is the major isoform in the liver,kidney and fat.They have different functions and play important roles in lipid metabolism.Recently,there are many studies on the treatment of NAFLD with TH and its analogues.We review here that thyroid hormone and TR are a potential target for pharmacologic treatments.Lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation can be regulated and reversed by TH and its analogues.

Preoperative localization and minimally invasive management of primary hyperparathyroidism concomitant with thyroid disease

The coexistence of thyroid diseases with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can present a challenge in the clinical diagnosis and management for these patients. This study aims to determine the frequency of coexisting thyroid gland lesions in a consecutive series patients with PHPT, and to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Twenty-two cases of a total of 52 PHPT patients who had synchronous thyroid and parathyroid pathology were surgically managed in this study. Thirteen patients had ipsilateral thyroid nodules, and 9 patients had thyroid nodules in contralateral or bilateral side. Seven patients underwent direct parathyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy via a mini-incision (about 3 cm), while other 15 procedures were converted to Kocher incision. Seventeen nodular goiter (32.7%), 2 thyroiditis (3.8%), 2 thyroid adenoma (3.8%) and 1 thyroid carcinoma (1.9%) coexisting with parathyroid adenoma were pathologically diagnosed. The sensitivity of preoperative ultra-sonography (US) and methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy for parathyroid lesions was 63.6% and 85.7%; and the overall positive predictive values for MIBI and US were 100% and 95.5% respectively. A high incidence of thyroid diseases that coexisted with PHPT in literatures was briefly reviewed. Our study illustrated the need for clinical awareness of concomitant PHPT and thyroid disease. A combination of US, computed tomography (CT) and MIBI scintigraphy would be recommended for preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid adenoma and for evaluation of thyroid lesions. Synchronous treatment of asso-ciated thyroid abnormalities is desirable, and open minimally invasive surgical approach with additional resection of isolated ipsilateral thyroid nodules is possible in some of these patients.

Papillary thyroid cancer and inflammatory bowel disease:Is there a relationship?

AIM:To formally study age of diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer(PTC) in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) patients and evaluate the prevalence of PTC in IBD patients compared to a control population.pothesis that patients with IBD are more likely to be diagnosed with PTC than a control population.A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the University of Pennsylvania Health System's electronic database.Outpatients from 1998-2009 were included in the search,and patients in the cohort were selected based on ICD-9 codes.Inclusion criteria included the diagnosis of Crohn's disease(CD) or ulcerative colitis(UC) and the concurrent diagnosis of thyroid cancer in comparison to a control population.Using these methods 912 patients with CD and 1774 with UC were compared to 1638 diverticulitis and 19 447 asthma controls.Statistics were performed using corrected chisquare analysis.The primary outcome for this study was the diagnosis of PTC.Approval to conduct this study was obtained by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Pennsylvania.RESULTS:The mean age was 47.5 years(range:18-102 years) and 66% patients were female.An analysis of variance model was used to compare the age of PTC diagnosis between the CD,UC,asthma and diverticulitis groups,and a statistically significant difference in age at PTC diagnosis was noted across all groups(F = 6.35,df = 3,P = 0.0006).The age of PTC diagnosis in CD patients was statistically significantly lower than UC,asthma,and diverticulitis patients(average PTC diagnosis age for CD 25,UC 49,asthma 45,diverticulitis 63).After covarying for sex and age in 2009,the difference in age at PTC diagnosis remained statistically significant(F = 4.13,df = 3,P = 0.0089).A total of 86 patients were diagnosed with PTC.Nine patients(0.5%) with UC were diagnosed with PTC.Patients with UC were not shown to be more likely to develop PTC [odds ratio(OR):1.544,95%CI 0.767-3.108] compared to asthma controls.Four patients(0.4%) with CD were diagnosed with PTC.Patients with CD were not shown to be more likely to develop PTC(OR:1.334,95%CI 0.485-3.672) compared to a control population with asthma.Nine patients(0.5%) with a history of diverticulitis were diagnosed with PTC.Patients with diverticulitis were not shown to be more likely to develop PTC(OR:1.673,95%CI 0.831-3.368) compared to asthma controls.Patients with CD or UC were not less likely to develop PTC compared to those with diverticulitis(CD OR:0.80,95%CI 0.25-2.60;UC OR:0.92,95%CI 0.37-2.33).None of the patients used immunosuppressant medications prior to the diagnosis of PTC(azathioprine,6-mercaptopurine,and methotrexate).CONCLUSION:There is a significant difference in age of diagnosis of PTC in patients with CD compared to patients with UC and the control populations studied.

Achalasia and thyroid disease

AIM: To investigate some possible etiologies of achalasia by screening patients with achalasia for some autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease. METHODS: We examined 30 known cases of achalasia (20 females, 10 males). Their age ranged 15-70 years. All of them were referred to our institute for treatment. Their sera were evaluated to detect some possible associations with rheumatoid disease, thyroid disease, inflammatory process, anemia, etc. RESULTS: Seven out of 30 patients (23%) had thyroid disease including four patients with hypothyroidism (13.3%), two patients with hyperthyroidism (6.6%), and one had only thyroid nodule but was in euthyroid state (3.3%). Two of these hypothyroid patients had no related clinical symptoms (subclinical) and two had clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism. There were no correlations between the intensity of thyroid diseases and the severity of achalasia symptoms. CONCLUSION: The etiology of achalasia is unknown although autoimmunity has been implicated and is supported by several studies. Thyroid disease presents concomitantly with achalasia in about one fourth of our patients who may have a common etiology.

Artifi cial neural networks in the recognition of the presence of thyroid disease in patients with atrophic body gastritis

AIM: To investigate the role of artifi cial neural networks in predicting the presence of thyroid disease in atrophic body gastritis patients. METHODS: A dataset of 29 input variables of 253 atrophic body gastritis patients was applied to artifi cial neural networks (ANNs) using a data optimisation procedure (standard ANNs,T&T-IS protocol,TWIST protocol). The target variable was the presence of thyroid disease. RESULTS: Standard ANNs obtained a mean accuracy of 64.4% with a sensitivity of 69% and a specifi city of 59.8% in recognizing atrophic body gastritis patients with thyroid disease. The optimization procedures (T&T-IS and TWIST protocol) improved the performance of the recognition task yielding a mean accuracy,sensitivity and specifi city of 74.7% and 75.8%,78.8% and 81.8%,and 70.5% and 69.9%,respectively. The increase of sensitivity of the TWIST protocol was statistically signifi cant compared to T&T-IS. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that artificial neural networks may be taken into consideration as a potential clinical decision-support tool for identifying ABG patients at risk for harbouring an unknown thyroid disease and thus requiring diagnostic work-up of their thyroid status.