July - September 2023, Volume 19, Issue 3

Koc A, Guney I, Kizilarslanoglu MC, Gonulalan G, Deniz CD, Sackan F, Ergul F, Sozen M

Evaluation of the Association of Plasma Pentraxin-3 Levels with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and High-Sensitive CRP in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Acta Endo (Buc) 2023, 19 (3): 286-291
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2023.286

Context. Inflammation-related markers may predict cardiovascular diseases. Objective. In this study, it was aimed to assess pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels and its relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Design. Prospective cross-sectional study Methods. This study included 60 patients (aged 30-60 years) with subclinical hypothyroidism and 30 healthy volunteers as controls. The demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were performed in all patients and controls. In addition, sonographic carotid artery examination, thyroid functional tests, lipid profile, hsCRP, and PTX-3 levels of the participants were investigated. Results. The PTX-3, hsCRP levels and CIMT were higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism when compared to controls (p=0.008, p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The PTX-3 level was strongly correlated with hsCRP (r=0.865; p<0.001), but no such correlation was detected with CIMT (r=-0.255; p=0.50). In binominal logistic regression analysis, it was found that CIMT and serum uric acid levels were independent parameters associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. In ROC analysis, a cut-off value of >3.75 ng/mL for serum PTX-3 level predicted subclinical hypothyroidism with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 60.7% (AUC: 0.672, p=0.004). Conclusion. Showing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, the PTX-3 may be a helpful marker in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Subclinical hypothyroidism, pentraxin-3, high-sensitive CRP, carotid intima-media thickness.

Correspondence: Mehmet Sozen MD, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kocaeli University College of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey, E-mail: mehmetsozen07@gmail.com