Premature ovarian insufficiency and autoimmune profiles: a prospective case–control study

Abstract

Objective

Autoimmunity seems to be present in a large proportion of women with spontaneous premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Whether these women are at increased risk for autoimmune disease has not been determined to date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate a large series of antibodies in order to shed more light into the autoimmune risk of POI women.

Methods

In a prospective case–control study, blood samples from 66 patients with spontaneous POI and 66 healthy controls were analyzed for a series of autoimmune antibodies.

Results

POI women revealed significantly increased thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) (p = 0.045) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) (p = 0.002). At least one abnormal autoimmune parameter was present in 37.9% of POI women, compared to 18.2% in healthy controls (p = 0.045). A strong association between POI and increased TGAb (adjusted odds ratio 3.586, p = 0.028), increased TPOAb (adjusted odds ratio 7.496, p = 0.003) and any increased autoimmune parameter (adjusted odds ratio 3.189, p = 0.008) could be demonstrated in a binary logistic regression model.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of autoimmunity in POI women compared to a healthy young collective could be demonstrated. Thyroid antibodies were significantly increased in POI women. Our data highlight the increased risk for autoimmune diseases, especially for thyroid disorders.

摘要

目的: 自身免疫现象似乎在大部分患有自发性早发性卵巢功能不全(POI)的女性中存在。至今尚未确定这些女性是否有自身免疫性疾病增加的风险。因此, 本研究的目的是通过调查一系列抗体, 更深入地了解POI女性的自身免疫风险。

方法: 在一项前瞻性病例-对照研究中, 对66名自发性POI的患者和66名健康对照者的血样进行了一系列自身免疫抗体的分析。

结果: POI女性中甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)(p = 0.045)和甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)(p = 0.002)是明显增加的。与健康对照组相比, 37.9%的POI女性至少存在一种异常的自身免疫指标, 而健康对照组为18.2%(p = 0.045)。在二元逻辑回归模型中, POI与增加的TGAb(调整后的优势比为3.586, p = 0.028)、增加的TPOAb(调整后的优势比为7.496, p = 0.003)以及任何增加的自身免疫参数(调整后的优势比为3.189, p = 0.008)之间存在明显关联。

结论: 与健康年轻群体相比, POI女性中存在较高的自身免疫患病率。甲状腺抗体在POI女性中显著增加。我们的数据突显了自身免疫疾病风险的增加, 特别是甲状腺疾病。

Keywords:

• Premature ovarian insufficiency
• autoimmunity
• thyroid antibodies

Potential conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Source of funding

None.

Data availability statement

Data will be provided on reasonable request.