[Retrospective analysis of 18 cases with agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the routine WBC count's effect on predicting antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis developing and risk factors of antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 18 Graves' cases with agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs during 1984-1995.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis happens 2-12 weeks after the administration of antithyroid drug, and are related with the drug's doses. Some agranulocytosis happens abruptly, routine WBC and granulocyte count can not predict some agranulocytosis developing. Fever and throat sore are the intitial symptoms of agranulocytosis, if it happens, the WBC and granulocyte count must be checked immediately. The treatment of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor is effective, the corticosteroid therapy seems not to be useful for the recovery of granulocyte count.
Dai
W
W
PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730.
Zhang
J
J
Zhan
Z
Z
Xu
B
B
Jin
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D008713:Methimazole; D011441:Propylthiouracil