Onset of ulcerative colitis after thyrotoxicosis: a case report and review of the literature

L. Laterza, A.C. Piscaglia, S. Lecce, A. Gasbarrini, M.L. Stefanelli

Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Rome, Italy. laterza.lucrezia@gmail.com

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• Gastroenterology

OBJECTIVE: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that could be triggered by acute stressful events, such as gastrointestinal infections or emotional stress.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reported the case of the onset of an ulcerative colitis after a thyrotoxicosis crisis and reviewed the literature about the relationships between thyroid dysfunctions and ulcerative colitis.

RESULTS: A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after her third thyrotoxicosis crisis, two years after the diagnosis of Graves’ disease. In this case, thyrotoxicosis acted as a trigger for ulcerative colitis onset.

CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthyroidism could be a trigger able to elicit ulcerative colitis in susceptible patients.

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