title: Recurrence of hyperthyroidism in multinodular goiter after long-term drug therapy: a comparison with Graves' disease.
abstract: The chance of permanent remission after prolonged drug therapy was investigated in 41 patients with toxic multinodular goiter. For purposes of comparison a group of 41 patients with Graves' disease was also studied. After euthyroidism was achieved all patients received a combination of thionamide and thyroxine for at least 12 months. The minimum follow-up period was 2 yr. Relapse of thyrotoxicosis occurred in 95.1% of patients with toxic multinodular goiter and 34.1% of patients with Graves' disease (p < 0.001). It is concluded that for patients with toxic multinodular goiter early radioiodine therapy or surgery is preferred since prolonged drug therapy seldom produces permanent remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Hospital Leyenburg, Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Soestbergen
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van der Vijver
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Graafland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002231:Carbimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008713:Methimazole; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D002231:Carbimazole; D013974:Thyroxine