Adhesion molecules before and after propylthiouracil in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of propylthiouracil treatment on adhesion molecules in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. METHODS In this study, a total of 168 patients diagnosed with subclinical hyperthyroidism were treated with propylthiouracil for one year. The levels of adhesion molecules, consisting of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-Selectin, before and after the treatment were measured and compared. These results were compared with the levels of 148 healthy controls who received a placebo. RESULTS sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in subclinical hyperthyroidism patients than in healthy controls (*pa=0.000). sICAM-1 levels were significantly decreased after the treatment (**pb=0.000). Despite this decrease in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, it did not decrease to the level of the control group. sVCAM-1 did not change before and after propylthiouracil treatment. The level of sE-selectin was similar to that of the pretreatment control group, but it did not have statistical significance, although it increased after the treatment (**pb=0.004). CONCLUSION The sICAM level was significantly higher than the pretreatment values and decreased after the propylthiouracil treatment. However, further studies are needed to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cancer in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

RESUMO ANTECEDENTES O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito do tratamento com propiltiouracil nas moléculas de adesão em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico. MÉTODOS Neste estudo, 168 pacientes diagnosticados com hipertireoidismo subclínico foram tratados com propiltiouracil por um ano. Os níveis de moléculas de adesão, especificamente sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 e sE-Selectina, antes e após o tratamento foram medidos e comparados. Esses resultados foram comparados com os níveis de 148 indivíduos saudáveis no grupo de controle que receberam um placebo. RESULTADOS Os níveis de sICAM-1 foram significativamente maiores em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico do que nos controles saudáveis (*pa=0,000). Os níveis de sICAM-1 diminuíram significativamente após o tratamento (**pb=0,000). Apesar dessa diminuição em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico, ela não diminuiu para o nível do grupo controle. O sVCAM-1 não se alterou antes e após o tratamento com propiltiouracil. O nível de sE-Selectina foi semelhante ao do grupo de controle pré-tratamento, mas não apresentou significância estatística, embora tenha aumentado após o tratamento (** pb = 0,004). CONCLUSÃO O nível de sICAM foi significativamente superior aos valores pré-tratamento e diminuiu após o tratamento com propilciliouracil. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para reduzir o risco de aterosclerose e câncer em pacientes com hipertireoidismo subclínico.

Neutropenia severa inducida por propiltiuracilo / (Severe neutropenia induced by propylthiuracil)

Resumen Los pacientes con hipertiroidismo tienen varias opciones de tratamiento. El tratamiento de la enfermedad de Graves consiste en bloquear el exceso de hormonas tiroideas empleando tionamidas, tiroidectomía o terapia con I131. Los agentes antitiroideos como el metimazol, carbimazole, propiltiuracilo, son efectivos para controlar el hipertirodismo en pacientes con enfermedad de Graves, pero tienen efectos adversos incluyendo, alergias, gastritis, hepatitis y agranulocitosis. Se presenta un paciente hipertiroideo con neutropenia severa durante tratamiento con propiltiuracilo.

Abstract Patients with hyperthyroidism have several treatment options. The treatment of Graves' disease consists of blocking the excess of thyroid hormones using thionamides, thyroidectomy or I131 therapy. Antithyroid agents such as methimazole, carbimazole, propylthiuracil are effective in controlling hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' disease, but they have adverse effects including, allergies, gastritis, hepatitis and agranulocytosis. We present a hyperthyroid patient with severe neutropenia during treatment with propylthiuracil.

Impact of propylthiouracil on quality of life in psoriasis patients.

Background: Psoriasis greatly impacts the quality of life (QOL) of patients including several dermatological conditions that are listed in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Decrease in psoriatic lesion as measured by Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score is associated with improvement in QOL. Propylthiouracil (PTU) was found to be clinically efficient in clearing psoriatic lesions. Our objective is to find the extent of improvement in QOL in psoriatic patients treated with PTU. Materials and Methods:Twenty-three psoriatic patients who were taking 300 mg PTU/day were involved in the study. Clinical improvement was assessed by PASI score and QOL was assessed by DLQI questionnaire at baseline, 6 th and 12 th week of PTU treatment. Results: Psoriatic patients before treatment showed significantly increased DLQI score when compared with 6 and 12 weeks of PTU treatment which was found to be decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after PTU treatment. There was a positive correlation between DLQI and PASI score at all three intervals of treatment period at P < 0.001 (r = 0.793, r = 0.834, r = 0.801), respectively. Conclusion: Since PTU was found to improve the QOL of psoriasis patients, this study adds an advantage of using it as treatment option in psoriasis.

Hipertiroidismo en niños y adolescentes / Hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents

Background: Hyperthyroidism (HT) prevalence is 0.1/100,000 children and 1/100,000 adolescents and Graves Disease is the most frequent etiology. Objective: To evaluate the clinical presentation, etiology and treatment in hyperthyroid children. Method: Retrospective review of clinical charts of children under 15 years-old, between June 2004 and August 2005. Hyperthyroidism diagnosis was performed with suppressed TSH and increased thyroid hormones levels. Etiological study was done by TRAb, ATPO, ATG, thyroid echotomography and I131 capture. Results: 26 patients were evaluated; 84.6 percent females and age at diagnosis was 9.8 +/- 3,5 years-old (range: 3,8 - 14,5). Goiter was the most frequent clinical sign (96,2 percent), tachicardy and swelling. Etiology: Graves Disease (73 percent),Hashitoxicosis (15,3 percent) and unknown etiology (11,5 percent). Treatment: 88,4 percent began with anti-thyroid drugs (DAT): 78 percent PTU and 22 percent Tiamazol. 62.5 percent became euthyroid after 6 months and 79.1 percent after 12 months. 31.5 percent of GD presented hypothyroidism at 6.3 +/- 4 months of DAT, requiring LT4 substitution. I131 was applied to 4 children (16.6 percent); 3 due to hepatic compromise pre or post PTU use and 1 girl for missing treatment, developing a thyrotoxic torment. Thyroidectomy was done in 2 patients (8.3 percent), both with GD; 1 for giant goiter without DAT response at 19 months and 1 for persistant hyperthyroidism after 25 months of DAT. 92 percent received (3-blockers (Propanolol) for adrenergic symptoms for 5 +/- 4 months. Conclusions: Goiter was the most frequent pediatric HT symptom and Graves disease the main etiology. DAT treatment control HT in 76.9 percent patients and no adverse reactions with I131 were observed. These resUIts promote DAT treatment as first line in HT management, prefering Tiamazol for its better adherence and less adverse reactions. Radioiodide therapy and thyroidectomy are alternatives if treatment fails...

El hipertiroidismo (HT) tiene una prevalencia de 0,1/100 000 en niños y 1/100 000 en adolescentes, siendo la enfermedad de Graves (EG) la etiología más frecuente. Objetivo: Revisar presentación clínica, etiología y manejo de niños con HT. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de fichas clínicas de niños con HT menores de 15 años, evaluados entre Junio/04 y Agosto/05. El diagnóstico de HT se hizo con TSH suprimida y hormonas tiroideas elevadas. El estudio etiológico se realizó en base a anticuerpos TRAb, ATPO, ATG; Ecotomograña tiroidea, y captación de I131. Resultados: Se evaluaron 26 pacientes; 84,6 por ciento fueron mujeres. Edad promedio al diagnóstico fue 9,8 +/- 3,5 años (rango 3,8 a 14,5). La presentación clínica más frecuente fue bocio (96,2 por ciento), seguidos por taquicardia y sudoración. Etiología: Enfermedad de Graves 73 por ciento, Hashitoxicosis 15,3 por ciento y etiología no precisada 11,5 por ciento. Manejo: 88,4 por ciento inician con drogas antitiroideas (DAT); 78 por ciento PTU y 22 por ciento con Tiamazol. 62,5 por ciento se hizo eutiroideo a los 6 meses y 79,1 por ciento a los 12 meses. El 31,5 por ciento de EG presentó hipotiroidismo a los 6,3 +/- 4 meses de uso de DAT, requiriendo sustitución con LT4. El I131 fue indicado a 4 niños (16,6 por ciento): en 3 casos por compromiso hepático importante pre o post uso de PTU y 1 niña por abandono de tratamiento y reingreso con tormenta tiroidea. Tiroidectomía: se indicó a 2 pacientes (8,3 por ciento), ambos con EG; uno por bocio gigante, sin respuesta a DAT después de 19 meses de uso y el otro por persistir hipertiroideo después de 25 meses de uso de DAT. El 92 por ciento recibió (3 bloqueador (propanolol) para manejo de los síntomas adrenérgicos, (5 +/- 4 meses). Discusión y conclusiones: El bocio es el síntoma principal en pediatría. La etiología más frecuente es la Enf de Graves. Las DAT permitieron controlar el HT en 76,9 por ciento de los pacientes, no observamos complicaciones con el uso de I131...

Hipertiroidismo y síndrome de Down: caso clínico / Hyperthyroidism and Down syndrome: a present diagnosis

A female patient with Down Syndrome and without cardiac defects. During infancy, she had low weight increment secondary to repeated hospital admissions due to obstructive respiratory tract episodes. In addition, she attends regularly to the gastroenterology clinic due to intermittent diarrhea. At the age of 9.4 years-old, she presented liquid stools 5-6 times/day, associated to a decrease of 7 kg in 5 months and marked hyperactivity. She is admitted with tachycardia, arterial hypertension and high liver enzymes (SGOT = 63 U/1 and SGPT = 97U/1). The ECG showed sinus tachycardia. She is discharged without etiological diagnosis. In the mean time, annual thyroid function requested for endocrinology control showed TSH < 0,1 uUI/ml, T3 = 482 ng/dl and total T4 = 15,4 ug/dl, evidencing clear hyperthyroidism and beginning therapy with propylthiouracil 10 mg/kg/day and propanolol 1,3 mg/kg/day. After 3 weeks, the patient showed less hyperactivity, normal stools, normal sleep-awake cycle and recovered weight. By 6 weeks, thyroid hormones and transaminases were within normal ranges.

Objetivo: Describir una asociación poco frecuente de Síndrome de Down con Hipertiroidismo. Caso Clínico: Paciente de sexo femenino, portadora de síndrome de Down, sin antecedentes de cardiopatía congénita. Evolucionó con mal incremento ponderal en el período de lactante, hospitalizaciones repetidas por cuadros respiratorios obstructivos. En control en gastroenterología por episodios de diarrea intermitente, y en genética en forma regular. Cuadro actual se inicia a los 9,4 años, caracterizado por deposiciones líquidas 5-6 veces al día, asociado a baja de peso aproximada de 7 kg en 5 meses e hiperactividad. Se hospitalizó para estudio y se pesquisaron cifras tensionales elevadas y taquicardia. En perfil bioquímico aparece SGOT 63 U/1 y SGTP 97 U/1. Electrocardiograma informa taquicardia sinusal. Alta sin etiología clara, se solicita función tiroidea: TSH < 0,1 uUI/ml, T3 482 ng/dl, T4 total 15,4 ug/dl realizándose diagnóstico de hipertiroidismo. Inició terapia con propiltiouracilo 10 mg/kg/día y propanolol 1,3 mg/kg/día. A las 3 semanas de iniciado el tratamiento, la paciente presenta menor hiperactividad, deposiciones normales, regulación de la hiperactividad y ciclo sueño-vigilia, recuperando peso. A las 6 semanas, los niveles de T3, T4 y transaminasas eran normales. El hipertiroidismo se observa con mucha menor frecuencia que el hipotiroidismo en niños y adultos con síndrome de Down. En series numerosas de pacientes con trisomía 21, se describen en general un bajo porcentaje de casos de hipertiroidismo, dentro de los cuales se incluyen la enfermedad de Graves y la Hashitoxicosis.

Validación del ensayo de disolución de las tabletas de propiltiuracilo 50 mg / Validation of the dissolution assay of propylthiouracil 50 mg

Se validó un método para evaluar la disolución de las tabletas de propiltiuracilo 50 mg por espectrofotometría, con detección ultravioleta a 274 nm. Se evaluaron los parámetros de especificidad, linealidad, precisión e influencia de la filtración. La curva de linealidad se realizó en el rango de 3,32 a 7,75 µg/mL con un coeficiente de correlación igual a 0,99984; la prueba estadística para el intercepto y la pendiente se consideró no significativa. En el estudio de la influencia de la filtración se demostró que en la filtración no se adsorbe el principio activo ni se aportan interferencias al filtrado, por lo que es posible su empleo.

A method to evaluate the dissolution of propylthiouracil tablets 50 mg by spectrophotometry, with ultraviolet detection of 274 nm, was validated. Specificity, linearity, precision and filtration influence were the evaluated parameters. The linearity curve was made at the range from 3.32 to 7.75 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient equal to 0.99984. The statistical test for the interval and the slope was not significant. In the study of filtration influence it was proved that the active principle was not absorbed in the filtration and that there were no interferences in the filtration, which made its use possible.

Edema pulmonar agudo como primera manifestación de hipertiroidismo en una mujer embarazada / Acute pulmonary edema as a first manifestation of hyperthyroidism in a pregnant woman. Report of one case

We report a 36 year-old pregnant woman who presented with acute pulmonary edema in the absence of preexisting cardiac disease. On admission she was on sinus rhythm and her blood pressure was mildly elevated. No cardiac abnormalities were detected by color Doppler echo car diography and no ischemic changes were seen on the electrocardiogram. Cardiac enzymes were normal. Thyroid function tests were diagnostic for hyperthyroidism. She was treated with propylthiouracil and propranolol and discharged in good conditions seven days after admission. This case emphasizes the need to consider hyperthyroidism as the cause of unexplained pulmonary edema in young patients with no history of heart disease who present with heart failure.

Treatment outcome of Graves' disease in Thai children.

BACKGROUND: Graves' disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in children. Treatment of Graves' disease consists of anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodide and thyroidectomy but the optimal treatment of GD in children is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To review treatment outcome of Graves' disease in Thai children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review of 32 children with Graves' disease, diagnosed between Jan. 1994 and Dec. 2004, at the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand was performed. RESULTS: All patients (median age 10.5 yrs, range 2.85-15 yrs) presented with goiter and increased serum T4 (median 18.4 mcg/dL, range 8.8-30 mcg/dL), serum T3 (median 443 ng/dL, range 206-800 ng/dL) and suppressed TSH levels (median 0.009 mU/L, range 0-0.18 mU/L). Anti-thyroglobulin and Anti-microsomal antibodies were positive in 70% and 82% respectively. All patients except two were initially treated with propylthiouracil (PTU). Two patients were initially treated with methimazole. Adverse reaction of PTU occurred in two patients (One girl had arthralgia, positive pANCA, nephritis and another girl had skin rash and arthralgia). Clinical course of 32 patients after treatment with anti-thyroid drugs mainly PTU for 3.4 (range 0.3-11.2) years is as follows: six (18.8%) underwent remission (cessation of PTU > 2 yrs), three (9.4%) relapsed, one (3.1%) underwent subtotal thyroidectomy, and seven (21.9%) had I131 treatment. All patients (6 of 7) who received I131 dose of 100 microCi/g of thyroid tissue required more than a single dose of I131 treatment. Further outcome in fifteen patients (46.9%) is yet to be followed. Among these patients PTU was just discontinued in four and eleven had never been off anti-thyroid drugs (four still had biochemical hyperthyroidism and seven were biochemically euthyroid). CONCLUSION: PTU was the most common first line therapy in the presented patients with Graves' disease. Remission rate was only 18.8% after an average 3.5 years of treatment with anti-thyroid drugs. I131 or thyroidectomy was used as second line therapy in the present study. They were offered to those who developed side effects, had poor compliance or failed medication. For those who received I131, higher dose (200 microCi/g of thyroid tissue) seemed to be more effective than the lower dose (100 microCi/g).

Doença hepática alcoólica / Alcoholic hepatic disease

O alcoolismo corresponde a um distúrbio altamente prevalente, que é apontado como fator etiológico e(ou) fator de risco importante de vários tipos de patologias orgânicas graves. Tais características o tornam um problema de saúde pública, incitando a necessidade de atitudes eficazes por parte dos profissionais de saúde em relação ao seu diagnóstico e à prevenção. Infelizmente, inquéritos demonstram que o Brasil está na categoria de grande consumidor de bebidas alcoólicas, traduzindo o fácil acesso ao consumo e o incentivo exaustivo por parte da mídia. Com base nessas considerações, o objetivo do presente estudo é discutir os aspectos mais relevantes dessa patologia enfatizando o diagnóstico e a abordagem terapêutica.

Efeito do propiltiouracil sobre a eficácia da dose terapêutica de iodo radioativo (I-131) no hipertiroidismo por doença de graves / The effect of propylthiouracil on the efficacy of radioiodine (I-131) therapy in gravesÆ hyperthyroidism / The effect of propylthiouracil on the efficacy of radioiodine (I-131) therapy in gravesÆ hyperthyroidism

Com objetivo de avaliar a influência das drogas antitiroidianas (AT) sobre a eficácia da dose terapêutica de iodo radioativo (DT), avaliamos retrospectivamente 226 prontuários de pacientes portadores de doença de Graves submetidos à DT no período entre 1990 e 2001: 58 pacientes sem antitiroidiano (AT), 119 em uso de propiltiouracil (PTU) e 49 em uso de metimazol (MMI). O estado funcional tiroidiano 9-12 meses pós-DT dividia os pacientes entre curados e não curados. Níveis elevados de T4 livre, captação de 131I em 24 h tiveram influência negativa sobre a taxa de cura, assim como menor dose de iodo administrada e maior volume do bócio (p< 0,05). O percentual de pacientes curados em uso de PTU previamente à DT foi de 70,2 por cento (84/119), enquanto nos pacientes em uso de MMI foi de 85,7 por cento (42/49), e de 84,5 por cento (49/58) nos pacientes sem AT pré-DT (p= 0,034). Em modelo de regressão multivariado, T4 livre > 4 ng/dl, maior volume do bócio, dose terapêutica < 10 mCi e o uso prévio de PTU tiveram relação com menores taxas de cura. Quando comparado ao grupo sem AT, concluímos que PTU implica em maior risco de falência pós-DT (OR= 3,13), o mesmo não ocorrendo com MMI (OR= 1,28).

Aiming at evaluating the effect of antithyroid drugs on the efficacy of radioiodine treatment (RAI) we retrospectively analyzed 226 patients with GravesÆ disease hyperthyroidism submitted to RAI between 1990 and 2001: 58 patients without any antithyroid drug (ATD) prior to RAI, 119 patients using propylthiouracil (PTU) and 49 patients using methimazole (MMI) prior to RAI. Clinical and laboratory parameters 1 year after RAI defined their clinical status (cured or not cured). High serum free T4 and 131-iodine uptake were negatively related with cure as well as lower RAI doses (mCi) and larger goiters (p< 0.05). The percentage of cured patients on PTU prior to RAI was 70.2 percent (84/119), while those on MMI was 85.7 percent (42/49), and 84.5 percent (49/58) of those without ATD prior to RAI (p= 0.034). On logistic regression analysis, free T4 > 4 ng/dl, large goiter, RAI dose < 10 mCi and PTU prior to RAI were related to lower cure rates. Compared to patients with no ATD prior to RAI, we concluded that the previous use of PTU implies in higher failure rates after RAI (OR= 3.13), an effect not observed in patients on MMI (OR= 1.28).

Granuloma anular localizado em paciente com hipertireoidismo por doença de graves: relato de caso / Localized granuloma annulare in patient with graves hyperthyroidism: case report

Granuloma anular (GA) é uma dermatose benigna, caracterizada em geral por lesões papulosas em disposição anular. As formas clínicas englobam GA localizado, GA generalizado, GA perfurante e GA profundo. É de etiologia desconhecida, apesar de diversos fatores serem incriminados, inclusive doenças auto-imunes. Apresentamos o caso de paciente masculino de 45 anos, com lesões dermatológicas características de GA localizado, associadas a alterações sistêmicas, cuja investigação diagnóstica demonstrou tratar-se de hipertireoidismo por Doença de Graves. O paciente foi submetido a tratamento endócrino e dermatológico com controle do quadro clínico. A inusitada associação do GA localizado com hipertireoidismo, não encontrada na literatura médica, nos estimulou a publicar este caso.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a begin dermatosis characterized, in general, for papular lesions with annular configuration. Its clinical forms comprehend localized GA, generalized GA, perforating GA and subcutaneous GA. With unknown etiology many factors have been responsible, including autoimmune diseases. We describe a case of a 45-year-old man, with characteristic dermatological injuries of localized GA, associated to systemic alterations, compatible with hyperthyroidism (GravesÆ disease). The patient was submitted to an endocrine and dermatological treatment with control of the clinical state. The unusual association of localized GA with hyperthyroidism, not found in the medical literature, stimulated us to publish the case.

Thyrotoxicosis in children: treatment and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To study the treatment modalities and the outcome of treatments of children with thyrotoxicosis or Graves' disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of 56 patients diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis from January 1992 to December 2004 was conducted. There were 44 girls and 12 boys (female to male ratio 3.7:1). The average age at diagnosis was 11.9 +/- 3.4 years. RESULTS: All patients were initially treated with antithyroid drugs, either propylthiouracil (n = 53) or methimazole (n = 3). All patients achieved euthyroidism within 8.4 +/- 3.3 weeks. Eleven patients are still on the treatment, and 45 patients have completed the treatment. Of these 45 patients, 38 (84.4%) remitted after antithyroid drug treatment of an average duration of 37.4 +/- 16.5 months (range 12-90), 4 patients (8.9%) chose radioactive iodine treatment and three patients (6.7%) underwent thyroidectomy. Of the 38 patients remitted with antithyroid drugs, eleven (28.9%) relapsed within 4-24 months. The relapsed patients remitted with a second course of antithyroid drugs in three patients, underwent radioactive iodine in seven patients, and thyroidectomy in one patient. Therefore, of the total 45 patients who had completed the treatment, 30 patients (66.7%) remitted with antithyroid drugs, eleven patients (24.4%) received radioactive iodine, and four patients (8.9%) underwent thyroidectomy. Using stepwise multivariate logistic regression, the authors could not identify any factors (including age, gender, family history of thyroid diseases, size of goiter, level of free T4, dosage and duration of antithyroid drugs) that would predict the remission of thyrotoxicosis with antithyroid drugs. CONCLUSION: Antithyroid drugs should remain the first-line therapy for treatment of thyrotoxicosis in children with a remission rate of 66.7%. The patients who are noncompliant or relapse after treatment with antithyroid drugs should be treated with radioactive iodine.

Vasculitis ANCA-positivo en pacientes hipertiroideos usuarios de propiltiouracilo: Report of four cases / Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis associated to the use of propylthiouracil

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis is an uncommon complication of the use of propylthiouracil. When it occurs, it affects multiple organs as any systemic vasculitis. We report three females and one male, aged 30, 40, 43 and 41 years respectively, that after a lapse of 12 to 28 months of propylthiouracil use, presented clinical signs of vasculitis. All had high titers of ANCA against myeloperoxidase. In three patients, a skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The condition subsided when propylthiouracil was discontinued, but one female patient required the use of prednisone.

Avaliação do tratamento clínico da doença de Graves / Evaluation of the medical treatment of Graves' disease (GD)

O tratamento da doença de Graves (DG) com drogas antitireoidianas (DAT) associa-se à remissão da doença em metade dos indivíduos tratados por no mínimo 6 meses, e o índice de recidiva é alto, variando de 60 a 80 por cento. A presença de fatores prognósticos de sucesso do tratamento medicamentoso da DG é tema de discussão na literatura. Neste estudo avaliamos a incidência de remissão e recidiva em resposta ao tratamento clínico da DG com diferentes esquemas de tratamento com as duas DAT disponíveis no Brasil (propiltiouracil - PTU e metimazol - MMI), bem como determinar a presença de possíveis fatores preditivos de remissão e recidiva da doença e o perfil de efeitos colaterais. Revimos, no Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF), prontuários de todos os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento clínico da DG (sem história de tratamento prévio) por pelo menos 6 meses e seguidos após a suspensão da DAT por no mínimo 12 meses. Foram identificados 127 pacientes (idades de 18 a 88 anos; média 39,3±12,8), nos quais remissão da doença foi observada em 58 (45,7 por cento) e recidiva em 31 deles (53,4 por cento), num período médio de 14,5±16,1 meses. Sexo, idade e tempo de duração dos sintomas antes do tratamento clínico não interferiram significativamente sobre as taxas de remissão e recidiva, enquanto a presença de bócio >40 gramas, oftalmopatia de Graves (OG) e uso de doses diárias de DAT >600mg de PTU / 60mg de MMI influenciaram negativamente a taxa de remissão. Além disso, pacientes que apresentaram níveis de TSH <0,4æIU/mL entre 4 e 5 semanas após a suspensão da DAT apresentaram maior probabilidade cumulativa de recidiva da doença. Nossos resultados confirmam que a taxa de remissão em longo prazo da DG tratada com DAT é relativamente baixa. Concluímos que a combinação de oftalmopatia, bócio >40g e uso de dose diária de PTU >600mg ou MMI >60mg relacionou-se fortemente ã341; ausência de remissão da DG. Ademais, observamos que a dosagem de TSH entre 4 e 5 semanas após a suspensão da DAT parece ser uma ferramenta útil na determinação da chance de remissão ou recidiva da doença.

Hipertiroidismo neonatal: presentación de 2 pacientes / Neonatal hyperthyroidism. Report of 2 cases

Se presentaron 2 pacientes con diagnóstico de hipertiroidismo neonatal: uno del sexo masculino y otro del femenino; con antecedentes de ser hijos de madres con enfermedad de Graves; una de ellas se encontraba sin tratamiento, y con síntomas de hipertiroidismo y la otra con tratamiento y tenía controlada esa afección. Se realizó el diagnóstico por los antecedentes de ser hijos de madres con enfermedad de Graves Basedow; así como por las manifestaciones clínicas: bocio, exoftalmos, pérdida de peso, irritabilidad, taquicardia e insuficiencia cardíaca en uno de los pacientes. Según los exámenes de laboratorio realizados, se obtuvieron los resultados siguientes: T4 ³ 180 nmol/L y TSH < 1 mU/L, en ambos pacientes. Se les indicó tratamiento con propiltiuracilo, propranolol y fenobarbital, así como medidas generales y digitálicos en el paciente que lo requirió. Se logró una evolución favorable en ambos pacientes(AU)

2 patients with diagnosis of neonatal hyperthyroidism, a male and a female, are presented. Their mothers suffer from Graves' disease, one of them has no treatment and presents symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and the other is under treatment and her disease is under control. The diagnosis was made taking into account that they are children from mothers with Graves Basedow' disease and the following clinical manifestations: goiter, exophthalmos, weight loss, irritability, tachycardia and cardiac insufficiency in one of the patients. The results of the laboratory tests for both patients were: T4 ³ l80 nmol/L and TSH < 1 U/L. Treatment with propylthiouracilo, propanolol and phenobarbital as well as general measures and digitalis therapy in the patient requiring it were indicated. A favorable evolution was observed in these 2 patients(AU)

Is the infertility in hypothyroidism mainly due to ovarian or pituitary functional changes?

The objective of the present study was to examine whether hypothyroidism affects the reproductive system of adult female rats by evaluating ovarian morphology, uterus weight and the changes in serum and pituitary concentrations of prolactin and gonadotropins. Three-month-old female rats were divided into three groups: control (N = 10), hypothyroid (N = 10), treated with 0.05 percent 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water for 60 days, and T4-treated group (N = 10), receiving daily sc injections of L-thyroxine (0.8 æg/100 g body weight) during the last 10 days of the experiment. At the end of 50 days of hypothyroidism no hypothyroid animal showed a regular cycle, while 71 percent of controls as well as the T4-treated rats showed regular cycles. Corpora lutea, growing follicles and mature Graafian follicles were found in all ovaries studied. The corpora lutea were smaller in both the hypothyroid and T4-replaced rats. Graafian follicles were found in 72 percent of controls and only in 34 percent of hypothyroid and 43 percent of T4-treated animals. Serum LH, FSH, progesterone and estradiol concentrations did not differ among the three groups. Serum prolactin concentration and the pituitary content of the three hormones studied were higher in the hypothyroid animals compared to control. T4 treatment restored serum prolactin concentration to the level found in controls, but only partially normalized the pituitary content of gonadotropins and prolactin. In conclusion, the morphological changes caused by hypothyroidism can be a consequence of higher prolactin production that can block the secretion and action of gonadotropins, being the main cause of the changes observed

Trastorno de pánico e hipertiroidismo: curso clínico en dos pacientes / Panic disorder and hyperthyroidism: report of 2 cases

In two females aged 27 and 32 years old, an aggravation of their panic disorder coincided with the appearance of clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed with the finding of raised thyroid hormone levels and undetectable TSH levels. These two cases highlight the importance of routine thyroid function assessment in patients with panic disorder, mainly in those with partial response to medications or when symptoms aggravate, despite an adequate treatment

Hemiagénesis tiroidea asociada a enfermedad de Basedow Graves: comunicación de un caso / Thyroid hemiagenesis associated to Basedow Graves disease: report of case

We report a 35 years old female with left lobe thyroid hemiagenesis who initially was euthyroid and then developed hyperthyroidism due to Graves disease. Hemiagenesis of the thyroid gland is a rare anomaly with an uncertain incidence; up to now 256 cases have been reported. The detection is often made by either clinical symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, by imaginological studies or surgical/pathological procedures. No explanation has been given for the development of this anomaly; left lobe aplasia and predominance of occurrence in women have been most frequently reported