title: The Efficacy of Rituximab Combined with 131I for Ophthalmic Outcomes of Graves' Ophthalmopathy Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of introducing both rituximab (RTX) and 131I for active Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) with hyperthyroidism.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 217 patients suffering from active GO with hyperthyroidism were included in this research. All subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Patients in group A solely received 131I treatment; group B1 underwent a methylprednisolone treatment in combination with 131I treatment; and group B2 received an RTX in combination with 131I treatment. Hyperthyroidism treatment outcomes, orbital volumetry, ophthalmic assessments, serum cytokine levels, and adverse effects were measured after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The orbital volumetry principle was significantly different from 24 weeks after the start of treatment among all 3 groups, and improvements in most ophthalmic parameters were regarded significantly different among 3 groups (all p < 0.05). The expression levels of miR-146a and most serum cytokines were regarded significantly different from 24 weeks after the start of treatment among 3 groups (all p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison with other therapies, RTX treatment in combination with 131I treatment is considered to be more effective for hyperthyroidism with active GO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, Yinzhou Hospital of Ningbo University Medical College, Ningbo, China.
authors.forename: Jiagen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhangsheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Xianjie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Songze
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Weikun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Jianqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xuemei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000069283:Rituximab