Change in Quality of Life after Orbital Decompression Surgery in Patients with Dysthyroid Ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of orbital decompression surgery on quality of life in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients. METHODS: From August 2014 to December 2015, 80 patients diagnosed with TAO at our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 30 patients who underwent orbital decompression surgery and 50 patients who did not receive surgery. The Korean version of the Grave's ophthalmopathy specific quality of life (GO-QoL) questionnaire was completed by all patients. We compared questionnaire scores between groups and analyzed demographic and clinical factors affecting change in GO-QoL. RESULTS: The patients who underwent orbital decompression had lower mean GO-QoL score for appearance in comparison with patients without orbital decompression (p < 0.001). The mean GO-QoL score for appearance was increased from 28.8 ± 17.1 to 51.5 ± 18.8 after orbital decompression (p = 0.024). The mean GO-QoL score for visual function was not different between the patients who did not receive surgery and the orbital decompression group. The mean GO-QoL score for visual function was not changed after orbital decompression. There was a significant relation between postoperative proptosis degree and change in GO-QoL score for appearance after orbital decompression. CONCLUSIONS: GO-QoL score for appearance was significantly improved after orbital decompression surgery, and psychological interventions should be considered to enhance the quality of life outcomes.

Oftalmopatía de Graves y tratamiento con I131 / Graves´ Ophthalmopathy and Radioiodine Treatment

La oftalmopatía de Graves (OG) es un desorden autoinmune que representa la manifestación extratiroidea más frecuente de la Enfermedad de Graves. Se describen múltiples factores que pueden influir en el desarrollo/progresión de la enfermedad, entre ellos el tratamiento con I131. El objetivo de esta monografía es analizar la bibliografía existente sobre la relación entre OG y tratamiento con I131, teniendo en cuenta su fisiopatología así como los factores de riesgo asociados y su profilaxis.

Graves´ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disorder representing the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. Multiple factors can influence the development / progression of the disease, including treatment with 131I. The aim of this paper is to analyze the existing literature on the relationship between OG and treatment with I131, considering the pathophysiology and associated risk factors and prophylaxis.

Evaluation of Mood Disturbance in Korean Patients With Dysthyroid Ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: to measure mood disturbance of Korean patients with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy according to the severity of ophthalmopathy. METHODS: Fifty patients with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy (mean age: 46.6+/-12.1 years; 32 female patients and 18 male patients) were included, and classified into 2 groups according to the disease severity. Twenty-five patients were classified with moderate/severe diseases (study group) and 25 patients classified with negligible/mild disease (control group). All patients completed a mood survey of 65 questions to assess differences in the degree of emotional distress. RESULTS: Analysis of each group showed that patients with moderate/severe ophthalmopathy had significantly greater emotional distress than patients with negligible/mild ophthalmopathy according to the Korean Profile of Mood States mean total score (p=0.03). In particular, patients with disfigurement (proptosis predominant group) had significantly worsen emotional distress compared with the control group (p=0.007), whereas patients with diplopia (diplopia predominant group) had no significant difference compared with the control group (p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with moderate to severe ophthalmopathy have significant emotional distress, and severe mood disturbance especially when disfiguring signs are predominant. The psychological burden of the disease should be recognized, and routine follow-up recommended along with additional psychiatric consultation.