Presence of Anti-Thyroid Antibodies Correlate to Worse Outcome of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis with the prevalence of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATAbs).

Methods: The clinical data of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients admitted to Xuanwu Hospital from January 2012 to August 2018 was prospectively analyzed, and the patients were followed up for 24 months.

Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled, of which 34.2% (41/120) were positive for ATAbs. The antibodies were more frequent in patients with severe disease compared to the non-severe group (51.4% vs. 25.6%, P=0.008). In addition, prevalence of ATAbs correlated with a higher incidence of disturbed consciousness, autonomic dysfunction, central hypoventilation and mechanical ventilation. The ATAbs-positive patients were also more likely to receive intravenous gamma immunoglobulin and immunosuppressor compared to the ATAbs-negative cases (P=0.006; P=0.035). Although the presence of ATAbs was associated with longer hospital stays and worse prognosis at 6 months (P=0.006; P=0.038), it had no impact on long-term patient prognosis. Positive status of anti-thyroglobulin antibody was an independent risk factor for worse prognosis at 6 months [odds ratio (OR)= 3.907, 95% CI: 1.178-12.958, P=0.026].

Conclusion: ATAbs are prevalent in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, especially in severe cases, and correlate with poor prognosis and impaired short-term neurological recovery.

Keywords: anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis; anti-thyroglobulin antibody; anti-thyroperoxidase antibody; critically ill; outcome.