A case of rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism: Probable association with alpha interferon treatment

Abstract

Interferon's (INF) are cytokines that are secreted by many cells. They have certain actions on the immune system with immunoregulatory effect. Autoimmune reactions due to the immunoregulatory actions of interferon's are rarely reported but can cause serious clinical problems. Here we will discuss about a patient who had developed active rheumatoid arthritis like disease and thyroiditis while she was on interferon $alpha$ 2b therapy due to adenocarcinoma of rectum.