title: Long-term antithyroid treatment in hyperthyroidism.
abstract: The major drawback to treatment of hyperthyroidism with antithyroid compounds is the reported low rate of remission. Eighty patients have been given long-term (at least one year; average, 4.4 years; range, one to 14 years) continuous treatment with a remission rate of 76% and an average follow-up of 7.8 years (one to 21 years). The prognostic test of suppressed uptake by the thyroid of less than 20% was about 75% accurate in predicting continuing remission when treatment was stopped. Of those in remission, 14 (23%) were treated for one year, 35 (57%) for one to five years, and 12 (20%) for more than five years. Mild reactions occurred in five (6%), hypothyroidism in two (3%). An antithyroid drug is safe and effective therapy for hyperthyroidism.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D011441:Propylthiouracil