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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2007; 13(8): 1292-1294
Published online Feb 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i8.1292
Published online Feb 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i8.1292
Simultaneous development of diabetic ketoacidosis and Hashitoxicosis in a patient treated with pegylated interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C
Aspasia S Soultati, Spyridon P Dourakis, Alexandra Alexopoulou, Melanie Deutsch, Athanasios J Archimandritis, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Medical School, Hippokration General Hospital, 114 Vas Sofias Avenues, Athens 11527, Greece
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Spyridon P Dourakis, 28 Achaias st, Athens 11523, Greece. spdour@med.uoa.gr
Telephone: +30-210-6918464 Fax: +30-210-6993693
Received: July 24, 2006
Revised: December 1, 2006
Accepted: January 12, 2007
Published online: February 28, 2007
Revised: December 1, 2006
Accepted: January 12, 2007
Published online: February 28, 2007
Abstract
Classical interferon-alpha has been shown to be correlated with the development of a variety of autoimmune disorders. A 38 year-old female patient developed simultaneously diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperthyroidism 5 mo following initiation of treatment with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. High titers of glutamic acid decarboxylase, antinuclear and thyroid (thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) antibodies were detected. Antiviral treatment was withdrawn and the patient was treated with insulin for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and propranolol for hyperthyroidism. Twelve months after cessation of pegylated interferon-α therapy the patient was euthyroid without any medication but remained insulin-dependent.
Keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; Pegylated interferon-alpha; Chronic hepatitis C