Related factors in predicting relapse of Graves' disease after treatment with antithyroid drugs / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the value of thyroid-stimulating antibody(TSAb) and degree of goiter in predicting the outcome of Graves'disease after antithyroid drug treatment. Methods Seventy-one patients with Graves'disease were given antithyroid drugs for (2. 8±1. 4)years and then followed up for(22±6.0)months.Finally,age,gender,thyroid function,TSAb and goiter size at the time of drug withdrawal were compared between the relapsed and relieved groups. TSAb was measured in all patients by using HEK-hTSHR cells. Results Eleven of 71 patients relapsed during the follow-up after drug withdrawal. The relapse rate (42. 9% ,6/14)in patients with positive TSAb was significantly higher than that (8.8%, 5/57) in patient with negative TSAb (X2 = 9.97, P<0.01). The relapse rates in patients with normal size thyroid, Ⅰ degree goiter,Ⅱ degree goiter were 6.25%, 12.2%,35.7% respectively. TSAb activity, positive rate and goiter size of the relapsed patients at the time of drug withdrawal were significantly higher than those of relieved patients (P<0.05 or P<0. 01). Conclusion TSAb activity and goiter size at the time of drug withdrawal are two effective prognostic markers of relapse in Graves' disease treated with antithyroid drugs.