Correlation between abnormal thyroid function test and thyroid autoimmunity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This study was to analyze the correlation between abnormal thyroid function detection and thyroid autoimmune disease, so as to provide theoretical guidance for clinical diagnosis of thyroid autoimmune disease. Methods: The Chinese databases were searched with a combination of words "thyroid", "thyroid autoimmune disease", "thyroid function testing", "meta-analysis". The entire database was searched in English language databases with the search terms "thyroid", "thyroid autoimmune disease", "thyroid function test ", "meta-analysis". Review manager software was applied for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 8 articles were finally included. 4 articles reported the T3 level, showing P=0.95, I-2=0%, odds ratio (OR)=2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-7.25; 3 articles reported the T4 levels, showing P=0.81, I-2=0%, OR=2.16, 95% CI: 0.43-10.71; and 4 articles reported the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, showing P=0.48, I-2=0%, OR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.45-7.07. Discussion: After a systematic review of the literature, a significant difference was found in T3 and TSH levels between patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and those with a healthy thyroid, but the difference in T4 level was not significant.