Original Scientific Articles

Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Authors

• • Daliborka Tadić Daliborka Tadić ORCID profile. (opens in new tab)
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka, ,Clinic of Neurology,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Sanja Grgić
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka,Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka, Clinic of Neurology,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Aleksandra Dominović Kovačević
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka,Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska,Clinic of Neurology,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Zoran Vukojević
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka,Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka,Clinic of Neurology,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Gabrijela Malešević
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka,Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka,Clinic of Endocrinology,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Valentina Soldat Stankovic
  • University clinical center of Republika Srpska,Banja Luka,Faculty of medicine, Banja Luka,Clinic of Endocrinology,Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction has been identified as one of the most common comorbidities in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid disease and vitamin D levels in patients with MS compared to the general population, and to assess the potential impact of thyroid status and vitamin D levels on the degree of physical disability and the prediction of multiple sclerosis.

Methods: A total of 127 participants were prospectively enrolled in the study: 59 (46.5%) were healthy controls, and 68 (53.5%) were patients diagnosed with MS. Both groups were assessed for serum levels of TSH, FT4, anti-TPO antibodies, and vitamin D. In the MS group, the physical disability was additionally evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Results: Overt hypothyroidism (p = 0.011) and vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.013) were significantly more frequent among MS patients. Mean FT4 levels (p = 0.025) and vitamin D levels (p = 0.018) were significantly lower in the MS group, whereas anti-TPO antibody levels were markedly higher in MS patients (p < 0.001). EDSS scores showed a negative correlation with vitamin D concentrations (p < 0.050). Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for MS, including the presence of severe hypovitaminosis D (p = 0.035), lower vitamin D concentrations (p = 0.003), and elevated anti-TPO levels (p = 0.042).

Conclusion: Evaluation of thyroid status, as well as vitamin D concentrations, should be considered a standard part of healthcare for pwMS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, thyroid gland, vitamin D

How to Cite: Tadić, D. , Grgić, S. , Dominović Kovačević, A. , Vukojević, Z. , Malešević, G. & Soldat Stankovic, V. (2025) “Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors”, Biomedicinska istraživanja. 16(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.59137/BII202502518T