Orbital inflammatory reactions more advanced in smokers with Graves’ hyperthyroidism

Compared to individuals with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) who do not smoke, smokers have more advanced orbital inflammatory reactions, according to a study.

Researchers examined 30 patients with GO and 10 patients with upper eyelid signs as the only manifestation, of which half were smokers and half were non-smokers. Serum levels of eye muscle (CSQ, Fp2, G2s) and orbital connective tissue type XIII collagen (Coll XIII) antibodies were measured in all patients.

There were significantly greater mean serum antibody levels in smokers than in non-smokers in patients with ophthalmopathy but not in those with upper eyelid signs only.

There was a significant correlation between the number of packs smoked per year with mean Coll XIII antibody level.

Reference

Lahooti H, Champion B, Wall JR. Relationship between smoking and serum levels of eye muscle and orbital connective tissue antibodies in patients with Graves ophthalmopathy. Endocrine. 2023;doi: 10.1007/s12020-023-03335-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36905575.