Long-term clinical outcomes of pulsed corticosteroids with or without orbital irradiation for moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate long-term clinical efficacy and side effects of intravenous glucocorticoid therapy with or without orbital radiotherapy in moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Methods A total of 38 patients with moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy were investigated. 19 of them were treated with intravenous glucocorticoid only; in the other 19 patients glucocorticoid treatment was followed by orbital radiotherapy. Eye tearing, eye pain, soft tissue congestion, edema, exophthalmos, and diplopia were compared before and after treatment. These symptoms, general curative effect, and patients satisfaction were compared between the 2 groups, and side effects were recorded. Results Photophobia, tearing, eye pain, soft tissue congestion, edema, exophthalmos, and diplopia were all improved after treatment. Hormone combined with radiotherapy and hormone therapy alone did not yield a difference in these symptoms. Patients in the 2 groups showed the same satisfaction rate. However, in regard to the general curative effect, the group with orbital radiotherapy showed a better response rate. Of all these patients, 7 patients developed severe osteoporosis and complained bone pain, 7 patients put on body weight more than 2. 5 kg each, and 1 patient developed diabetes. There was no severe liver damage or cardiovascular event. Conclusion The project of intravenous glucocorticoid given on 3 consecutive days every 4 weeks in one to 3 circles is an effective treatment for patients with moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Intravenous glucocorticoid combined with orbital radiotherapy is more effective than intravenous glucocorticoid alone for moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy patients. Strict assessment before treatment may avoid severe side effects, and in a long-time follow-up, osteoporosis is the main side effect which should be alerted.