Hepatic Dysfunction Related to Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody in Patients with Graves’ Disease

Abstract

Background: Hepatic dysfunction is a common phenomenon in patients with Graves’ disease (GD). However, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. We aimed to determine the correlation between the thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) and liver biochemical abnormalities in patients with GD.

Methods: A total of 236 consecutive unrelated inpatients with newly diagnosed and untreated GD were included. Clinical characteristics (age, gender, disease duration) were collected. The liver biochemical values were tested and serum thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid antibodies and thyroid volumes were also evaluated. The patients were divided into hepatic dysfunction (HDF) and normal hepatic function (NHF) groups according to liver biochemical values.

Results: We found that 77.9% untreated patients with GD had at least one liver function test abnormality. The levels of TRAb in patients of HDF group were significantly increased compared with those in patients of NHF group, P<0.001. Linear regression suggested that TRAb has significant correlation with AST, ALP, γ-GTP, TB and DB. Logistic regression concluded that GD patients with high levels of TRAb had a greater possibility of developing liver biochemical abnormalities (OR=1.069, 95% CI 1.019–1.113).

Conclusions: Hepatic dysfunction is common in patients with GD, and elevation of TRAb may contribute to hepatic dysfunction in patients with GD.

Key words

Graves’ disease (GD) - hepatic dysfunction - thyrotropin receptor antibody(TR-Ab)

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