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Horm Metab Res 2021; 53(07): 453-460
DOI: 10.1055/a-1510-9100
Endocrine Care

Age Moderates the Impact of TRAbs on Thyroid Hormones and Hepatic Function in Patients with Graves’ Disease

Kai Guo‡
1   The Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
,
Hongwei Ling‡
2   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
,
Xiaoyan Zhou
1   The Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
,
Changjiang Ying 
2   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
› Author Affiliations Funding Information The study was supported by the Certificate of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant (No. 2019M651970), Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institution of China (No. 17KJD310005), Jiangsu Province graduate student innovation project (No. KYCX19-2214), and Xuzhou medical university research project (No. 2017KJ03).
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Abstract

Thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) play a significant role in the course of hepatic dysfunction (HDF) in patients with Graves’ disease (GD). However, few studies have considered the factors that influence the relationships among TRAbs, thyroid hormone levels, and hepatic function in subjects with newly diagnosed GD. Here we investigated the associations of TRAbs with thyroid hormones and hepatic function and assessed potential factors that can influence these associations among patients with GD. A total of 368 patients newly diagnosed with GD were collected in this cross-sectional study. Patients who had received antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery were excluded. Levels of TRAbs and thyroid hormones and hepatic function were recorded. Linear and binary logistic regression analysis models were applied to investigate associations among these variables after adjusting for confounding characteristics. There was a significant difference in TRAbs indices between the HDF and normal hepatic function groups (p <0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the relationship between TRAbs and thyroid hormones was nonlinear, showing a curve with an initial positive slope and a subsequent flattening (p <0.05). Higher TRAbs were associated with HDF [odds ratio (OR) 1.036, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.018–1.053 per 1-IU/l increase]. These associations were modified by age, but not by gender, smoking status, Graves’ orbitopathy, thyroid-peroxidase antibody levels, or thyroglobulin antibody levels. In younger patients, increasing TRAbs were correlated with higher thyroid hormones and HDF (OR 1.034, 95% CI 1.017–1.052) per1-IU/l increase). In older patients, TRAbs were not correlated with thyroid hormones or HDF (OR 1.024, 95% CI 0.993–1.056) per 1-IU/l increase. Age can affect the impact of TRAbs on thyroid hormone levels and hepatic function in GD. TRAb measurement can have good predictive value in younger patients.

Key words

Graves’ disease - thyrotropin receptor antibodies - thyroid hormone - hepatic function


Publication History

Received: 18 February 2021

Accepted after revision: 12 May 2021

Article published online:
19 July 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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