[Clinical analysis of 339 cases of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the clinical manifestation of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), to analyze the thyroid function and to monitor the therapeutic effect of anti-hyperthyroidism on the progression of TAO.


METHODS
Three hundred and thirty nine TAO cases (597 eyes) were collected from 1994 to 2001 and their clinical manifestations were summarize and analyzed.


RESULTS
TAO occurred mostly in individuals over 40 years with no gender preference. Exophthalmos and diplopia were the major manifestations and main reasons for ophthalmic examination. Retraction of eyelids and involvement of extraocular muscle were present in over 70% cases. In 339 TAO cases, euthyroidism was found in 93 cases and abnormal thyroid function (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) was present in 246 cases. The V and VI grade of TAO occurred more frequently in patients with abnormal thyroid function than those with euthyroidism. (131)I, oral anti-hyperthyroidism drug, or thyroidectomy was used for all patients with abnormal thyroid function. TAO occurred in 39.3% cases treated with (131)I, in 15.6% cases with oral anti-hyperthyroidism drug, and in 14% cases with thyroidectomy. All ocular pathologic changes occurred after hyperthyroidism had been controlled and hypothyroidism was found in most of these cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The condition of thyroid function has a certain relationship to the severity of TAO. Over-fast and undue anti-hyperthyroidism therapy may impact an untoward effect on TAO; immediate and appropriate treatment can improve the effect of therapy on TAO.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Jian-feng
JF
He
Zhong-yao
ZY
Wu
Hua-sheng
HS
Yang
Jian-hua
JH
Yan
Yu-xiang
YX
Mao
Zhi-cong
ZC
Chen
Si-ming
SM
Ai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects