J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2011 Mar;52(3):255-260. 10.3341/jkos.2011.52.3.255.

A Study of Factors Related to the Course of Graves' Ophthalmopathy

• Kim JH
• Lee TS

• KMID: 2214287
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2011.52.3.255

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the risk factors related to the course of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).
METHODS
This is a retrospective study of 125 patients who were referred to our clinic and diagnosed with GO from March 2006 to August 2008. Ophthalmic examinations and a thyroid function test including TSI were performed at the time of diagnosis and every 3 months after diagnosis. All patients were classified as having a mild or severe course of GO, according to Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and NOSPECS classifications.
RESULTS
This statistical analysis of each group revealed that female sex (p = 0.04), age (p = 0.0004), smoking (p = 0.003), and high TSI level (p = 0.009) were significant factors for severe course of GO at the time of diagnosis. TSI levels at each of the 3 visits during the follow-up were significantly higher in patients with a severe course of GO, as compared to patients with a mild course of GO (first visit: p = 0.003, second visit: p = 0.002, third visit: p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS
Female sex, age, smoking, and high TSI level appear to be the risk factors that can predict the severity of GO at the time of diagnosis. Additionally, the TSI level can reflect the severity of GO during the follow-up periods.

Keyword

Graves' ophthalmopathy; Risk factor; Severity

MeSH Terms

Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Thyroid Function Tests
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Association between TSI∗ level and the severity. ∗ TSI = TSH stimulating immunoglobin.

Reference

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