Objective: To study the clinical and immunological features of dermatomyositis (DM) complicated with thyroid dysfunction.
Methods: Between 1993 and 2008, dermatomyositis was diagnosed in 70 patients referred to the Department of Rheumatology of Peking University People's Hospital. Clinical and laboratory data including antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin, protein electrophoresis, and serum lipid levels, etc. were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: 48% of DM patients had their thyroid function impaired, most of whom suffered from subclinical hypothyroidism. DM patients with thyroid dysfunction were more likely to have higher levels of CRP and IgG as well as higher incidences of fever and erythra.
Conclusion: Subclinical thyroid dysfunction with DM is not rare. Common immunological background may be responsible for this phenomenon and it should not be neglected.