Clinical significance of IgG4 related Hashimoto thyroiditis / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the serum IgG4 level in patients with IgG4-related Hashimoto thyroiditis(IgG4 HT),and its clinical implications.Methods:The serum IgG4 was determined in 129 patients with HT using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and classified into two subgroups based on IgG4 levelIgG4 HT group(IgG4≥135 mg/dl)and non-IgG4 HT group(IgG4<135 mg/dl).And the levels of serum thyroid hormone and thyroid peroxidase antibodies(TPOAb)and thyroglobulin antibodies(TgAb)were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay.Ultrasonic imaging of the thyroid gland were detected.Results:The TPOAb levels correlated significantly with both serum IgG4 levels(r=0.437 1,P=0.012 7)and IgG4/IgG ratios(r=0.396 2,P=0.023 5)in the patients with HT.Compared with that of non-IgG4 HT group(n=97),IgG4 HT group(n=32)①The mean age was lower(P=0.029 3);②Higher levels of serum TPOAb(P=0.002 1)and TgAb(P=0.012 8);③Ultrasound imagingthe more obvious thyroid nodule(P=0.022 6);④Logistic regression analysis showed that serum IgG4 and TPOAb were the risk factor for thyroid nodules(OR=1.672,P=0.021;2.549,P=0.014 ).Conclusion: IgG4 HT patients existed corresponding clinical characteristics.For the HT-patients with elevated serum IgG4,thyroid function and morphology should were more closely monitored.