CORRELATION OF HEMOSTASIS AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) at the hypothyroid stage is characterized by hypocoagulable changes and endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the correlations between hemostatic parameters and endothelial markers in AIT. A total of 70 patients with AIT (subclinical and overt hypothyroidism) and 20 healthy controls were examined. Hemostatic indices included activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin index (PTI), fibrinogen concentration, and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Endothelial dysfunction was assessed by serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). Results demonstrated significant prolongation of APTT (26.0 → 46.1 s, p<0.001), reduction in PTI (103.5% → 90.2%, p<0.001), and decreased fibrinogen levels (3.4 → 2.2 g/L, p<0.001). vWF activity also declined (85.3 → 59.0 IU/dL, p<0.001). Conversely, endothelial markers were elevated: ET-1 increased from 2.1 → 5.9 pg/mL, and sICAM-1 from 6.1 → 9.7 ng/mL (p<0.001).