Related factors of hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction in Graves′ disease

Objective To investigate the related factors of hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction in Graves′ disease. Methods A total of 254 patients with Graves′ disease hospitalized in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled and divided into two groups based on liver function: Graves′ disease with abnormal liver function group(group A, n=159), and normal hepatic function group(group B, n=95). The basal metabolic rate(BMR), weight of thyroid gland, FT3, FT4, thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH), anti-thyrotrophin receptor antibody(TRAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb) were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between thyroid weight, BMR, FT3, FT4, TRAb and hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction. Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of hyperthyroidism-related liver function. Results The weight of thyroid gland, BMR, FT3, FT4, TRAb and TPOAb in group A were higher than those in group B, while TSH in group A was lower than that in group B (t or z=-4.720--2.276, all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction was positively related to the weight of thyroid gland, BMR, FT3, FT4 and TRAb(r=0.157-0.270, all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that FT3 (OR=1.052, 95% CI: 1.001-1.105) and BMR (OR=1.019, 95% CI: 1.006-1.033) were the independent risk factors for hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction in Graves′ disease (all P<0.05). Conclusion The risk factors of hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction in Graves′ disease include weight of thyroid gland, BMR, FT3, FT4 and TRAb. BMR and FT3 are the independent risk factors for hyperthyroidism-related liver dysfunction in Graves′ disease. Key words: Graves′ disease; Hyperthyroidism; Liver dysfunction; Thyroid hormone