RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels for the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with a combined course of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical hypothyroidism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 93 patients (mean age 61,71±0,87 years) with the combined course of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical hypothyroidism were examined. Parameters of lipid, carbohydrate metabolism, plasma insulin, VEGF (by ELISA), blood pressure levels were measured. Observation period was12 months. RESULTS: Results: VEGF levels in the patients group were significantly higher than in the controls (482,77±21,34 pg/ ml vs. 121,84±11,66 pg/ ml, p <0,001). The results of the ROC analysis made it possible to propose the level of VEGF ≥ 512.31 pg/ml as an identifier for the cardiovascular complications development in patients with studied comorbidity. VEGF levels in patients who developed cardiovascular complications during observation period were significantly higher the VEGF threshold levels (650,76 ± 52,04 pg / ml vs. 512,31 pg/ml, respectively, p = 0,038) and VEGF levels in patients without cardiovascular complications were significantly lower the threshold values (420,47± 21,67 pg/ml vs. 512,31 pg/ml, respectively, p = 0,047). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Determination of the vascular endothelial growth factor plasma level allows to evaluate the long-term prognosis in comorbid course of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical hypothyroidism.