Eficácia das terapias não convencionais (Pentoxifilina e Nicotinamida/Alopurinol) comparadas a metilprednisolona intravenosa no tratamento da oftalmopatia de Graves / Effectiveness of unconventional therapies ( Pentoxifylline and Nicotinamide / Allopurinol ) compared to intravenous methylprednisolone in the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy

A oftalmopatia de Graves (OG) se constitui em uma das manifestações clínicas mais marcantes da Doença de Graves. Mais freqüente em mulheres, pode atingir qualquer faixa etária e produzir alterações negativas na qualidade de vida dos pacientes acometidos. Trata-se de doença auto-imune cuja fisiopatologia centra-se em atividade inflamatória desencadeada por diversos antígenos presentes nos tecidos extra-ocular, com infiltrado linfocitário importante, adipogênese e produção de glicosaminoglicanos levando ao aspecto típico de inflamação e proptose. Os casos mais leves podem ser tratados com medidas locais, enquanto que casos mais graves, frequentemente, recebem terapia com glicocorticoides, particularmente pulsoterapia com metilprednisolona. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o uso de dois esquemas terapêuticos (associação de nicotinamida/alopurinol ou pentoxifilina por via oral) com a terapia padrão (corticóide em pulsoterapia). Foram recrutados pacientes portadores de OG classificados como moderada ou moderadamente grave e em atividade (definidos pelo NO SPECS e CAS) , distribuídos em três grupos de tratamento, a saber : G1- Pentoxifilina , G2- Nicotinamida/Alopurinol e G3- Metiprednisolona em pulsoterapia, distribuídos por conveniência. Para investigar a resposta ao tratamento clínico instituído, foram usados o CAS, a medida da proptose ocular por meio de exoftalmômetro, a dosagem de interleucinas séricas(TNF-α e IL-6), registros fotográficos dos olhos dos pacientes avaliados e a TC de órbitas...

Graves ’ophthalmopathy (GO) constitutes one of the most striking manifestations of Graves’ disease. More common in women, ocurr at any age group and produce negative changes in the quality of life of affected patients. It is an autoimmune disease whose physiopathology focuses on various inflammatory activity triggered by antigens present in extraocular tissues with significant lymphocyte infiltration, production of glycosaminoglycansadipogenesis leading to the typical appearance of inflammation and proptosis. The mild cases can be treated with local measures, while more serious cases often receive glucocorticoid therapy, particularly methylprednisolone pulse therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the use of two regimens (combination of nicotinamide / allopurinol or pentoxifylline orally) with standard therapy (intravenous steroid pulse therapy). We recruited patients with OG classified as moderate or moderately severe and active (defined by NO SPECS and CAS), divided into three treatment groups, namely: Pentoxifylline-G1, G2-Nicotinamide /Allopurinol-and G3 Metiprednisolona in pulse, distributed for convenience. To investigate the response to clinical treatment, the CAS were used to measure the ocular proptosis through exophtalmomether, the dosage of serum interleukins (TNF-α and IL-6), photographic records of the eyes of patients evaluated CT orbits...

Comparative evaluation of oculometric variables in graves' ophthalmopathy

OBJECTIVES: To estimate oculometric parameters of Graves' ophthalmopathy in comparison to healthy eyes using digital photography and digital image analysis. INTRODUCTION: Graves' ophthalmopathy is the main cause of eye proptosis. Because these protrusions cause clinically perceived distortions in orbital architecture, digital photographs can be used to detect and quantify these changes. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study comprising 12 healthy volunteers and 15 Graves' ophthalmopathy patients with the purpose of evaluating the use of simple, non-invasive digital photography to estimate oculometric parameters of Graves' ophthalmopathy and compare them with the parameters of unaffected eyes. Facial photographs of cases and controls were taken in a standardized manner. Oculometric parameters were compared between the groups and then correlated to proptometer measures. RESULTS: All estimated oculometric variables showed significant differences between the groups, in particular with regard to mediopupilar aperture, lateral height, distance from the iris edge to the lateral boundary of the palpebral fissure, and distance from the higher point of the iris to the lateral limit of the palpebral fissure. The product of medial aperture and horizontal palpebral fissure also revealed greater discrepancy between the groups. Proptometer measures showed significant linear correlation between the distance from the iris edge to the lateral boundary of the palpebral fissure and between the distance from the higher point of the iris to the lateral limit of palpebral fissure (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparative analysis of oculometric parameters in Graves' ophthalmopathy suggests that eye proptosis is related to an asymmetric increase in lateral oculometric measures. Standardized digital photographs can be used in clinical practice to objectively estimate oculometric parameters of Graves' ophthalmopathy patients.