Elevated blood viscosity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: hemorheological alterations and their correlation with thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
Author: Suk-Woo Yang
Base Hospital / Institution: Seoul st.Mary’s Hospital/Department of Ophthalmology
ePoster presentation
Abstract ID: 25-161
Purpose
This study investigates hemorheological alterations, specifically whole blood viscosity (BV), in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and explores its relationship with thyroid function parameters, particularly thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)
Methods
In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 70 TAO patients at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (July 2023 – September 2024) were included. BV was measured using a scanning capillary tube viscometer at shear rates of 300 s-1 (systolic blood viscosity, SBV) and 1 s-1 (diastolic blood viscosity, DBV). Clinical data, including TSI, free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid function states, and clinical activity score (CAS), were obtained from medical records. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between BV, TSI, and thyroid function. Patients positive for both SBV and DBV were stratified based on median BV increases (25 %).
Results
BV was elevated in most TAO patients, with 97.14 % showing increased SBV and 91.43 % exhibiting elevated DBV. Among patients positive for both (n = 64), mean SBV and DBV were 4.91 ± 0.89 cP and 14.80 ± 2.29 cP, exceeding reference limits by 28.96 ± 21.02% (SBV) and 25.23 ± 17.99% (DBV). Male patients exhibited higher absolute BV values and greater relative SBV increases (p < 0.05), while DBV increases were comparable between genders (p = 0.329). BV correlated significantly with TSI levels (all p < 0.05). Patients with simultaneous SBV and DBV increases ≥ 25% (n = 29) had significantly higher TSI levels (340.21 ± 98.02 %) than those with lower BV elevations (262.17 ± 129.61 %, p = 0.012).
Conclusion
TAO is characterized by systemic BV elevation, significantly correlating with TSI levels, independent of thyroid hormone status or CAS. These findings suggest a potential role of autoimmune activity in BV alterations and support BV as an adjunct marker in TAO assessment. Further studies are needed to validate these associations.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Jiyoung Emily | Lee | St.Mary’s Hospital |
