B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) Correlated with Serum Vitamin D Values – Possible Makers with a Prognostic Role in Thyroid Autoimmune Diseases

Objectives: Finding correlations between vitamin D deficiency and thyroid autoimmune pathology in a group of patients from Dobrogea, the non-endemic geographical area, with a high degree of sunshine.An important factor in maintaining immunological balance is represented by an adequate level of vitamin D, multiple studies suggesting that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases. Recent studies analyze the possible effect of this factor in promoting autoimmunity, the serum level of BAFF being often increased among patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Methods : The study included 80 patients with autoimmune thyroid pathology, from Dobrogea area. The entire study group (n = 80) was divided according to the established diagnosis into two study groups: Group 1 – including 62 patients with CAT and Group 2 – including 18 patients with GD. Results: Vitamin D study average values of 25-OH-vitamin D found statistically significant differences between vitamin D values in the two groups (p = 0.018). Determination of BAFF serum levels among patients with CAT and GD obtained a lower mean value of BAFF for the CAT group compared to GD group. The evolution of BAFF serum level related to the serum levels of the antithyroid antibodies ATPO and ATG was also analyzed. For patients with GD, BAFF was not correlated with the value of ATPO or ATG, but in the patients with CAT, a correlation was found between the value of BAFF and the level of ATG but not with ATPO level. Conclusions: The study analyzed BAFF serum levels in patients with CAT and respectively GD as a result of that BAFF acts as a stimulatory factor of immunoglobulin production in autoimmune diseases. These results require clarifying the role and therapeutic benefits of supplementing vitamin D intake in patients with autoimmune diseases.