Rabia Anjum, Faria Altaf, Raffad, Zahida Rani, Nabeela Shahzadi, Wajieha Saeed.
To determine frequency of Anti-TPO antibodies in vitiligo patients.
J Pak Assoc Derma May ;29(1):114-9.

Background Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder due to destruction of melanocytes. An increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease has been described in these patients.   Objective To determine frequency of Anti-TPO antibodies in vitiligo patients.   Materials and Methods   A cross-sectional survey conducted at 3 different hospitals for 6months. 77 patients were enrolled. All the variables were recorded in proforma. Blood samples were collected under aseptic conditions and were sent to one laboratory for thyroid function tests and anti-TPO antibody test by ELISA.   Results In this study abnormal TFTs were seen in 7(9.1%) patients. Among these patients 2(28.6%) were diagnosed as hyperthyroid and 5(71.4%) were diagnosed as hypothyroid. Anti-TPO antibodies were positive in 11(14.3%) patients only. Frequency of Anti-TPO antibodies were significantly higher in younger patients i.e. 16-30 years (63.3%).   Conclusion Results of this study showed low frequency of Anti-TPO antibodies positivity in vitiligo patients. A significant association was seen between Anti-TPO antibodies with age and hypothyroidism. Patients with anti-TPO antibodies should be followed-up annually, because thyroid dysfunction can develop much later. Both vitiligo and thyroid disorders are fairly common in our population, and early screening and diagnosis help to reduce the morbidity associated with thyroid dysfunction.  

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