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Long-term quality of life may be decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease
The background of the study. The long-term effects
of hyperthyroidism and its treatment are not known. In this study,
patients who had hyperthyroidism were questioned about their quality
of life long after treatment.
How the study was done. The study subjects were 145 patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease who between 1983 and 1990 were enrolled in a study of the effect of different antithyroid treatments on Graves’ eye disease. Those aged 20 to 34 years were randomly assigned to antithyroid drug (methimazole) or surgical treatment, and those aged 35 to 55 years to drug, surgical, or radioiodine (I-131) treatment (referred to hereafter as the young and older groups, respectively).
In 2003, 14 to 21 years after the initiation of treatment, the patients completed the Short Form-36 (SF-36), a general questionnaire consisting of 36 questions divided into a Physical Health Component score and a Mental Health Component score and a questionnaire with 24 questions about recurrent hyperthyroidism, eye problems, and the effects of the illness on well-being, work and other activities, and family relationships.
The results of the study. The 145 patients included 41 in the young group (22 treated surgically, 19 treated with drugs) and 104 in the older group (34 treated surgically, 36 treated with drugs, 34 treated with I-131).
In the young group, there were no differences in the SF-36 scores in the drug- and surgical-treatment subgroups. As compared with normal subjects, the Physical Health Component score was similar in both subgroups, but the Mental Health Component score was lower in both subgroups. In the older group, there were no differences in the Physical Health Component or Mental Health Component scores among the three treatment subgroups. As compared with normal subjects, the Mental Health Component score was lower in the drug-treatment subgroup. The results of the 24-item questionnaire were similar in the five treatment subgroups. The disease had affected career, family relationships, social relationships, and physical activities in a substantial proportion of the patients in each subgroup.
The conclusions of the study. Long-term quality of life may be decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease.
The original article. Abraham-Nordling M, Torring O, Hamberger B, Lundell G, Tallstedt L, Calissendorff J, Wallin G. Graves’ disease: a long-term quality-of-life follow up of patients randomized to treatment with antithyroid drugs, radioiodine, or surgery. Thyroid 2005;15:1279-86.
Next Article: Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-a activity
reduces inflammation in patients with Graves’ eye disease |
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | March 2006 Thyroid Digest |
