LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF 284 CASES OF GRAVES' DISEASE AFTER CESSATION OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Two-hundred-eighty-four patients with Graves' disease were followed up retrospectively and prospectively for from 6 months to 25 years after cessation of antithyroid drugs. The remission rate was found to be 65.6% (149/227) at 2 years, 53.5% (68/127) at 5 years and 38.8% (19/49) at 10 years and over. In order to study the remission rate with respect to the duration of treatment, the patients were divided into 3 groups short-term (6.7?1.5 mos), mid-term(14.3 ?2.3mos)and long-term(26.1 ? 8.3mos). The remission rate was not statistically different among the 3 groups. T3 suppression and TRH stimulation tests were performed on 62 cases at discontinuation of the drugs and repeated on 20 cases 1 year later. Response to T3 suppression varied significantly among different groups immediately following cessation of therapy, but no similar difference Was demonstrated 1 year later. The present study indicates that serum levels of T3 and T4 and size of the goiter before treatment and the results of T3 suppression test as well may be of some value in predicting the outcome of anti-thyroid drug therapy. Since most of the patients with long-term remission were those who had received short-term therapy, it is suggested that about 6-month drug administration would seem to be just as effective as therapy of I onger durations.