title: [Endocrine ophthalmopathy. A visible psychophysical complaint].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endocrine orbitopathy (Graves' disease) is an autoimmune disease based on a genetic predisposition. Patients with a visible exophthalmos were examined and treated in the department of ophthalmology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Is there an association between the formation of exophthalmos and life situations and events?
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 64 patients with exophthalmos due to Graves' disease were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate psychosocial morbidity, the quality of life, social background and stressful life events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that 60% of the participants had experienced stressful life events (e.g. workplace, parents, children and partner), mainly bereavement in the months before onset of the disease. The psychosocial background revealed that they were predominantly from a low social status and lived in unsatisfactory employment, partner and environmental conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease and is substantially triggered by psychosocial factors. The necessary interdisciplinary therapy should include medical psychotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Privatpraxis, In der Augenklinik, UKGM Gießen Marburg, Standort Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043, Marburg, Deutschland. strempel@med.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strempel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Depression; Exophthalmos; Graves’ disease; Psychotherapy; Stress