The Correlation Between Thyroid Status, Family History, and Melasma Severity: A Cross-Sectional Dermatological Analysis

Noor-Aldeen Jamal Hasan Al-Ansare; Tin Htay Khain

doi:10.54133/ajms.v10i2.2820

Authors

Noor-Aldeen Jamal Hasan Al-Ansare Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3715-8082
Tin Htay Khain Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5882-1192

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v10i2.2820

Keywords:

Anti-TPO, Family history, Melasma, mMASI, Thyroid autoimmunity

Abstract

Background: Although family history is well recognized as a major predisposing factor in melasma, the extent to which hereditary background correlates with disease severity or underlying thyroid function abnormalities remains unclear. Objective: To assess the influence of family history on the severity of melasma and to determine if thyroid hormone levels or thyroid autoimmunity vary between women with and without a familial history of melasma. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 women diagnosed with facial melasma, who were stratified into two groups: those with a positive family history (n=10) and those without a family history (n=40). All participants underwent clinical evaluation using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI). Laboratory assessment included serum FT3, FT4, TSH, and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies measured via standardized immunoassays. Results: The mean mMASI scores were slightly lower in patients with a family history compared to those without, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (12.9±1.5 vs. 13.5±0.8; p=0.10). Thyroid hormone levels (FT3, FT4, TSH) showed no significant differences between groups. However, anti-TPO antibody levels were significantly higher in the non-familial group (26.0±7.2 vs. 20.3±6.0 IU/mL; p=0.02), suggesting increased thyroid autoimmunity in patients without hereditary predisposition. Conclusions: Family history did not significantly influence melasma severity or thyroid hormone levels. However, elevated anti-TPO titers among women without a family history indicate a potential autoimmune component in non-hereditary melasma.

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