Jiunn-Diann Lin1, Yuan-Hung Wang2, Wen-Fang Fang3, Chia-Jung Hsiao4, Amarzaya Chagnaadorj4, Yuh-Feng Lin5, Kam-Tsun Tang6, Chao-Wen Cheng7. 1. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. 2. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medical Research, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC. 3. Department of Family Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC. 4. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. 5. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Division of Nephrology Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC. 6. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. 7. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: ccheng@tmu.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association of serum B-lymphocyte activating factor (BAFF) levels with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in a Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 221 patients with AITD [170 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 51 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT)], and 124 healthy controls. Serum BAFF levels, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibody (TAb) levels, including of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHRAb), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO Ab), and antithyroglobulin antibody (ATA), were measured at baseline. RESULTS: Serum BAFF levels were higher in the GD, HT, and AITD groups than in the control group. Significant correlations were observed between BAFF and TSHRAb levels (r=0.238, p=0.018), between BAFF and Anti-TPO Ab levels (p=0.038), and between BAFF and ATA titers (p=0.025) in women but not in men. In addition, serum BAFF levels were significantly associated with free thyroxine (r=0.430, p=0.004) and TSHRAb (r=0.495, p=0.001) levels in women with active GD but not in those with inactive GD. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BAFF levels are increased in GD, HT, and AITD. The correlation between serum BAFF and TAb levels exhibits a dimorphic pattern, particularly in active GD.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association of serum B-lymphocyte activating factor (BAFF) levels with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in a Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 221 patients with AITD [170 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 51 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT)], and 124 healthy controls. Serum BAFF levels, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibody (TAb) levels, including of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHRAb), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO Ab), and antithyroglobulin antibody (ATA), were measured at baseline. RESULTS: Serum BAFF levels were higher in the GD, HT, and AITD groups than in the control group. Significant correlations were observed between BAFF and TSHRAb levels (r=0.238, p=0.018), between BAFF and Anti-TPO Ab levels (p=0.038), and between BAFF and ATA titers (p=0.025) in women but not in men. In addition, serum BAFF levels were significantly associated with free thyroxine (r=0.430, p=0.004) and TSHRAb (r=0.495, p=0.001) levels in women with active GD but not in those with inactive GD. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BAFF levels are increased in GD, HT, and AITD. The correlation between serum BAFF and TAb levels exhibits a dimorphic pattern, particularly in active GD.