Baseline characteristics of the smokers (HEV >2.9 μg/l) and non-smokers (HEV <2,9 μg/l) obtained in the initial examination
| Feature | Non-smokers (n=19) | Smokers (n=41) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| GD = Graves’ hyperthyoidism, TAO = thyroid associated ophthalmopathy, CAS = clinical activity score, HEV = N-2-hydroxyethylvaline, TSH = thyroid stimulating hormone, T4 = l-thyroxine, T3 = tri-iodothyronine, THS-R-Ab = TSH receptor antibodies). Median values, 5% and 95% confidence intervals are presented. | |||
| GD since (months) | 14 (0–60) | 16 (3–75) | NS |
| TAO since (months) | 5 (0–12) | 6 (3–12) | NS |
| CAS score | 3.6 (2–6) | 3.8 (2–6) | NS |
| Motility score | 0.9 (0–3) | 1.2 (0–3) | NS |
| Proptosis (mm) | 17.4 (11–22) | 17.6 (11–24) | NS |
| HEV level (μg/l) | 1.5 (0.4–2.7) | 5.6 (2.8–13.9) | p<0.001 |
| TSH (mU/l) | 0.1 (<0.1–19.8) | 0.08 (<0.1–6.7) | NS |
| free T4 (pmol/l) | 16.5 (10.2–23.2) | 16.0 (8.8–27.5) | NS |
| T3 (nmol/l) | 2.0 (1.4–2.6) | 2.4 (1.5–5.9) | NS |
| T4 (nmol/l) | 103.5 (73.2–163.2) | 112.0 (61.4–190.7) | NS |
| TSHRAb (U/l) | 14.0 (<5–145) | 14.0 (<5.0–141) | NS |