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Graves’ orbitopathy risk linked to cholesterol levels
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In adults with Graves’ disease, the risk for Graves’ orbitopathy may be associated with increased levels of total and LDL cholesterol, according to findings.
Michele Marinó, MD, of the department of clinical and experimental medicine, endocrinology unit I at the University of Pisa and University Hospital of Pisa in Italy, and colleagues evaluated data on 250 adults with Graves’ disease with (n = 133; mean age, 51.8 years; 109 women) or without (n = 117; mean age, 45 years; 94 women) Graves’ orbitopathy to determine whether an association exists between high cholesterol and Graves’ orbitopathy. Participants received radioiodine treatment at the University of Pisa from 2016 to June 2017.
Multivariable analyses were conducted to determine the relation between the presence and Graves’ orbitopathy and serum lipids to correct for age, smoking, thyroid autoantibodies and duration of hyperthyroidism. Age, smoking and thyroid autoantibodies did not affect the findings, but a correlation was observed between presence of Graves’ orbitopathy and total (P = .01) and LDL cholesterol (P = .02) after adjustment for duration of hyperthyroidism.
Participants were divided into two groups based on duration of hyperthyroidism (< 44 months, n = 165; 44 months, n = 85) based on the correlation between Graves’ orbitopathy and cholesterol after adjustment for hyperthyroidism. In the short-duration group, both total (P = .01) and LDL cholesterol (P = .008) levels were higher in participants with Graves’ orbitopathy compared with those without; no differences were observed for HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. In the short-duration group, the risk for Graves’ orbitopathy was significantly increased in participants with total cholesterol greater than 191 mg/dL (RR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.01-2.14) and LDL cholesterol greater than 118.4 mg/dL (RR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01-1.62) compared with participants with lower levels.
No differences in serum lipids were observed in participants with hyperthyroidism for at least 44 months with or without Graves’ orbitopathy.
“Our findings may have important clinical implications as they may unravel a new field in [Graves’ orbitopathy] management and prompt the necessity for further studies aimed at investigating if lowering cholesterol levels is associated with improved [Graves’ orbitopathy] outcomes,” the researchers wrote. – by Amber Cox
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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