Prognostic Significance of Subclinical Atherosclerosis of Arteries for Cardiovascular Risk Identification in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis

The aim of the investigation is to study the state of arteries of elastic and muscular type in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism to reveal potential factors of cardiovascular risk. Materials and methods. There have been studied three groups of patients, each group consisting of 29 females: 1st — control group, with no abnormalities, 2nd — with autoimmune thyroiditis and euthyroid status, 3rd — with autoimmune thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism. There have been estimated hormonal status (ТТГ, Т4, Т3), antibody level to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxydase, endothelial function and arterial stiffness.Results. In subclinical hypothyroidism there is significant decrease of endothelial function of brachial artery, with normal indices of non-endothelium dependent vasodilation; arterial wall stiffness and endothelial dysfunction increase, that is determined by a number of factors including the levels of T3, T4, thyrotropic hormone, lipid profile, and arterial pressure. The level of systemic arterial pressure can be of great concern in the increase of arterial stiffness if there are no marked changes of lipid spectrum. The obtained data indicate the negative effect of even minimal thyroid function on vessel condition that can contribute to the increase of cardiovascular risk along with lipid spectrum disorders in this group of patients.