High-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy

Statins in Graves Orbitopathy: A New Therapeutic Tool

PURPOSE

Graves orbitopathy (GO) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves disease. Although its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, GO is commonly considered an autoimmune disease due to loss of self-tolerance against autoantigens shared by thyroid epithelial cells and orbital fibroblasts. High-dose intravenous glucocorticoids (ivGCs) are the most used treatment for moderate-to-severe, active GO, but the addition of other immunomodulating treatments can improve the efficacy of ivGCs. Among the various risk factors that can affect the occurrence of GO, cholesterol may be worthy of interest. Since 2015 the role of cholesterol and cholesterol-lowering medications has been investigated. The purpose of this review is to discuss this topic, thereby offering new therapeutic opportunities for patients with GO.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for studies published between January 1, 1980 and June 1, 2023, using the search terms "Graves orbitopathy," "thyroid eye disease," "Graves ophthalmopathy," "thyroid ophthalmopathy," "thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy," "endocrine ophthalmopathy," "cholesterol," "lipids," "statins," "low-density lipoprotein," "atorvastatin," and "cholesterol-lowering drugs." Only English-language articles were included.

RESULTS

A correlation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of GO development has been reported. Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been proposed as a risk factor that can affect the course of GO and the response to ivGCs. The protective role of cholesterol-lowering medications in preventing GO has been also investigated. Statin treatment was found to have potential benefits in reducing the risk of GO in patients with Graves disease. Given these findings, measurement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and treatment of hypercholesterolemia in patients with moderate-to-severe, active GO may be considered before starting ivGCs administration. Recently, a randomized clinical trial aimed at investigating the effects of statins in GO suggested that the addition of oral atorvastatin to ivGCs improves the overall outcome of moderate-to-severe, active GO in hypercholesterolemic patients given ivGCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, statins seem to have a preventive and therapeutic role in moderate-to-severe active GO. Their efficacy can be related to cholesterol-lowering activity, pleiotropic actions, and interaction with methylprednisolone.

Comparison of the efficacy of two different glucocorticoid regimens for treatment of active moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

Intravenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are the mainstay of treatment for severe forms of Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a modified monthly regimen (mMR) and to compare them with those of the established weekly regimen (WR).

METHODS

This was a prospective non-randomized single-center study involving 62 patients, divided into two therapeutic groups depending on their referral time. Thirty-one subjects, admitted in the period 2017-2018, were treated with mMR, total dose-5.5 g, with intake of oral GCs after completion of intravenous infusions. Thirty subjects, who were referred in the period 2019-2020, were treated with WR, total dose-4.5 g One patient refused to be part of the WR group and was treated with mMR. Eye status and therapeutic response were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd and 6th months, quality of life-at 3rd and 6th month.

RESULTS

At 1st month and 3rd month, there was no significant difference in the therapeutic response between the two groups. At 3rd month, the proportion of patients with improvement in soft tissue manifestations and subjective complaints was significantly higher in mMR group (65.6% vs. 40% and 81.3% vs. 46.7%, respectively) and the same manifestations were of significantly milder degree. At 3rd month, significant improvement in quality of life was found without significant difference between the two groups. At 6th month, worsening of GO occurred in 3 patients from WR group, while in 5 patients from mMR group further improvement was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The two GC regimens have comparable efficacy with small differences in the time of onset of the effect and its duration, as well as in the effectiveness on some ocular manifestations. Trial registration number NCT05793359/29.03.2023, retrospectively registered..

Current and promising therapies based on the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is a hyperthyroidism-related and immune-mediated disease that poses a significant threat to human health. The pathogenesis of GO primarily involves T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts, suggesting a pivotal role for the thyrotropin-antibody-immunocyte-fibroblast axis. Traditional treatment approaches for Graves' disease (GD) or GO encompass antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine, and beta-blockers. However, despite decades of treatment, there has been limited improvement in the global incidence of GO. In recent years, promising therapies, including immunotherapy, have emerged as leading contenders, demonstrating substantial benefits in clinical trials by inhibiting the activation of immune cells like Th1 and B cells. Furthermore, the impact of diet, gut microbiota, and metabolites on GO regulation has been recognized, suggesting the potential of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Moreover, as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components have been extensively explored and have shown effective results in treating autoimmune diseases, remarkable progress has been achieved in managing GO with TCM. In this review, we elucidate the pathogenesis of GO, summarize current and prospective therapies for GO, and delve into the mechanisms and prospects of TCM in its treatment.

Early response to intravenous methylprednisolone therapy for restrictive myopathy in patients with thyroid eye disease

PURPOSE

To report the therapeutic efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in patients with restrictive myopathy caused by thyroid eye disease (TED).

METHODS

The present prospective uncontrolled study comprised 28 patients with TED and restrictive myopathy who presented with diplopia that had developed within 6 months before their visit. All patients were treated with IVMP for 12 weeks. Deviation angle, limitation of extraocular muscle (EOM) movement, binocular single vision score, Hess score, clinical activity score (CAS), modified NOSPECS score, exophthalmometric value, and the size of EOMs on computed tomography were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups: those whose deviation angle had decreased or remained unchanged 6 months after treatment (group 1; n = 17) and those whose deviation angle had increased in that time (group 2; n = 11).

RESULTS

The mean CAS of the whole cohort significantly decreased from baseline to 1 month and 3 months after treatment (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). The mean deviation angle significantly increased from baseline to 1, 3, and 6 months (P = 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). The deviation angle decreased in 10 (36%), remained constant in seven (25%), and increased in 11 (39%) of the 28 patients. When groups 1 and 2 were compared, no single variable was identified as a cause of deviation angle deterioration (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

When treating patients with TED who have restrictive myopathy, physicians should be aware that some patients show worsening of the strabismus angle despite inflammation control with IVMP therapy. Uncontrolled fibrosis can result in motility deterioration.

Nationwide Incidence of Thyroid Eye Disease and Cumulative Incidence of Strabismus and Surgical Interventions in Denmark

Importance

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a serious condition that can cause proptosis and strabismus and, in rare cases, lead to blindness. Incidence data for TED and strabismus and surgical interventions after TED are sparce.

Objective

To investigate the nationwide incidence of TED, strabismus, and surgical interventions associated with TED.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A Danish nationwide registry-based cohort study between 2000, which marks the beginning of uniform coding for the decompression surgery nationwide, and 2018. The cohort consisted of a mean 4.3 million people aged 18 to 100 years with no prior TED diagnosis each year. Total observation time was 8.22 × 107 person-years (women, 4.18 × 107 person-years; men, 4.04 × 107 person-years).

Main Outcome Measures

The annual numeric and age-standardized incidence of hospital-treated TED and cumulative incidence of strabismus, strabismus surgery, and orbital decompression surgery in patients with TED. The incidence was stratified by sex, thyroid diagnosis, and age.

Results

A total of 4106 incident diagnoses of TED were identified during 19 years among 3344 women (81.4%) and 762 men (18.6%). The mean numeric annual nationwide incidence rate of TED was 5.0 per 100 000 person-years overall, 8.0 per 100 000 person-years in women, and 1.9 per 100 000 person-years in men, resulting in a 4:1 ratio of women to men with TED. The age-standardized incidence was similar. The mean (SD) age at onset was 51.3 (14.5) years. At the time of TED diagnosis, 611 patients (14.9%) were euthyroid, 477 (11.6%) were hypothyroid, and 3018 (73.5%) were hyperthyroid. In patients with TED who were euthyroid, the 4-year cumulative incidence was 41% for antithyroid medication and 13% for L-thyroxine. In patients with TED, the 4-year cumulative incidence for strabismus was 10%. The 4-year cumulative incidence of surgical interventions after TED was 8% for strabismus surgery and 5% for orbital decompression. At 4 years, strabismus surgery was more common in men (13.3%; 95% CI, 10.75-15.86) than in women (7.2%; 95% CI, 6.24-8.08), and the absolute difference was 6.1% (95% CI, 3.42-8.14; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study in Denmark provides nationwide empirical incidence of TED and strabismus and surgical interventions after TED that required inpatient or outpatient hospital treatment, and might be used for patient information and health care planning.

Network Meta-Analysis of Different Intravenous Glucocorticoid Regimes for the Treatment of Graves' Orbitopathy

Background: Intravenous glucocorticoid (GC) has been proposed to treat moderately severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO); however, the optimal regime remains debatable. We therefore performed this network meta-analysis to objectively determine the comparative efficacy and safety of different intravenous GC regimes, including daily, weekly, or monthly intravenous regimes, for the treatment of GO. Methods: We electronically searched Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (via OVID), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (via OVID) to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative efficacy and safety of different intravenous GC regimes in GO patients from the inception of each database to March 2021. The latest search was updated in June 2021. The risk of bias of original studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool. A random-effects Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Ranking probabilities of all regimes were calculated to rank all regimes. Statistical analysis was conducted using the ADDIS software. Results: A total of 10 studies involving 593 patients met the selection criteria. Network meta-analysis suggested that the weekly intravenous GC regime (WR) [response: odds ratio (OR), 4.27; 95% creditable interval (CrI); 1.82 to 11.02; clinical activity score change (CASC): standard mean difference (SMD), -0.59; 95% CrI; -1.19 to -0.03) and monthly intravenous regime (MR) (response: OR, 6.32; 95% CrI; 1.25 to 34.96; CASC: SMD, -1.17; 95% CrI; -2.32 to -0.01) were superior to the oral GC (OGC) regime in response and CASC. Meanwhile, pooled results also indicated that the WR was related to the decreased risk of AEs compared with the OGC regime (OR, 0.22; 95% CrI; 0.08-0.62) and daily intravenous GC regime (DR) (OR, 0.19; 95% CrI; 0.03-0.97). Ranking probabilities indicated that the MR and WR have a relatively higher probability of becoming the best option for response, proptosis, and AEs. Conclusion: Based on limited evidence, the WR or MR should be preferentially prescribed to treat patients with moderately severe GO. However, more studies with a large sample size should be conducted to further confirm our findings and compare the WR with the MR.

Drug safety in thyroid eye disease - a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The autoimmune-induced thyroid eye disease (TED) is a frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease and less frequently of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Pathognomonic clinical signs, i.e. exophthalmos, double vision, and inflammation of the orbital tissue cause physical, ophthalmic, and socio-psychological limitations.

AREAS COVERED

PubMed and MeSH database were searched for specific guidelines, randomized controlled trials, prospective clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses pertaining to the safety profile of currently administered immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of TED. Occurred adverse events (AE), severe AE (SAE), side effects (SE), and severe SE (SSE) were classified according to the standardized medical dictionary for regulatory activities (MedDRA).

EXPERT OPINION

This novel systematic analysis offers an overview of potential AE, SAE and SE for currently recommended immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of TED. Non-specific, anti-inflammatory drugs and more specific, targeted biologicals are treatment options for active and severe TED. Critical evaluation of the pertinent literature confirms an evidence-based, beneficial efficacy/risk ratio of the current first-line and second-line treatment recommendations endorsed by the European Society of Endocrinology. However, further large, well-conceived trials are mandatory to enhance our knowledge and experience with novel specific small molecules and/or monoclonal antibodies targeting the key autoantigens in TED.

Comparison of two regimens for patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy receiving intravenous methyl prednisolone: A single center prospective randomized trial

Intravenous (i.v.) glucocorticoid is recommended for active moderate-to-severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). However, the details of the treatment schedule are still debatable. The present prospective randomized trial was performed to compare clinical outcomes and serum cytokines between the two regimens. A cohort of 90 patients with active moderate-to-severe TAO was randomized to receive i.v. methyl prednisolone on a weekly protocol or daily scheme. The response rate was evaluated at the 12-week follow-up visit. Serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and IL-17 levels were measured in 160 patients with TAO, 60 patients with isolated Graves' disease (GD) and 60 normal control (NC) at baseline, as well as patients with active moderate-to-severe TAO at the 12^th week after treatment. The daily scheme had a higher response rate than the weekly protocol without a significant difference (77.8 vs. 63.6%, P>0.05). No major adverse events were recorded under either regimen. Overall, minor events were more common on the daily scheme (11.36 vs. 4.35%, P<0.05)than on the weekly protocol, whereas the deterioration of eye symptoms (two patients) was only reported on the weekly protocol. At baseline, the IL-17 level in the TAO group was higher than that in the isolated GD and NC groups (P<0.05). In addition, the IL-17 level in the active TAO group was higher than that in the inactive TAO group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the IL-17 level had significantly decreased under the two regimens at the 12-week visit (P<0.05). In conclusion, for patients with active moderate-to-severe TAO, daily i.v. glucocorticoid therapy has a relative higher response rate than the weekly protocol with a few more minor adverse events. These two regimens have their own merits with regard to adverse effects. IL-17 has the potential to be a biomarker for evaluating TAO activity and treatment effects.

Proposal for Standardization of Primary and Secondary Outcomes in Patients with Active, Moderate-to-Severe Graves' Orbitopathy

Standardization of treatment outcomes in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for active, moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is needed to make results of different RCTs comparable and to draw sound conclusions on the efficacy of a given treatment. Both subjective patient-reported outcome (PRO) and objective clinician-reported outcome (CRO) are important in this regard. In this paper, it is proposed that primary PRO should be the evaluation of treatment-related changes in the quality of life by the use of a validated and disease-specific questionnaire (GO-QoL). The proposed primary CRO is a revised composite index, which includes only objective items and provides an overall assessment of the effects of treatment. Secondary outcomes should also be provided in RCTs to show the effects of treatment on individual features of GO, as well on persistence of activity (by the 7-item Clinical Activity Score), safety, relapses of GO, need for subsequent medical and/or surgical treatments, and other indicators (orbital volume, cytokines, TSH receptor antibody levels). Assessment of the overall response to treatment by primary and secondary outcomes should be made 3 months after treatment completion.

Treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves' ophthalmopathy is an inflammatory disease with primary involvement of the extraocular muscles and the orbit. It encompasses the most common extra-thyroid manifestation in patients with Graves-Basedow disease. The underlying cause is molecular mimicry with the TSH receptor in ocular fibroblasts, leading to an immuno-mediated pathogenesis. Glucocorticoids at high doses are the cornerstone in moderate-severe cases. However, some patients are corticorresistant or intolerant. In recent years, therapeutic novelties have been described in terms of the dosage of the immunosuppressive treatments used, as well as the emergence of biological therapy in this field. The objective of this review is to update the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy, as well as to present alternative options in patients resistant or intolerant to glucocorticoids.

Intravenous Glucocorticoid Treatment for Korean Graves' Ophthalmopathy Patients

BACKGROUND

High-dose intravenous steroids are the first-line treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe and active Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). We aimed to investigate the response rate of methylprednisolone (MPD) treatment among Korean patients with active moderate-to-severe GO and to identify predictive factors of treatment response.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study. We included 54 active moderate-to-severe GO patients treated with 4.5 g intravenous MPD over 12 weeks between November 2011 and November 2018. Response was defined as an improvement in at least two of five indicators (clinical activity score [CAS], soft-tissue involvement, exophthalmos, diplopia, and visual acuity) at immediate and 3 months after treatment completion. We examined predictive factors for response using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (44.4%) and 22 (40.7%) patients showed response at immediate and 3 months after intravenous (IV) steroid treatment. Of the five ophthalmic parameters, all patients in the responsive group (100.0%) showed a decrease in CAS and 90.9% showed less soft tissue involvement after IV steroid treatment. Among variables, the sum of extraocular muscle width was positively (odds ratio [OR], 1.163; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.973-1.389; P = 0.096) associated with treatment response. While, the OR of age was 0.918 (95% CI, 0.856-0.985; P = 0.017) and thyrotropin binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) was 0.921 (95% CI, 0.864-0.982; P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

In Korean active moderate-to-severe GO patients, intravenous steroid treatment is not as effective as previously reported. Parameters associated with CAS and soft-tissue involvement were found to be influenced by IV MPD treatment. Extraocular muscle enlargement, younger age and lower TBII are predictive factors for a good steroid treatment response.

The safety of pulse corticosteroid therapy- Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To amass all available evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the safety of pulse corticosteroids therapy, in order to establish its safety.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All electronic databases from 1/1966 up to 02/2019 were reviewed to find all randomized controlled trials comparing pulse corticosteroids to oral corticosteroids or to placebo/no treatment. Two reviewers independently extracted and recorded data regarding type of corticosteroid treatment, dosages, length of treatment and follow-up. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% (CI) for differences between pulse corticosteroids and comparator were pooled using a fixed effect meta-analysis. The primary outcome was occurrence of severe adverse events (SAEs). Secondary outcomes included any adverse events (AEs), AEs requiring discontinuation, AEs per system involved and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 64 trials were included: 18 trials which compared pulse corticosteroids to oral corticosteroids and 46 trials which compared pulse corticosteroids to placebo/no intervention. Pulse corticosteroids was not associated with increased risk for SAEs for both comparators: RR 0.77 (95% CI 0.52-1.14), and RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.93-1.06), respectively. Sensitivity analysis based on adequate allocation concealment and use of a valid AE grading did not alter the results. Subgroup analysis revealed no increased risk of specific SAEs or AEs with pulse corticosteroids compared to oral corticosteroids.

CONCLUSION

Pulse corticosteroids was not associated with an increase risk of SAEs and should be regarded as safe.

Medical treatment in thyroid eye disease in 2020

Thyroid eye disease (TED) affects 25% of patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism, where 1 in 20 patients has active, moderate-to-severe disease that will require medical treatment for reducing TED activity and severity. Intravenous corticosteroid has been the mainstay of treatment for active moderate-to-severe TED. With improved understanding of the pathophysiology of TED, immunotherapy targeting different molecular pathways including T cells, B cells, cytokines and cell surface receptors have been investigated in randomised clinical trials. This review provides an overview of the current advances in medical treatment including teprotumumab, tocilizumab, rituximab and mycophenolate and the indications for their use in the management of active, moderate-to-severe TED.

Thyroid eye disease: current and potential medical management

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most frequent extra-thyroid manifestation of Graves' disease and it is more frequent in middle age and in female gender. Nowadays, the causal mechanisms of this disease are not completely understood, but the current available studies suggest that the main causative factor is the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To collect reports on TED medical management, a thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items.

RESULTS

Among the indentified risk factors, tobacco habit is the most relevant. The main criteria to choose a suitable treatment are the activity and severity of the disease. Support measures can be used to improve the patient's symptoms in any phase of the disease. There is a large number of drugs proposed to manage TED, although with different reported rates of success.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, the drugs of choice are corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe and in sight-threatening forms. The main problem of corticosteroids is their spectrum of side effects. Therefore, other alternatives are being suggested for medical management of this disease. The efficacy of these alternatives remains unclear.

Glucocorticoids in Graves' orbitopathy: mechanisms of action and clinical application

BACKGROUND

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of the autoimmune Graves' disease. GO significantly impacts quality of life and has a psycho-social morbidity. Inflammation and swelling of the orbital tissue often leads to proptosis, diplopia, and decrease of visual acuity. Due to the inflammatory background of the disease, glucocorticoids (GC) have been used as a first-line treatment for decades.

METHODS

PubMed and MeSH database were searched for original articles, clinical trials, reviews, and meta-analyses published between 1 January 2000 and 31 March 2020 and pertaining to both the mechanism of action and immunological effects of GC as well as to the treatment of GO by GC. The publications were evaluated according to their setting and study design.

RESULTS

GC act through genomic (trans-activation and trans-repression) and rapid non-genomic mechanisms. GC in general, and the intravenous (IV) administration of GC in particular, markedly decrease the activity and number of the most potent antigen-presenting dendritic cells. According to the internationally acknowledged European Thyroid Association Guidelines for the management of GO, weekly IVGC application over 12 weeks is recommended as first-line treatment for patients with active and severe GO. The daily and cumulative dose should be tailored according to clinical severity, for example, 4.5 g of IV methylprednisolone for the inflammatory component versus 7.5 g in the presence of diplopia and severe proptosis. Fast and significant improvements in orbital symptoms and signs are noted in 65-70% of patients. Long-term experience over decades, and worldwide availability at low cost, underline the clinical and therapeutic relevance of GC. Adverse events are rarely severe, dose-dependent, and usually reversible, hence easy to handle by medical investigators. Oral GC application on a daily basis is characterized by high bioavailability but reduced efficacy and increased toxicity.

CONCLUSION

IVGC still represents the standard of care in active/severe GO. Innovative biologicals, like monoclonal antibodies targeting the thyrotropin/Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors or pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Interleukin-6) should be compared with standard GC treatment with respect to short- and long-term efficacy, safety, costs, and global availability.

Life-threatening complications of high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone for treatment of Graves' orbitopathy

Background

Treatment of moderate to severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is based mainly on intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone. High doses of methylprednisolone can exert several adverse effects, some of which might be life-threatening. The objective of this study is to describe the most severe complications associated with intravenous administration of high doses of glucocorticoids, and to develop the patient examination standards prior to their qualification for the therapy.

Main body

In this paper, we describe the most severe, life-threatening complications of intravenous methylprednisolone and address their possible underlying mechanism. We also present recommendations and precautions which should be taken prior to initiation of intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone treatment for GO. To address risk of hepatic complications, we recommend regular monitoring of biochemical parameters of hepatic function. Additionally, assessment of the risk of cardiovascular events should be undertaken based on medical history, estimation of risk factors, and investigations, such as determination of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, electrolyte and glucose concentrations, electrocardiogram examination and measurements of blood pressure.

Conclusions

An individualized safe and effective dose of intravenous methylprednisolone should be established for each patient with GO based on the vascular risk factors, comorbidities, and concomitant drugs. According to the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) guidelines, cumulative doses of intravenous methylprednisolone should not exceed 8 g.

Intravenous glucocorticoids therapy in the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

AIM

To evaluate the benefit and harms of high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC) as first-line treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).

METHODS

A systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing IVGC for the treatment of GO, with placebo or other treatments, were conducted. Electronic databases were searched, and standard methodological guidance of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used. The primary outcome was overall response, and secondary outcomes included the improvement and change in clinical activity score (CAS), and adverse events.

RESULTS

Ten RCTs were included in the Meta-analysis. Low quality evidence (one trial) showed that participants receiving IVGC achieved significantly higher response compared to participants receiving placebo [risk ratio (RR) 7.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 49.26]. Moderate quality evidence (four trials) support appreciable benefit of IVGC in response compared with oral glucocorticoids (OGC), with of RR being 1.51 (95%CI 1.25 to 1.83). There was low quality evidence (one trial) compatible with appreciable benefit for IVGC plus orbital radiotherapy in response (RR 1.38, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.79), compared with OGC plus orbital radiotherapy. One IVGC versus rituximab trial provided moderate quality evidence suggesting that participants using IVGC achieved significantly lower response compared to participants using rituximab (RR 0.70, 95%CI 0.50 to 0.98). One IVGC versus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) trial provided moderate quality evidence suggesting that participants using IVGC achieved significantly lower response compared to participants using MMF (RR 0.74, 95%CI 0.63 to 0.88). Very low quality evidence (one trial) showed that participants with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) receiving IVGC were more likely to achieve response compared to participants receiving orbital decompression (RR 3.33, 95%CI 0.51 to 21.89).

CONCLUSION

The current evidence is moderate quality, which is sufficient to support IVGC to be as the first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe GO, and the use of rituximab or MMF to be the second-line treatment instead of IVGC. However, the evidence is very low quality, which is insufficient to support the use of IVGC or orbital decompression as the first-line treatment of DON.

Treatment strategies for Graves’ ophthalmopathy: a network meta-analysis

Purpose

Various treatments have been investigated for Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). We aimed to provide an overall profile of the efficacy and tolerability of various interventions for active and moderate to severe GO.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched on 6 July 2018. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating GO treatments were included. Two researchers independently extracted data according to a predefined form. A random effects network meta-analysis was performed using a frequentist approach. The primary outcome was efficacy, and the secondary outcome was tolerability (side effect discontinuation).

Results

Thirty-three studies with 1846 patients with GO were included. Orbital radiotherapy (ORT) plus intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC) (OR 27.11; 95% CI 4.57 to 160.92), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (24.40, 95% CI 5.28 to 112.67), oral glucocorticoids (OGC) plus ciclosporin (20.22, 95% CI 1.60 to 255.20), IVGC plus MMF (12.08, 95% CI 2.96 to 49.35), teprotumumab (8.92, 95% CI 2.51 to 31.77), ORT plus OGC (4.88, 95% CI 1.25 to 19.06), rituximab (RTX) (4.85, 95% CI 1.18 to 19.86), somatostatin analogues (4.23, 95% CI 1.60 to 11.16), OGC plus azathioprine (AzA) (5.77, 95% CI 1.17 to 28.47) and IVGC (4.96, 95% CI 1.96 to 12.55) showed significantly better improvement than no treatment. ORT plus IVGC ranked first, followed by MMF. High heterogeneity and significant local inconsistency were observed in the RTX studies. The results of the sensitivity analyses were similar to those of the main analysis.

Conclusion

A robust recommendation regarding the best treatment cannot be made, because most evidence was rated as low or very low quality according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. Large RCTs and individual participant data meta-analyses are necessary to confirm these results and explore potential moderators.

PROPERO trial registration number

CRD42018103029.

Comparative Efficacy of Medical Treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Numerous medical strategies have been proposed for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED); however, the best methods for standard treatment are still a matter of controversy. The purpose of this network meta-analysis was to integrate previous evidence to create hierarchies of comparative efficacy of eleven commonly used medical treatments for TED.

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic scientific literature databases was performed and the data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment outcomes for patients with active TED were selected. Treatment strategies included in this network meta-analysis were intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC), oral glucocorticoids (OGC), orbital injection of glucocorticoids (OIGC), orbital radiotherapy (OR), intravenous glucocorticoids combined with orbital radiotherapy (IVGC + OR), oral glucocorticoids combined with orbital radiotherapy (OGC + OR), rituximab (RTX), somatostatin analogs, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), teprotumumab, and cyclosporine. The outcomes were response rate, mean difference in proptosis reduction, and reduction in disease activity. A random-effects network meta-analysis using a frequent method was conducted in STATA.

Results

Twenty-three studies comprising a total of 1047 patients were included in the analysis. Inconsistency plots showed heterogeneity in the IVGC-Placebo-RTX loop to some extent (RoR = 8.029, P=0.075). Rankings of response rates were as follows: IVGC + OR, teprotumumab, IVGC, OGC + OR, RTX, OIGC, OR, IVIG, OGC, somatostatin, placebo, and cyclosporine. The rank probability analysis of proptosis reduction showed that teprotumumab was the most effective, followed by IVGC, IVGC + OR, OIGC, OGC, OGC + OR, OR, somatostatin, cyclosporine, and placebo.

Conclusions

IVGC, alone or combination with OR, and teprotumumab should be preferred as the most effective strategies for active moderate to severe TED. Teprotumumab showed profound effect on proptosis reduction. OIGC, OR, and somatostatin analogs showed some statistical benefit and can be employed as second-line treatment strategies. RTX is a promising biologic agent, but more RCTs are required to define its appropriate role in treating TED.

Corticosteroids for Graves' Ophthalmopathy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is a complicated autoimmune disease. Various therapies have been used to manage GO; however the optimum therapy is not clear. Glucocorticoids (GCs) therapy is the mainstay of treatment especially for active moderate to severe patients, which needs evidence-based support.

Method

We searched all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving corticosteroid treatment for patients diagnosed with GO from EMBASE, Medline, and the Cochrane library and then conducted a system review and meta-analysis. The electronic search covered the period from April 1966 to March 2018.

Result

Twenty-nine trials were included. GCs were proved to be beneficial for GO patients [response rate, risk ratio (RR) = 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28~2.31, P=0.0003], and intravenous corticosteroids worked significantly better than oral corticosteroids as ever reported. When compared with the single treatment of GCs, the combination of radiotherapy and GCs showed similar effects on response rate (RR=1.25, 95%CI: 0.91~1.73). A study proved the advantage of mycophenolate mofetil over GCs in three outcomes (response rate, RR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.63~0.88). Additional treatments such as technetium-99 methylene diphosphate (⁹⁹Tc-MDP) or cyclosporine enhanced the effect of GCs on proptosis reduction, respectively (P<0.00001 and P=0.02).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis confirmed the effects of GCs in the management of GO and intravenous GCs are proved to be better than oral GCs as ever reported. Combination of radiotherapy and GCs did not enhance the effects of GCs. However, if proptosis is the main issue, combination of ⁹⁹Tc-MDP or cyclosporine with GCs may be taken into consideration. The reported advantages of mycophenolate mofetil over GCs are noteworthy and need more RCTs to confirm.

Influence of Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy on Liver Function in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy

PURPOSE

Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy is the first-line treatment in active moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). One of the adverse effects of this therapy is liver dysfunction that can be mild (ALT < 100 U/L), moderate (ALT: 100-300 U/L), and severe defined as acute liver injury (ALI) (ALT > 300 U/L). ALI can be irreversible and fatal. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of two different schemes of therapy with IVMP in moderate-to-severe GO and DON on biochemical liver parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

49 patients with moderate-to-severe GO were treated with IVMP in every week schedule (cumulative dose 4.5 g), and 19 patients with DON received 3.0 g IVMP (1.0 g/day for 3 consecutive days). AST, ALT, and total bilirubin were measured before treatment and after IVMP in the following selected pulses: after 0.5 g (A1), 3.0 g (A2), and 4.5 g (A3) in the group with moderate-to-severe GO and after 3.0 g IVMP in the group with DON (B1).

RESULTS

We observed a statistically higher level of AST and ALT after therapy with 3.0 g of IVMP (B1) than after 0.5 g (A1), 3.0 g (A2), and 4.5 g of IVMP (A3). Mild elevation of ALT was found in 4% and 11% of patients with moderate-to-severe GO and DON, respectively. Moderate elevation of ALT was found in 0% and 21% of patients with moderate-to-severe GO and DON, respectively. There were no cases of ALI.

CONCLUSION

Therapy of GO with higher doses (1.0 g) of IVMP in consecutive days is associated with higher risk of liver damage than treatment with moderate doses (≤0.5 g) in every week schedule. This trial is registered with NCT03667157.

Thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy is the most frequent extrathyroidal involvement of Graves’ disease but it sometimes occurs in euthyroid or hypothyroid patients. Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy is an autoimmune disorder, but its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Autoimmunity against putative antigens shared by the thyroid and the orbit plays a role in the pathogenesis of disease. There is an increased volume of extraocular muscles, orbital connective and adipose tissues. Clinical findings of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy are soft tissue involvement, eyelid retraction, proptosis, compressive optic neuropathy, and restrictive myopathy. To assess the activity of the ophthalmopathy and response to treatment, clinical activity score, which includes manifestations reflecting inflammatory changes, can be used. Supportive approaches can control symptoms and signs in mild cases. In severe active disease, systemic steroid and/or orbital radiotherapy are the main treatments. In inactive disease with proptosis, orbital decompression can be preferred. Miscellaneous treatments such as immunosuppressive drugs, somatostatin analogs, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulins and anticytokine therapies have been used in patients who are resistant to conventional treatments. Rehabilitative surgeries are often needed after treatment.

Acute liver damage following intravenous glucocorticoid treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

Over the last years, there have been several reports on the occurrence of acute liver damage (ALD) in patients affected with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) receiving intravenous glucocorticoids (ivGCs). This article is aimed at reviewing the literature on this specific topic and reporting two new cases of ALD occurring in GO patients while on ivGCs.

METHODS

The terms "glucocorticoid therapy" and "Graves' Ophthalmopathy"/"Graves' Orbitopathy"/"Thyroid eye disease" were used both separately and in conjunction with the terms "liver disease," "liver damage," "hepatotoxicity," "liver failure," to search MEDLINE for articles published since the first report of ALD in 2000 and up to 2015.

RESULTS

ALD [defined as an increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >300 U/L] during or after completion of ivGCs has been so far reported in 17 fully documented cases. Overall, one-half of those patients were diagnosed as having autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and in the vast majority of the remaining cases a diagnosis of methylprednisolone(MP)-induced hepatotoxicity was suspected. The clinical course of liver injury varied from asymptomatic hypertransaminasemia in the vast majority of patients to fatal hepatic failure in four patients receiving higher (>8 g) cumulative doses of MP.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall risk of ALD is relatively low (~1 %), and seems higher using a single dose >0.5 g and a cumulative dose >8.5 g MP. Whenever ivGC treatment is required, serum liver enzymes, viral hepatitis markers, and autoantibodies related to AIH should be obtained prior to ivGC administration. Liver function should be monitored during ivGC and up to 6 months after the end of treatment. Prolonging observation after 6 months is likely unnecessary, since all cases of ALD so far reported always occurred well within this term.

THERAPY OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Endocrine dilemma: management of Graves' orbitopathy

Management of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) must be based on the correct assessment of activity and severity of the disease. Activity is usually assessed with the Clinical Activity Score, whereas severity is classified according to a European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) consensus statement as mild, moderate-to-severe, and sight-threatening. Myopathic and chronic congestive forms are uncommon clinical presentations of GO. Restoration and maintenance of stable euthyroidism are recommended in the presence of GO.In moderate-to-severe disease, steroids have been widely employed and have shown to possess an anti-inflammatory activity, but about 20-30% of patients are not responsive and present recurrence. Some novel immunosuppressors have already been employed in clinical studies and have shown interesting results, although the lack of randomized and controlled trials suggests caution for their use in clinical practice. Potential targets for therapy in GO are the thyroid-stimulating hormone and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor on the fibroblasts, inflammatory cytokines, B and T cells, and the PIK3/mTORC1 signaling cascades for adipogenesis. A recent open study has shown that tocilizumab, an anti-sIL-6R antibody, inactivates GO. Consistent reports on the efficacy of rituximab have recently been challenged by randomized controlled trials.As the main goal of treatment is the well-being of the patient, the therapeutic strategy should be addressed to better suit the patient needs, more than improving one or more biological parameters. The increasing availability of new therapies will expand the therapeutic options for GO patients and allow the clinician to really personalize the treatment to better suit the patients' personal needs.

Efficacy of combined orbital radiation and systemic steroids in the management of Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with orbital irradiation and systemic steroids versus steroid monotherapy in the management of active Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

METHODS

The clinical charts of 127 patients with active inflammation due to GO who received intravenous steroid pulse therapy as a first-line treatment with or without orbital radiotherapy between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two treatment groups: 1) combined orbital radiotherapy and steroid pulse therapy (SRT group) and 2) steroid pulse therapy only (ST group). Primary outcome measures included clinical activity score (CAS); NOSPECS classification; ocular motility impairment; and exophthalmos at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The secondary outcome measure was the change in orbital, extraocular muscle (EOM), and fat volume after treatment measured by orbit computed tomography.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients were included in the SRT group, and 59 patients were in the ST group. In both treatments, CAS and NOSPECS were significantly reduced. In the comparison of the degree of change from baseline between the groups, the SRT group demonstrated more improvement in NOSPECS and scores of ocular motility. Orbital, EOM, and fat volume significantly decreased in the SRT group; however, only fat volume was reduced in the ST group. Compressive optic neuropathy after treatment developed in 0 % of the SRT group and 3.4 % (2/59) of the ST group. Reactivation of inflammation occurred in 11.8 % (8/68) of the SRT group and 28.8 % (17/59) of the ST group.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital radiotherapy in combination with steroid treatment significantly improved ocular motility by reducing EOM volume in patients with active GO.

Common Immunosuppressive Monotherapy for Graves' Ophthalmopathy: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Several immunosuppressive therapeutic regimens are widely used to treat Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), including oral glucocorticoids (OGC), intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC), retrobulbar injections of glucocorticoids (ROGC) and orbital radiotherapy (OR). The priority among these is unknown. This meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and tolerability of the above regimens.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases and the Chinese Biomedicine Database were searched up to November 18, 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing monotherapies (OGC, IVGC, ROGC and OR) in patients with moderate-to-severe active GO were selected. The main efficacy measures were the response rate, the standard mean difference (SMD) in the reduction in the clinical activity score (CAS) and the mean difference (MD) in proptosis from baseline to the end of treatment. The main tolerability measure was the risk ratio (RR) for adverse events. The pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using the RevMan software, version 5.1.

Results

Seven published RCTs involving 328 participants were included in the present meta-analysis, including IVGC versus OGC (3 trials), ROGC versus OGC (3 trials) and OR versus OGC (1 trial). IVGC was more effective than OGC in response rate (RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.18–1.87) and had an obvious CAS reduction (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.13–1.25). IVGC caused fewer adverse events than OGC. ROGC and OGC had no statistically significant difference in response rate (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.94–1.42). OR also did not differ significantly compared with OGC (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.54–1.60). ROGC and OR had fewer adverse events, such as weight gain, compared with OGC.

Conclusions

For patients with GO in the moderate-to-severe active phase, current evidence gave priority to IVGC, which had a statistically significant advantage over OGC and caused fewer adverse events. ROGC and OR did not provide greater efficacy than OGC, although better tolerability and fewer adverse events were shown.

Prospectively recorded and MedDRA-coded safety data of intravenous methylprednisolone therapy in Graves' orbitopathy

CONTEXT

Safety of intravenous (IV) steroid pulses in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is still controversial while steroid dose and treatment application have not been finalized. Frequency, severity and characterization of adverse events (AE) were prospectively analyzed.

SETTING

Academic referral orbital center with a joint thyroid-eye clinic.

PATIENTS

Eighty consecutive and unselected patients with active and severe GO.

METHODS

During an established treatment with IV methylprednisolone (cumulative dose 4.5 g) occurring AE were prospectively coded according to the standardized and recognized medical dictionary for regulatory activities (MedDRA). Outcome and severity of AE were documented. AEs judged as at least possibly related to drug treatment were graded as side effect (SE). AEs matching a seriousness criteria as defined by the ICH guideline E6 (good clinical practice) were graded as serious.

RESULTS

A total of 38.75% (31/80) of the treated GO patients reported at least one AE while 18 patients (22.5%) reported at least one SE. All SE were within the safety profile of IV methylprednisolone; 31/32 SE (96.87%) were mild-moderate and reversible and only 1/80 patient (1.25%) stopped steroid treatment due to exacerbation of her depression. Most AE were accessory symptoms of the underlying disease and a few only were directly related to IV steroids. Most AEs (90.6%) were graded as mild. Only six patients (7.5%) were hospitalized, three of them due to a dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective and standardized evaluation with MedDRA and the ICH guideline demonstrated the good pharmacological tolerance and low morbidity of this moderate steroid regimen.

Intraorbital injection of rituximab versus high dose of systemic glucocorticoids in the treatment of thyroid-associated orbitopathy

The aim of the study was to compare, in a randomized prospective study, the efficacy and safety of intraorbital administration of low doses of RTX versus intravenous glucocorticoids (GCs) to treat patients affected by moderately severe thyroid-associated active orbitopathy. Twenty patients with active, moderately severe TAO, whose mean age was 56.7 years±10.2 SD participated in the study. Patients were randomly selected and treated with intraorbital injections of RTX or with i.v. GCs. Disease activity and severity were assessed by the Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and the NOSPECS. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance scans were performed in all patients. In the RTX group, full blood cell count and flow cytometric analysis on peripheral blood lymphocytes were done. The patients were followed for 20 months. In both groups, CAS and NOSPECS indexes were significantly reduced (p<0.005). In particular, CAS reduction was evident since the first follow-up with both treatments. Proptosis decreased significantly only in group B and diplopia showed no significant changes during follow-up times in both groups. Neither of the treatments affected the peripheral TRab. In group A, 5 weeks after the first injection, the CD20+ peripheral lymphocytes value was nearly zero. One patient treated with rituximab progressed to severe TAO (optic neuropathy) following the second injection so the treatment was discontinued. The data confirm the therapeutic efficacy of RTX in active TAO, even in low doses and locally administered. The efficacy on the inflammatory component of the disease is comparable to that of steroids and seems to be related with the reduction of peripheral CD20+ lymphocytes. Caution should be given to an accurate patient selection.

Safety Profile and Effects of Pulsed Methylprednisolone on Vital Signs in Thyroid Eye Disease

Objective. To analyze changes in vital signs (heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) during and after intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) and any other adverse effects. Methods. Retrospective review of charts of patients who received IVMP as treatment regime for thyroid eye disease. All subjects had vital signs charted during and after infusions. Results. This study included 38 subjects and a total of 242 infusions administered. IVMP resulted in a small but significant percentage drop in mean SBP at 30 min (p < 0.001) and 60 min (p = 0.03) but no difference at 90 min. There was also small but significant percentage drop in mean DBP and HR (DBP: p < 0.001 for 30 min, p = 0.001 for 60 min, and p = 0.02 for 90 min and HR: p < 0.001 for 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min). There were no cumulative effects on change of blood pressure or HR. There were 6 episodes of bradycardia (2.5%) and 12 episodes of moderate to severe hypertension (5%). No significant cardiovascular or hepatic toxicity was found. Conclusion. IVMP is relatively safe and efficacious. IVMP demonstrated mild and noncumulative effects on vital signs. Severe hypertension may occur in susceptible individuals such as those with underlying hypertension and uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction, whereas bradycardia may be more likely in those on beta-blockers.

Survey of common practices among oculofacial surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region: Graves' orbitopathy

AIM

A web-based anonymous survey was performed to evaluate practice preferences in the management of Graves' orbitopathy amongst oculofacial surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region.

METHODS

A questionnaire with contentious topics in Graves' orbitopathy was sent out via email to oculofacial surgeons in 14 countries within Asia-Pacific between May to December 2012.

RESULTS

A response rate of 25.2% to 34.6% was achieved (32-44 of 127 participants). 61.0% of respondents encountered Graves' orbitopathy commonly in their practice. The more common causes of vision loss in Graves' orbitopathy included dysthyroid optic neuropathy (67.5%) and exposure keratopathy (15.0%). The clinical activity score was the most popular grading system for assessing Graves' orbitopathy. The preferred non-surgical therapeutic approaches included intravenous pulsed methylprednisolone (79.5%), oral steroids (56.4%), orbital radiation (12.8%), steroid-sparing immunosuppressants (10.3%) and watchful observation (7.7%). Thyroid orbital decompression was uncommonly or rarely performed by respondents. Orbital surgical decompression was most commonly performed via the two-wall technique (73.5%) and most respondents performed fat decompression (69.4%). Post-operatively, the most common complications include under correction (45.5%) and diplopia (42.4%).

CONCLUSION

We report the results of the first survey on the management of Graves' orbitopathy amongst oculofacial surgeons in Asia-Pacific. Our respondents practice preferences reflected the Graves' orbitopathy management consensus statement by the European group on Graves' orbitopathy in 2008.

Meta-analysis of methylprednisolone pulse therapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy

A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy. Eight studies involving 376 patients were included. A higher effective rate was found for patients treated with intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC) over oral glucocorticoids (OGC) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-1.86). The combined IVGC and orbital radiotherapy (OR) was markedly more effective than OGC+OR (RR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.11-1.77). IVGC resulted in an obvious reduction of clinical activity score (CAS) compared with OGC, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.86 (95% CI = 0.53-1.18). The WMD for the reduction of the CAS between IVGC+OR and OGC+OR was 0.66 (95% CI = 0.30-1.02). IVGC is an effective treatment and cause fewer adverse events. Limiting the total cumulative dose of methylprednisolone, careful patient selection and monitoring the condition of patients during treatment are necessary.

Thyroid associated orbitopathy

Thyroid associated orbitopathy, also known as Graves’ orbitopathy, is typically a self-limiting autoimmune process associated with dysthyroid states. The clinical presentation may vary from very mild disease to severe irreversible sight-threatening complications. Despite ongoing basic science and clinical research, the pathogenesis and highly effective therapeutic strategies remain elusive. The present article reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of this common, yet poorly understood disease, which remains a challenge to the ophthalmologist.

Thyroid eye disease: towards an evidence base for treatment in the 21st century

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. Incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis has hindered development of targeted therapies that might alter the natural course of disease. Smoking cessation and maintenance of euthyroidism appear to reduce the rate of onset and severity of TED. Recent evidence suggests that selenium may lessen the inflammatory symptoms in mild disease. Corticosteroids remain the primary treatment for patients with moderate to severe active TED. Surgical decompression is commonly undertaken in the chronic stable phase, and only rarely in the active phase when vision is threatened by compressive optic neuropathy. Orbital radiotherapy remains an adjunctive strategy during active disease. Targeted immunotherapies have the potential to alter disease progression, but further evidence is needed to establish safety and efficacy. In this article, we review evidence from prospective therapeutic trials of several treatment modalities. We focus on moderate to severe active TED.

Treatment of mild, moderate-to-severe and very severe Graves' orbitopathy

Treatment of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is better performed through a multidisciplinary approach. Euthyroidism should be promptly restored. Antithyroid drug and thyroidectomy are not disease-modifying treatments, whereas radioiodine may be associated with worsening of GO. This risk is eliminated by glucocorticoid prophylaxis. Treatments for GO differ depending on its severity and activity. Mild forms should be treated with local measures. In addition a course of selenium may be beneficial. Glucocorticoids (oral or intravenous) represent the main treatment of moderate-to-severe GO, the intravenous route being more effective. Weekly pulses of methylprednisolone are used and the cumulative dose should not exceed 8 g. Severe adverse events have been reported, particularly with higher doses. Orbital radiotherapy can be used either alone or associated with glucocorticoids. In very severe sight-threatening GO high dose intravenous glucocorticoid should be the initial treatment, orbital decompression being considered in nonresponding patients. Rehabilitative surgery should be deferred until GO becomes inactive.

The evaluation and treatment of graves ophthalmopathy

Optimum care of the patient with Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) is achieved through teamwork between the endocrinologist and ophthalmologist, with input from ancillary specialists as needed. Clinical evaluation should include determination of both the severity and the activity of the disease. It is important to assess early in the evaluation the impact of the disease on the patient's quality of life and their priorities and expectations regarding management. Once this information has been gathered, careful discussion between patient and physicians can define the management plan. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, evaluation, and management of GO.

Fatal and non-fatal adverse events of glucocorticoid therapy for Graves' orbitopathy: a questionnaire survey among members of the European Thyroid Association

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the side effects of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy observed by European thyroidologists during the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

DESIGN

A questionnaire-based survey among members of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) who treat GO.

RESULTS

A response was obtained from 128 ETA members of which 115 used GC therapy for GO. The majority of respondents (83/115, 72%) used intravenous (i.v.) GC, with a relatively wide variety of therapeutic regimens. The cumulative dose of methylprednisolone ranged between 0.5 and 12 g (median 4.5 g) for i.v.GC and between 1.0 and 4.9 g (median 2.4 g) for oral GC. Adverse events were often reported during oral GCs (26/32, 81%); most side effects were non-severe, but ten respondents reported severe adverse events (hepatic, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular complications), including two fatal cases, both receiving a total of 2.3 g prednisone. Adverse events were less common in i.v.GC (32/83 respondents, 39%), but mostly consisted of severe events, including seven fatal cases. All but one fatal event occurred in cumulative i.v.GC doses (>8 g) higher than those currently recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

GCs are preferentially administered i.v. for the treatment of GO in Europe. Both oral and i.v.GC may be associated with severe adverse effects, including fatal cases, which are more frequently reported in daily or alternate day i.v.GC. IvGC therapy should be undertaken in centers with appropriate expertise. Patients should be carefully examined for risk factors before treatment and monitored for side effects, which may be asymptomatic, both during and after treatment.

Methylprednisolone and hepatotoxicity in Graves' ophthalmopathy

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with radiotherapy is first-choice treatment for the active phase of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Intravenous methylprednisolone (mPRED) pulse therapy is much more effective, safer, and better tolerated than steroids orally administered. There have been some reports, however, of unfavorable reactions to mPRED pulse therapy on liver function. Here, we report laboratory test results in patients with GO before and after intravenous mPRED therapy.

METHODS

Thirty patients (24 women and 6 men) whose mean age was ± standard error of the mean 53±1.3 participated in the study. All patients were treated with mPRED for their history of GO. None had received radiotherapy before mPRED. There was no history of liver disease including viral hepatitis in any of the patients. A battery of tests including general serum chemistries and liver function tests as well as those relating to clotting parameters and viral forms of hepatitis were performed a week before and 2 days after mPRED therapy.

RESULTS

mPRED pulse therapy caused a significant, below reference range, decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity from 119.43±14.98 to 105.53±13.98 IU/L and an increase in gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity (above reference range, but not statistically significant) from 23.76±2.93 to 25.3±1.52 IU/L. No significant changes were noted in other liver enzymes activities. We also observed a significant, below reference range, decrease in serum total protein as well as a significant, above reference range, increase of alpha-1 globulins, and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol levels. Pulse therapy also resulted in a significant, but still within reference range, decreases in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) from 29.03±0.86 to 26.13±1.16 s, fibrinogen from 3.85±0.2 to 3.05±0.13 g/L, and increase of International Normalized Ratio (INR) from 1.06±1.06 to 1.11±0.06. Despite a lack of a history of viral hepatitis, six patients had positive tests for anti-Hepatitis B e (HBe) antibodies before mPRED administration. In two of these patients, anti-HBe antibody tests became negative after mPRED treatment. In two of the six patients who had positive anti-HBe antibodies, anti-HBc antibodies in the IgG class were also present before and after mPRED treatment. Another patient was found to have anti-HBc IgG both before and after mPRED treatment. Other markers of A and C viral hepatitis were negative in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who are on anticoagulents need careful monitoring of their INR, APTT, and fibrinogen while on mPRED therapy. We recommend at least once a week. In patients without evidence for active viral replicating disease, but with past hepatitis B, as judged by the presence of pertinent markers, mPRED pulse therapy for GO does not appear to reactivate hepatitis B.

Dose of intravenous steroids and therapy outcome in Graves' orbitopathy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several trials have proved the efficacy of intravenous (IV) steroids in Graves' orbitopathy (GO). However, the impact of administered dose and therapy schedule has not been assessed yet.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Nine randomized and 14 non-randomized controlled trials of IV steroids in GO were evaluated according to the applied single and cumulative doses with respect to outcome, efficacy on clinically relevant issues and adverse events.

RESULTS

High single (1 g per day) and cumulative (>6 g) doses of IV steroids are superior to lower single (0.5 g/d) and cumulative (<5 g) doses with respect to therapy response (84 vs 75%; p=0.034 and 83 vs 77%; ns, respectively), improvement of eye symptoms (87 vs 75%, p=0.052 and 85 vs 71%; ns, respectively) and disappearance of diplopia (32 vs 27%; ns and 48 vs 27%; p=0.08, respectively). Decrease of both clinical activity score (3 vs 2.5 points and 2.5 vs 3, ns) as well as proptosis (-1.4 vs -1.2 mm, ns and 1.5 vs 1.2, ns) are similar in both groups. However, high single and/or cumulative doses are accompanied with a 2-fold higher rate of adverse events (56 vs 28%; p<0.001 and 52 vs 33%; p=0.034, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Tailoring the IV steroid dose to severity of GO can be concluded and implies that a prospective randomized trial comparing different doses of IV steroids in active/severe GO is keenly warranted.

Rituximab for thyroid eye disease

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab-mediated B-lymphocyte depletion as treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED).

METHODS

Prospective, open-label, interventional clinical trial evaluating 12 patients with TED and Clinical Activity Scores (CAS) (VISA [vision, inflammation, strabismus and appearance/exposure] classification) of 4 or greater followed for 1 year after rituximab (1000 mg) treatment, administered intravenously on days 1 and 15. CAS, peripheral B-lymphocyte levels, thyroid autoantibody levels, and thyroid function tests were recorded at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks, and 52 weeks after the second infusion. The primary endpoint was a change from baseline in CAS. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were also monitored over the 12-month postinfusion observation period.

RESULTS

CAS scores demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from baseline at each of the follow-up visits. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels demonstrated no statistically significant change from baseline. B-cell depletion was observed within 1 month after rituximab treatment, and peripheral B-lymphocyte counts started to increase 36 weeks after the infusion. B-cell depletion was well tolerated, and there were no adverse effects of the rituximab infusions.

CONCLUSIONS

CAS scores were significantly reduced over time in this group of 12 patients and appeared to be associated with rituximab infusion. The variable natural history of TED makes it difficult to definitively assign efficacy. The results support the continued investigation of rituximab for TED in a larger placebo-controlled trial.

Treatment of thyroid-associated orbitopathy with rituximab--a novel therapy for an old disease: case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE

To report the use of rituximab to treat thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) in a patient with a concomitant B-cell organ-specific autoimmune disorder-the stiff person syndrome (SPS).

METHODS

We present a case report and a review of the related literature.

RESULTS

A 62-year-old man with SPS, latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult, and Graves-Basedow disease was referred to our medical center because of bilateral TAO. An ophthalmologic examination documented asymmetric bilateral NOSPECS (N = no signs or symptoms; O = only signs, no symptoms; S = soft tissue involvement; P = proptosis; E = extraocular muscle involvement; C = corneal involvement; and S = sight loss) class IV TAO (left eye>right eye) with a clinical activity score of 5 on a scale of 7. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits documented bilateral exophthalmos (left eye>right eye) due to retrobulbar fibroadipose infiltration, bilateral increase of extrinsic ocular muscle thickness, and enhancement of the left inferior rectus muscle on T2-weighted sequences. Because of concomitant incapacitating SPS and diet-controlled latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult, we excluded long-term corticosteroid therapy as an option and considered the use of rituximab, a mouse-human chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 protein on pre-B and mature B lymphocytes. Rituximab was administered in accordance with the protocol for rheumatoid arthritis. During the subsequent 4 months, clinical signs and symptoms of TAO dramatically resolved (clinical activity score = 0 of 7) with a sustained improvement of the spastic paraparesis. The glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody titer remained high, and glycemic control and first-phase insulin secretion did not change.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of active TAO with rituximab should be considered when standard intravenous pulse glucocorticoid treatment is contraindicated or ineffective and when SPS or other organ-specific autoimmune disorders with involvement of humoral autoimmunity are present, inasmuch as more than 1 disease may benefit from the use of this chimeric monoclonal antibody.

Medical management of thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most common cause of orbital disease in adults. The immunologic pathogenesis of TED has been an area of active research and considerable progress has resulted in an expansion of therapeutic options. Although surgical intervention may be required, a majority of TED patients can be managed with medical therapies. Of medical therapies, glucocorticoids remain the agent of choice in the control of TED activity. The objective of this review is to discuss the paradigm and options in medical management of TED.