J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Mar;43(3):431-436.

Correlation between the Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy and Thyroid Function State

• Rhim WI
• Choi SS
• Lew H
• Yun YS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and the correlation between TAO and the thyroid function state.
METHODS
40 patients with TAO were selected among 2,000 patients of thyroid disease between September 1, 1995 and December 31, 2000, and classified by the Van Dyk's ''NOSPECS and RELIEF'' classification. T3, T4, TSH and Thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) levels were examined before and after treatment of TAO and thyroid disease. Relationship between TAO and thyroid function state was evaluated by using paired t-test and logistic regression test.
RESULTS
The prevalence of TAO was about 2% in thyroid disease patients. Clinical manifestations of TAO were eyelid retraction (75%), exophthalmos (62.5%), soft tissue periorbital swelling (42.5%), diplopia and extraocular muscle restriction (20%), keratopathy (2.5%) and optic neuropathy (2.5%). Thyroid function state decided by T3, T4 and TSH level had no correlation with the improvement of TAO (p<0.05). But, TSAb level in improved TAO group (n=8) significantly decreased after treatment of TAO and thyroid disease (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid function restoration may not help to improve the course of TAO. But, low TSAb level can be thought as a significant marker in improvement of TAO.

Keyword

Thyroid disease; Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy; Thyroid stimulating antibody

MeSH Terms

Classification
Diplopia
Exophthalmos
Eyelids
Graves Ophthalmopathy*
Humans
Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating
Logistic Models
Optic Nerve Diseases
Prevalence
Thyroid Diseases
Thyroid Gland*
Troleandomycin
Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating
Troleandomycin