Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a large series of sarcoidosis patients: Implications for autoimmune thyroid disease screening

Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a large series of sarcoidosis patients: Implications for autoimmune thyroid disease screening

Authors

  • Elias Giallafos Cardiac Unit, “Aeginition” Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • Evangelos Oikonomou 3rd Department of Cardiology, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Ourania Katsarou 3rd Department of Cardiology, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Lykourgos Kolilekas 7th Respiratory Clinic, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases; Greece
  • Evangelos Markozanes 7th Respiratory Clinic, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases, Greece
  • Kostas Zisimos Cardiac Unit, “Aeginition” Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 3rd Department of Cardiology, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • Gesthimani Seitaridi Cardiac Unit, “Aeginition” Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Maria Gazouli Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology Medical School , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Athens , Greece
  • Efrosyni Manali 2nd Department of Pulmunology, Attikon Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Spyros Papiris 2nd Department of Pulmunology, Attikon Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Gerasimos Siasios 3rd Department of Cardiology, “Sotiria” General Hospital of Athens for Chest Diseases, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece;
  • Ioannis Ilias Endocrinology Unit, “Hippocration” General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece;

Keywords:

sarcoidosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid autoantibodies, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, screening

Abstract

Background and aim: Sarcoidosis is a potentially multisystem granulomatous disease frequently associated with autoimmunity. Previous cohort studies have reported an elevated risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in sarcoidosis patients. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in a large, biopsy-proven sarcoidosis cohort and compare it to established general population rates, thereby highlighting the clinical significance of screening.

Methods: To explore the prevalence of AITD, we examined a cross-sectional cohort of 668 patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Serum Thyroperoxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) were quantified using standard electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (ECLIA). The prevalence of positive thyroid autoantibodies was compared to previously published regional healthy control rates (11.4%, n=1,108) using a two-sample Z-test for comparing two proportions.

Results: The overall prevalence of positive thyroid autoantibodies (TPOAb and/or TgAb) in the sarcoidosis cohort (n=668) was found to be 27.4% (95% CI: 21.7%–28.3%). This rate was significantly higher compared to the pooled historical control group prevalence of 11.4% (p < 0.001.

Conclusion: The prevalence of positive thyroid autoantibodies in patients with sarcoidosis is significantly elevated compared to the healthy population. This finding underscores the strong autoimmune linkage between sarcoidosis and AITD and supports the recommendation for systematic screening for thyroid autoimmunity in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis

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Published

27-03-2026

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Original Articles: Clinical Research

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Copyright (c) 2026 Elias Giallafos, Evangelos Oikonomou, Ourania Katsarou, Lykourgos Kolilekas, Evangelos Markozanes, Kostas Zisimos, Gesthimani Seitaridi, Maria Gazouli, Efrosyni Manali, Spyros Papiris, Gerasimos Siasios, Ioannis Ilias

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How to Cite

1.
Giallafos E, Oikonomou E, Katsarou O, Kolilekas L, Markozanes E, Zisimos K, et al. Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a large series of sarcoidosis patients: Implications for autoimmune thyroid disease screening. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 27 [cited 2026 Apr. 17];43(1):18306. Available from: https://mail.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/sarcoidosis/article/view/18306
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