Long-term follow-up for the results of the treatment with Anti-Thyroid Drugs, Radioactive iodine and surgery in patients with Graves, disease

This study aimed to evaluate factors that influence in: relapse of hyperthyroidism, the incidence of hypothyroidism and long-term treatment with different methods (e.g.: surgery, iodine therapy, anti-thyroid drugs) in Graves'' disease. In a retrospective study, 580 patients with Graves’ disease were evaluated. They were treated with one of the treatment methods from October 1999 until September 2005. Using a questionnaire that related data were collected: demographic information, onset of disease, the recurrence rate incidence of hyperthyroidism and side effects of treatment were collected. Out of 580 patients enrolled the study, 268 (46%) were treated with anti-thyroid drugs (for 18 months at least), 284 (49%) with radioactive iodine and 28 (5%) underwent the surgery. Recurrence rates of hyperthyroidism after treatment with anti-thyroid drugs, iodine therapy and surgery were recorded at 53%, 8%, 14%, respectively (P<0/001). Hypothyroidism occurence after three methods was 6%, 74% and 71%, respectively. Overall,; 6.39% of patients with Graves'' disease were treated with anti-thyroid drugs in 16 ± 31 months follow-up remained euthyroid without side effects. This figure was 18% in patients treated with radioactive iodine on 11 ± 30 months and 7% in surgical patients in 13 months follow up. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). The result showed that the long term with anti-thyroid drugs was superior to surgery or radioactive iodine long-term euthyroidism with the study complication.