Linked Life Data

15789920

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/15789920

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-3-25
pubmed:abstractText
Regardless the autoimmune origin of Graves' disease, the preferred method of its treatment remains antithyroid drug administration. Use of immunosuppressive agents (mostly steroids) is still limited to the therapy of disease complications, such as proliferative ophthalmopathy. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of early immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune thyrotoxicosis with azathioprine on the course of the disease and the incidence of its complications. The study comprised 64 patients (47 females and 17 males aged 20-43 years) for the first time diagnosed with Graves' disease. The subjects were randomised into two groups. Group I consisted of 28 patients treated only with antithyroid drugs, the remaining 36 subjects additionally receiving azathioprine were included into group II. The dose of both drugs was adjusted during the treatment according to metabolic status of each patients. The treatment was continued for 8-14 months, the follow-up duration after therapy withdrawal was 5 years. Euthyreosis was achieved in all patients 2-8 weeks after treatment initiation. No drug intolerance symptoms were observed in group I. In four patients additionally treated with azathioprine, gastrointestinal side effects or leucopenia were present. The disease relapse was observed during the follow-up period in 15 (53.5%) patients of group I and in 3 (8.3%) of group II, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Only one patient receiving additionally azathioprine presented ophthalmic symptoms compared with seven subjects (25%) treated only with antithyroid drugs (p<0.001). The patients of group I were also more frequently referred to surgical treatment due to rapid goitre growth (accordingly 5 (17.8%) and 1 (2.7%) patients, p=0.07), the difference between both groups not being statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Additional early immunosuppressive treatment significantly decreased frequency of Graves' disease complications and thyrotoxicosis recurrence. The use of azathioprine may be advised in patients with contraindications to the radical Graves' disease treatment and in prophylaxis of its complications.
pubmed:language
pol
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0033-2240
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
61
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
868-71
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
[Assessment of early immunosuppressive therapy in the prevention of complications of Graves' disease].
pubmed:affiliation
Katedra i Klinika Endokrynologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellorskiego w Krakowie. huszno@endo.cm-uj.krakow.pl
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Randomized Controlled Trial