CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA ACCOMPANIED BY THYROID GLAND DISORDERS

Abstract

To reveal clinical and immunological features of bronchial asthma (BA) combined with thyroid gland pathology, sixty patients have been examined in five equal groups, i.e., BA; hypothyroidism; thyrotoxicosis; BA + hypothyroidism; BA + thyrotoxicosis. We assessed serum IgE, IgG levels, as wekk as IL-4/IFNγ, IL-4/IL-1, and IL-1/IL-6 ratios. Clinical exacerbations were observed more frequently in BA + hypothyroidism, as compared with BA patients. Remissions of BA were more prolonged in BA patients, than in groups with BA + hypothyroidism, or BA + hyperthyroidism. Serum IgE levels were much increased in the group with BA + hyperthyroidism. The lowest IL-4/IFNγ ratio was revealed in BA + hypothyroidism group versus BA and BA + hyperthyroidism groups. IL-4/IL-1 ratio was higher in BA + hyperthyroidism group, than in BA and BA + hypothyroidism. Co-existence of hyperthyroidism with BA seems to enhance Th2 immune reactions dominating in BA, whereas concomitant hypothyroidism may cause a reduction of Th2 immune response.

Keywords

• бронхиальная астма, гипотиреоз
• тиреотоксикоз
• интерлейкин
• иммуноглобулин e