Context: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a transient inflammatory disease that occurs often after an upper respiratory tract infection. Permanent hypothyroidism ratio is reported in 5-26% of the SAT patients.
Objective: In this study, we tried to compare the treatment options on permanent hypothyroidism in our SAT patients.
Design: It is a retrospective study. The medical records of SAT patients between 2010 and 2015 were analysed.
Subjects and methods: The medical records of 81 patients were analysed for demographic data, laboratory and clinical course, treatment and 1 year outcome. 81 patients were classified in steroid (n=29), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (n=33) and steroid+NSAID (n=19) groups.
Results: Male/female ratio was similar and female domination was demonstrated in all groups. In the steroid and NSAID groups the pretreatment thyroid function tests were diagnosed as hyperthyroidism. In the steroid+NSAID group they were not diagnosed as hyperthyroidism in the beginning. In all groups the thyroid function tests were all in normal levels (p>0.05) one year later. In all groups the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were increased in the pretreatment period and decreased with the treatment. In total, right lobe involvement of thyroiditis was more detected (40/81 (49%)) (p=0.018). Permanent hypothyroidism observed in steroid, NSAID, and steroid+NSAID groups were 7/29 (24%), 5/33 (15%), 3/19 (16%) respectively (p>0.05).
Conclusion: In this study, treatment drug option did not affect the permanent hypothyroidism one year after in our SAT patients.
Keywords: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; permanent hypothyroidism; steroid; subacute thyroiditis.