Autoimmune diseases and thyroid dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis
The literature review deals with various aspects of the concurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease). It discusses the prevalence, genetic predisposition, similarity of pathogenesis and clinical symptoms, as well as the ability of organ-specific autoantibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies) and hypothyroidism to affect the course of RA and the risk of cardiovascular complications.