The association between thrombin-activated fibrinolytic inhibitor levels
and risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion based on anti-thyroid
antibodies status: a retrospective case-control study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the
relationship between plasma levels of thrombin-activated fibrinolytic
inhibitor (TAFI) and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in varying
conditions of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA), and to provide appropriate
recommendations for RSA prevention. Design: Retrospective
case-control study. Setting:Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University.
Sample: There were 1068 subjects in this retrospective study,
including 402 RSA patients and 666 controls. Methods: Collected
case records from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from
January 2020 to March 2022 for comparative analysis between cases and
controls. Main outcome measures: Patients’ socio-demographic
factors, plasma TAFI levels, ATA status, including thyroid peroxidase
antibodies (Anti-TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Anti-TG), thyroid
function, coagulation function, and so on. Multivariate adjusted
conditional logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models
were applied to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) between plasma TAFI levels and the risk of RSA under
different ATA conditions according to the normal reference range of
plasma TAFI levels (24-35ug/ml). Results: Compared to normal
TAFI levels (as reference), low TAFI levels (<24ug/ml) had a
significantly increased risk of RSA, which was shown in the Anti-TPO
positive group (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.221-3.785; P=0.008), Anti-TPO
negative group (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.032-1.98; P = 0.032), and Anti-TG
positive group (OR, 2.215; 95% CI, 1.265-3.878; P = 0.005). In
addition, the RSC model showed that plasma TAFI levels showed a linear
negative dose relationship with the risk of RSA. Conclusions:
The study indicates that pregnant women with plasma TAFI levels below
the normal range, especially those who are ATA positive, are at a higher
risk of developing RSA. These findings suggest the need to develop
prevention recommendations.