Rheumatoid and thyroid autoantibodies were found in a small number of subjects, including antinuclear antibody (3/58, 5%), anti-Sjogren syndrome A antibody (SSA) (2/58, 3%), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (aTPO) and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies (aTG) (5/58, 9%). This evidence concerns the gene TPO and thyroid gland disorder.