Thyrotoxicosis in Qatar

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of 179 patients with thyrotoxicosis was undertaken to determine the cause of thyrotoxicosis in our hospital and the outcome of the three available treatment modalities for patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease. Graves' disease was found in 84% of the patients, toxic multinodular goiter in 8.5%, toxic adenoma in 4%, and thyroiditis in 3.5%. Graves' disease affected women predominantly; the female to male ratio was 32, with mean age of 35 +/- 11 years. Ophthalmopathy was seen in 41% of the patients; goiter was absent in 8%. Most of the patients received antithyroid drugs as primary treatment. Forty-six patients with Graves' disease were seen in 1989; 89% had antithyroid drugs as primary treatment for a duration of 1 +/- 0.7 years, 68% relapsed. Of these relapsed patients, 82% were treated with radioiodine and 11% were treated with surgery In 105 patients with Graves' disease treated with radioiodine, 60% were cured; additional doses were needed in 19%; and hypothyroidism developed in 49% In 19 patients treated with surgery, 63% were cured; hypothyroidism developed in 16%; and permanent hypocalcemia developed in 5%