Measuring disease activity to predict therapeutic outcome in Graves' ophthalmopathy

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of a Smartphone-Based Machine Learning-Assisted System for Evaluation of Clinical Activity Score in Digital Images of Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy

Background: We previously developed a machine learning (ML)-assisted system for predicting the clinical activity score (CAS) in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) using digital facial images taken by a digital single-lens reflex camera in a studio setting. In this study, we aimed to apply this system to smartphones and detect active TAO (CAS ≥3) using facial images captured by smartphone cameras. We evaluated the performance of our system on various smartphone models and compared it with the performance of ophthalmologists with varying clinical experience. Methods: We applied the preexisting ML architecture to classify photos taken with smartphones (Galaxy S21 Ultra, iPhone 12 pro, iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2020, Galaxy M20, and Galaxy A21S). The performance was evaluated with smartphone-captured images from 100 patients with TAO. Three ophthalmology residents, three general ophthalmologists with <5 years of clinical experience, and three oculoplastic specialists independently interpreted the same set of images taken under a studio environment and compared their results with those generated by the smartphone-based ML-assisted system. Reference CAS was determined by a consensus of three oculoplastic specialists. Results: Active TAO (CAS ≥3) was identified in 28 patients. Smartphone model used in capturing facial images influenced active TAO detection performance (F1 score 0.59-0.72). The smartphone-based system showed 74.5% sensitivity, 84.8% specificity, and F1 score 0.70 on top three smartphones. On images from all six smartphones, average sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score were 71.4%, 81.6%, and 0.66, respectively. Ophthalmology residents' values were 69.1%, 55.1%, and 0.46. General ophthalmologists' values were 61.9%, 79.6%, and 0.55. Oculoplastic specialists' values were 73.8%, 90.7%, and 0.75. This smartphone-based ML-assisted system predicted CAS within 1 point of reference CAS in 90.7% using facial images from smartphones. Conclusions: Our smartphone-based ML-assisted system shows reasonable accuracy in detecting active TAO, comparable with oculoplastic specialists and outperforming residents and general ophthalmologists. It may enable reliable self-monitoring for disease activity, but confirmatory research is needed for clinical application.

[Interdisciplinary Management of Orbital Diseases]

Diagnosis and therapy of orbital diseases is an interdisciplinary challenge, in which i.e. otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, maxillo-facial surgeons, endocrinologists, and pediatricians are involved. This review article describes frequent diseases which both, otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists are concerned with in interdisciplinary settings. In particular the inflammatory diseases of the orbit including orbital complications, autoimmunological diseases of the orbit including Grave´s orbitopathy, and primary and secondary tumors of the orbit are discussed. Beside describing the clinical characteristics and diagnostic steps the article focusses on the interdisciplinary therapy. The review is completed by the presentation of most important surgical approaches to the orbit, their indications and possible complications. The authors tried to highlight the relevant facts despite the shortness of the text.

Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin concentration is associated with disease activity and predicts response to treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with Graves' orbitopathy

Background

Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) play a central role in the pathogenesis of Graves' orbitopathy (GO), while soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a marker for T-cell activity. We investigated TSI and sIL-2R levels in relation to thyroid function, disease activity and severity and response to treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in patients with GO.

Methods

TSI (bridge-based TSI binding assay), sIL-2R, TSH and fT4 levels were measured in biobank serum samples from 111 GO patients (37 male, 74 female; mean age 49.2 years old) and 25 healthy controls (5 male, 20 female; mean age 39.8 years old). Clinical characteristics and response to treatment were retrospectively retrieved from patient files.

Results

Higher sIL-2R levels were observed in GO patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). sIL-2R correlated with fT4 (r = 0.26), TSH (r = -0.40) and TSI (r = 0.21). TSI and sIL-2R concentrations were higher in patients with active compared to inactive GO (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Both TSI and sIL-2R correlated with total clinical activity score (CAS; r = 0.33 and r = 0.28, respectively) and with several individual CAS items. Cut-off levels for predicting active GO were 2.62 IU/L for TSI (AUC = 0.71, sensitivity 69%, specificity 69%) and 428 IU/mL for sIL-2R (AUC = 0.64, sensitivity 62%, specificity 62%). In multivariate testing higher TSI (p < 0.01), higher age (p < 0.001) and longer disease duration (p < 0.01) were associated with disease activity. TSI levels were higher in patients with a poor IVMP response (p = 0.048), while sIL-2R levels did not differ between responders and non-responders. TSI cut-off for predicting IVMP response was 19.4 IU/L (AUC = 0.69, sensitivity 50%, specificity 91%). In multivariate analysis TSI was the only independent predictor of response to IVMP (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

High TSI levels are associated with active disease (cut-off 2.62 IU/L) and predict poor response to IVMP treatment (cut-off 19.4 IU/L) in GO. While sIL-2R correlates with disease activity, it is also related to thyroid function, making it less useful as an additional biomarker in GO.

Global research on artificial intelligence in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: A bibliometric analysis

Purpose

To provide an overview of global publications on artificial intelligence (AI) in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Publications related to AI in TAO from inception until April 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. The trends of publications and citations, publishing performance, collaboration among countries and institutions, and the funding agencies, relevant research domains, leading journals, hotspots and their evolution were identified.

Results

A total of 55 publications were included for analysis. The number of publications and citations continued to grow since 1998, with a significant acceleration of growth after 2020. China is the most productive country with the highest number of productive institutions, followed by the United States. European countries have the most extensive collaboration. The most relevant research domain was radiology, nuclear medicine & medical imaging. The European Journal of Radiology was one of the most productive journals, with the most influential articles published. "Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy" and "neural network" maintain hotspots during the entire period. Studies were more focused on clinical features during 1998 and 2016, clinical features and medical data during 2017 and 2020, and medical data and AI techniques during 2021 and 2023.

Conclusions

This study summarized the global research status regarding AI in TAO in terms of trends, countries, institutions, research domains, journals, and key topics. AI has shown great potential in TAO. Sponsored by funding agencies such as NSFC, China has become the most productive country in the field of AI in TAO. Our findings help researchers better understand the development of this field and provide valuable clues for future research directions.

Current Therapeutic Approaches for Graves' Orbitopathy - are Targeted Therapies the Future?

Graves' orbitopathy is an autoimmune disease of the orbit that most frequently occurs with Graves' hyperthyroidism. The occurrence of autoantibodies directed against the TSH receptor (TRAb) is of central importance for the diagnosis and pathogenesis. These autoantibodies are mostly stimulating, and induce uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and tissue remodelling in the orbit and more or less pronounced inflammation. Consequently, patients suffer to a variable extent from periocular swelling, exophthalmos, and fibrosis of the eye muscles and thus restrictive motility impairment with double vision. In recent decades, therapeutic approaches have mainly comprised immunosuppressive treatments and antithyroid drug therapy for hyperthyroidism to inhibit thyroid hormone production. With the recognition that TRAb also activates an important growth factor receptor, IGF1R (insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor), biological agents have been developed. Teprotumumab (an inhibitory IGF1R antibody) has already been approved in the USA and the therapeutic effects are enormous, especially with regard to the reduction of exophthalmos. Side effects are to be considered, especially hyperglycaemia and hearing loss. It is not yet clear whether the autoimmune reaction (development of the TRAb/attraction of immunocompetent cells) is also influenced by anti-IGF1R inhibiting agents. Recurrences after therapy show that the inhibition of antibody development must be included in the therapeutic concept, especially in severe cases.

Inter-observer Variability of Clinical Activity Score: Assessments in Patients With Thyroid Eye Disease

PURPOSE

Thyroid eye disease (TED) can be difficult to manage. The range of available treatments is expanding rapidly; however, cost is a concern and some patients do not respond. The Clinical Activity Score (CAS) was devised as a measure of disease activity and a potential predictor of response to anti-inflammatory treatment. Despite the widespread use of the CAS, inter-observer variability has not been investigated. The aim of the study was to determine the inter-observer variability of the CAS in patients with TED.

DESIGN

Prospective reliability analysis.

METHODS

Nine patients with a spectrum of clinical features of TED were assessed by 6 experienced observers on the same day. Agreement among the observers was analyzed using the Krippendorff alpha.

RESULTS

The Krippendorff alpha for the total CAS was 0.532 (95% CI = 0.199-0.665), whereas alpha values for the individual components of the CAS varied between 0.171 (CI = 0.000-0.334) for lid redness and 0.671 (CI = 0.294-1.000) for spontaneous pain. Assuming that a CAS value ≥3 implies suitability of the patient for anti-inflammatory treatment, the calculated Krippendorff alpha for agreement among assessors on whether treatment should be given or not given was 0.332 (95% CI = 0.0011-0.5862).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown unreliable inter-observer variability in total CAS and most individual CAS components, thus highlighting the need for improving the performance of the CAS or seeking other methods to assess activity.

Machine learning-assisted system using digital facial images to predict the clinical activity score in thyroid-associated orbitopathy

Although the clinical activity score (CAS) is a validated scoring system for identifying disease activity of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), it may produce differing results depending on the evaluator, and an experienced ophthalmologist is required for accurate evaluation. In this study, we developed a machine learning (ML)-assisted system to mimic an expert's CAS assessment using digital facial images and evaluated its accuracy for predicting the CAS and diagnosing active TAO (CAS ≥ 3). An ML-assisted system was designed to assess five CAS components related to inflammatory signs (redness of the eyelids, redness of the conjunctiva, swelling of the eyelids, inflammation of the caruncle and/or plica, and conjunctival edema) in patients' facial images and to predict the CAS by considering two components of subjective symptoms (spontaneous retrobulbar pain and pain on gaze). To train and test the system, 3,060 cropped images from 1020 digital facial images of TAO patients were used. The reference CAS for each image was scored by three ophthalmologists, each with > 15 years of clinical experience. We repeated the experiments for 30 randomly split training and test sets at a ratio of 8:2. The sensitivity and specificity of the ML-assisted system for diagnosing active TAO were 72.7% and 83.2% in the test set constructed from the entire dataset. For the test set constructed from the dataset with consistent results for the three ophthalmologists, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing active TAO were 88.1% and 86.9%. In the test sets from the entire dataset and from the dataset with consistent results, 40.0% and 49.9% of the predicted CAS values were the same as the reference CAS, respectively. The system predicted the CAS within 1 point of the reference CAS in 84.6% and 89.0% of cases when tested using the entire dataset and in the dataset with consistent results, respectively. An ML-assisted system estimated the clinical activity of TAO and detect inflammatory active TAO with reasonable accuracy. The accuracy could be improved further by obtaining more data. This ML-assisted system can help evaluate the disease activity consistently as well as accurately and enable the early diagnosis and timely treatment of active TAO.

Management of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Consensus Statement by the American Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association

Thyroid eye disease (TED) remains challenging for clinicians to evaluate and manage. Novel therapies have recently emerged, and their specific roles are still being determined. Most patients with TED develop eye manifestations while being treated for hyperthyroidism and under the care of endocrinologists. Endocrinologists, therefore, have a key role in diagnosis, initial management, and selection of patients who require referral to specialist care. Given that the need for guidance to endocrinologists charged with meeting the needs of patients with TED transcends national borders, and to maximize an international exchange of knowledge and practices, the American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association joined forces to produce this consensus statement.

Management of thyroid eye disease: a Consensus Statement by the American Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association

Thyroid eye disease (TED) remains challenging for clinicians to evaluate and manage. Novel therapies have recently emerged, and their specific roles are still being determined. Most patients with TED develop eye manifestations while being treated for hyperthyroidism and under the care of endocrinologists. Endocrinologists, therefore, have a key role in diagnosis, initial management, and selection of patients who require referral to specialist care. Given that the need for guidance to endocrinologists charged with meeting the needs of patients with TED transcends national borders, and to maximize an international exchange of knowledge and practices, the American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association joined forces to produce this Consensus Statement.

Rituximab in the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy: latest updates and perspectives

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a potentially sight-threatening and disfiguring, extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. It often impairs patients' quality of life, causing severe social and psychological sequelae. Intravenous glucocorticosteroids is currently the mainstay of therapy, but the efficacy is often underwhelming and recurrence rate is high. For many years, clinicians have been searching for new methods of treatment. Rituximab (RTX) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeted against CD20 which is a surface antigen present on B cells. It is frequently used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or various types of vasculitis. Numerous clinical trials employing RTX in the treatment of GO have shown promising results. RTX is currently considered to be a valid second-line treatment option in patients unresponsive to previous interventions or in disease reactivation. This review summarizes the available literature on this topic, including two largest, randomized, controlled studies. Potential benefits, as well as the limitations of RTX therapy, are discussed.

Current concepts regarding Graves' orbitopathy

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an orbital autoimmune disorder and the main extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. GO affects about 30% of Graves' patients, although fewer than 10% have severe forms requiring immunosuppressive treatments. Management of GO requires a multidisciplinary approach. Medical therapies for active moderate-to-severe forms of GO (traditionally, high-dose glucocorticoids) often provide unsatisfactory results, and subsequently surgeries are often needed to cure residual manifestations. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of current concepts regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, assessment, and treatment of GO, and to present emerging targeted therapies and therapeutic perspectives. Original articles, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from 1980 to 2021 were searched using the following terms: Graves' disease, Graves' orbitopathy, thyroid eye disease, glucocorticoids, orbital radiotherapy, rituximab, cyclosporine, azathioprine, teprotumumab, TSH-receptor antibody, smoking, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine, and antithyroid drugs. Recent studies suggest a secular trend toward a milder phenotype of GO. Standardized assessment at a thyroid eye clinic allows for a better general management plan. Treatment of active moderate-to-severe forms of GO still relies in most cases on high-dose systemic-mainly intravenous-glucocorticoids as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies-such as mycophenolate, cyclosporine, azathioprine, or orbital radiotherapy-but novel biological agents-including teprotumumab, rituximab, and tocilizumab-have achieved encouraging results.

Teprotumumab and the Evolving Therapeutic Landscape in Thyroid Eye Disease

CONTEXT

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a sight-threatening and debilitating autoimmune condition, with limited therapies available, that often poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In recent years, the treatment landscape has shifted to early intervention with targeted therapy.

METHODS

A PubMed review of the literature was conducted for the period between 1979 and 2021. Search terms included thyroid eye disease, teprotumumab, targeted therapy, Graves disease, Graves ophthalmopathy, dysthyroid optic neuropathy, and related terms in different combinations. Novel biologic therapies for TED have emerged as alternatives to traditional steroid regimens in recent years. New insights into TED pathophysiology have uncovered the role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and led to the development of teprotumumab, an IGF-1R-inhibiting monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

Randomized clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of teprotumumab for TED led to Food and Drug Administration approval. Teprotumumab is gradually replacing immunosuppressive agents as first-line therapy in the United States for active moderate-to-severe TED, while emerging reports also show its use in other stages of the disease. Recent data highlight risk factors for adverse events and screening protocols to maximize patient safety. Personalized therapeutic plans developed through effective partnership between endocrinologists and ophthalmologists aim to enhance the safety and outcomes of TED treatments and improve care for this complex disease.

CONCLUSION

TED management is shifting to an era of targeted therapy with multidisciplinary care. Teprotumumab has demonstrated superior efficacy to conventional treatments and has transformed our therapeutic and surgical algorithms. Clinical guidelines and additional studies are needed to further guide and refine therapy.

Advances in the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease Associated Extraocular Muscle Myopathy and Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review emerging treatments for thyroid eye disease (TED) associated extraocular muscle myopathy and dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON).

RECENT FINDINGS

Emerging targeted biologic therapies may alter the disease course in TED. Teprotumumab, a type I insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibitor, is the most recent addition to the treatments available for TED-associated extraocular muscle myopathy causing diplopia. Small studies also suggest a potential therapeutic benefit for DON. Various recent studies have also expanded our knowledge on conventional TED therapies. The therapeutic landscape of TED and its sequelae has evolved in recent years. New targeted therapies have the potential to reduce the extraocular muscle and orbital volume expansion which can lead to diplopia and vision loss from optic nerve compression. Longer term efficacy and durability data is needed to determine the role biologics, such as teprotumumab, should play in the treatment of TED patients compared to the current standard of care.

18 F-FDG-PET/MRI in patients with Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

Currently, therapeutic management of patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO) relies on clinical assessments and MRI. However, monitoring of inflammation remains difficult since external inflammatory signs do not necessarily represent the orbital disease activity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/MRI to assess the inflammation of GO patients.

METHODS

Enrolled patients with new onset of GO underwent ophthalmological examinations to evaluate the activity (CAS) and severity of GO (NOSPECS), as well as an ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/MRI (Siemens Biograph mMR) with dual time point imaging (immediately post-injection and 60 min p.i.). A subset of PET parameters including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic target volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were obtained separately per eye and per extraocular eye muscle (EOM). EOM thickness was measured on the co-registered MRI.

RESULTS

Of 14 enrolled patients, three showed mild, seven moderate-to-severe, and four sight-threatening GO. Patients with severe GO showed statistically significant higher TLG than patients with mild GO (p = 0.02) and higher MTV than patients with mild (p = 0.03) and moderate (p = 0.04) GO. Correlation between NOSPECS on one hand and MTV and TLG on the other was significant (R² = 0.49-0.61).

CONCLUSION

TLG and MTV derived from FDG-PET appear to be good discriminators for severe vs. mild-to-moderate GO and show a significant correlation with NOSPECS. As expected, PET parameters of individual eye muscles were not correlated with associated eye motility, since fibrosis, and not inflammation, is mainly responsible for restricted motility. In conclusion, ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/MRI can be used for assessment of GO inflammation.

Thermal Imaging of the Ocular Surface in Thyroid Eye Disease: A Comparison between Active, Inactive and Healthy Eyes

Aim: To report the temperature differences on the ocular surface using infrared thermal imaging (TI) in thyroid eye disease (TED) and healthy eyesMethods: Prospective, consecutive, comparative case series comparing TI parameters between active and inactive TED with healthy controls. The data captured included baseline demography, activity of TED and the TI parameters. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) were calculated for the temperature values to determine the sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing active from inactive TED. The Youden index and the predictor cut off values were also reported.Results: The study included 11 eyes with active TED, 46 eyes with inactive TED and 40 eyes healthy patients. Temperatures of pre-determined points on the ocular surface in degrees were compared between the three groups. Temperature at the caruncle, medial and lateral conjunctiva was noted to be significantly higher in the active TED group compared to inactive TED and healthy eyes. The most favorable Youden index (0.7) was noted for the caruncle with an AUROC value of 0.91, a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 79%. Correlation coefficient for the caruncular temperature with the corresponding CAS (clinical activity score) was 0.65 (95% C.I. 0.45 to 0.78, p < .0001).Conclusion: Thermal imaging in TED is an objective way of documenting surface inflammation by the surrogate marker of temperature change. It supplements CAS in clinically evident cases and could be useful in staging eyes with subtle clinical signs as well as those where signs have reduced following initiation of treatment.

Radiologic imaging shows variable accuracy in diagnosing orbital inflammatory disease and assessing its activity

Radiologic orbital imaging provides important information in the diagnosis and management of orbital inflammation. However, the diagnostic value of orbital imaging is not well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of orbital imaging to diagnose orbital inflammatory diseases and its ability to detect active inflammation. We collected 75 scans of 52 patients (49 computed tomography (CT) scans; 26 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans). Clinical diagnoses included thyroid eye disease (TED) (41 scans, 31 patients), non-specific orbital inflammation (NSOI) (22 scans, 14 patients), sarcoidosis (4 scans, 3 patients), IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) (5 scans, 3 patients), and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (3 scans, 1 patient). Two experienced neuroradiologists interpreted the scans, offered a most likely diagnosis, and assessed the activity of inflammation, blinded to clinical findings. The accuracy rate of radiological diagnosis compared to each clinical diagnosis was evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity in detecting active inflammation were analyzed for TED and NSOI. The accuracy rate of radiologic diagnosis was 80.0% for IgG4-ROD, 77.3% for NSOI, and 73.2% for TED. Orbital imaging could not diagnose sarcoidosis. Orbital CT had a sensitivity of 50.0% and a specificity of 75.0% to predict active TED using clinical assessment as the gold standard. The sensitivity/specificity of orbital MR was 83.3/16.7% for the detection of active NSOI. In conclusion, orbital imaging is accurate for the diagnosis of IgG4, NSOI, and TED. Further studies with a large number of cases are needed to confirm this finding, especially with regard to uncommon diseases. Orbital CT showed moderate sensitivity and good specificity for identifying active TED.

Graves' disease

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the thyroid gland. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and occurs at all ages but especially in women of reproductive age. Graves' hyperthyroidism is caused by autoantibodies to the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) that act as agonists and induce excessive thyroid hormone secretion, releasing the thyroid gland from pituitary control. TSHR autoantibodies also underlie Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and pretibial myxoedema. Additionally, the pathophysiology of GO (and likely pretibial myxoedema) involves the synergism of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) with TSHR autoantibodies, causing retro-orbital tissue expansion and inflammation. Although the aetiology of GD remains unknown, evidence indicates a strong genetic component combined with random potential environmental insults in an immunologically susceptible individual. The treatment of GD has not changed substantially for many years and remains a choice between antithyroid drugs, radioiodine or surgery. However, antithyroid drug use can cause drug-induced embryopathy in pregnancy, radioiodine therapy can exacerbate GO and surgery can result in hypoparathyroidism or laryngeal nerve damage. Therefore, future studies should focus on improved drug management, and a number of important advances are on the horizon.

Systemic safety analysis of mycophenolate in Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

The dual antiproliferative mechanism of mycophenolate appears to be beneficial in Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

METHODS

Safety data from the two published mycophenolate trials and the original database of the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) trial were systematically analyzed. Treatment efficacy stratified by individual visual parameters of activity and severity were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 129 adverse events (AE) involving 50 patients (29.4%) were noted among all mycophenolate-treated patients. Mycophenolate sodium plus intravenous glucocorticoid (MPS + GC) group of the EUGOGO trial recorded significantly more AE (55.4% versus 4.6% of patients affected) and serious adverse events (SAE) (12.5% versus 0%) than mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) group of the Chinese trial. None of those SAE was side effect (SE). Most SE in MPS + GC group were mild. Gastrointestinal disorders, infection and liver dysfunction affected 8.8%, 7.1% and 1.2% of all mycophenolate-treated patients (versus 5.4%, 5.4% and 1.2% of all patients on GC monotherapy, respectively). MPS + GC did not significantly increase the risk of infection or liver dysfunction when compared to GC monotherapy. No cytopenia, serious infection or treatment-related mortality was reported. The much higher AE rates of mycophenolate trials in other autoimmune diseases or transplantations suggested that major mycophenolate toxicities were mostly dose- and duration dependent. Mycophenolate, either as monotherapy or as combination, achieved better overall response than GC monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The risk-benefit ratio of low-dose mycophenolate treatment in active moderate-to-severe GO is highly favorable given its reassuring safety profile with low rate of mild-to-moderate SE and promising efficacy.

Effect of orbital radiotherapy on the outcome of surgical orbital decompression for thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO): a retrospective study in 136 patients

PURPOSE

In patients with moderate to severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), orbital radiation therapy (ORT) can prevent disease progression. In the sequelae stage, orbital decompression surgery can be useful in case of functional discomfort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of orbital ORT on the outcomes of decompression surgery.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we included 136 patients who had had bilateral orbital decompression between 1995 and 2016. Before surgery, 38 patients received Radiation Therapy (RT+) while 98 did not (RT-). All RT+ patients and 20 RT- patients had systemic corticosteroid treatment. In both groups surgical outcome was evaluated by exophthalmos reduction (mm), palpebral fissure (mm), distance between the lid margin and the corneo-scleral limbus (mm), existence of conjunctival hyperemia and diplopia.

RESULTS

In both RT+ and RT- groups, surgery improved the proptosis, significantly greater in RT+(3.66 ± 1.79 mm) than in RT- group (2.85 ± 1.80 mm) (p < 0.019). No significant differences were noted in the palpebral fissure, the distance from the lid margin to the corneo-scleral limbus. After surgery, only one patient (5%) in the RT+ group presented with new-onset diplopia, whereas in the RT- group there were 14 (36%) patients (p < 0.007). After orbital decompression, the number of conjunctival hyperemia decreased by 6 (21%) in the RT+ group versus 21 (60%) in the RT- group (p < 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Orbital radiotherapy during the inflammatory phase enhances the outcomes after orbital decompression in TAO. After surgery we observed a greater improvement in proptosis and in diplopia for RT+ versus RT- patients.

Advances in the management of thyroid eye diseases: An overview

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid eye disease (TED) remains a notorious ailment for both patients and the treating ophthalmologists. Recent years have witnessed considerable research in the immunopathogenic mechanism of TED that has resulted in an expansion and modification of the available management options.

AIM

Purpose of this review is to summarise the advances in the management of thyroid ophthalmopathy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A thorough literature search and of the past 10 years web search with words Thyroid ophthalmopathy, recent, advances.

RESULTS

Recent VISA classification and new serum markers seem to have potential to give diagnostic as well as therapeutic guidance, gauge treatment response and even identify risk of disease progression. Majority of TED patients can be managed conservatively due to its self-limiting nature but if indicated, still steroids are the preferable medical therapy; however, there is an increasing consensus towards the use of parenteral form as compared to the oral one on account of greater efficacy with lesser side effects. Steroid sparing medications, for example, rituximab, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, teprotumumab, tocilizumab, tanshinone, are showing encouraging results and form an area of active research.

CONCLUSION

Radiation therapy remains as an adjunctive modality in active diseases as a nonmedical treatment for TED with some promising data. Surgical intervention may be required in vision threatening conditions or to counteract the sequel of inflammatory phase. Advances in surgical techniques like stereotactic image-guided balanced orbital decompression with endoscopic approach ensure meticulous dissection with minimal trauma.

99Tcm-octreotide scintigraphy and serum eye muscle antibodies in evaluation of active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

PurposeAs an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is managed optimally by immunosuppression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate octreotide scintigraphy and the level of serum extraocular muscle antibodies in TAO activity.Patients and methodsThis prospective study comprised 304 patients with active TAO (the clinical activity score; CAS≥3), 73 with inactive TAO (CAS<3), 128 with Graves' disease (GD) without ophthalmopathy, and 100 healthy subjects. Moderate-to-severe active TAO patients (CAS≥5) received intravenous injection of methylprednisolone; mild active patients (3≤CAS≤4) received periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide. ⁹⁹Tc^m-octreotide scintigraphy and serum levels of calsequestrin, uveal auto-antigen with coiled-coil domains and ankyrin repeats (UACA) and G2s antibodies were detected before and after treatment.Results⁹⁹Tc^m-octreotide scintigraphy was positive in active TAO patients (97%) with elevated uptake ratio (UR) (P<0.05), and showed a significant correlation with CAS (r=0.816, P<0.01). After treatment both UR and CAS decreased significantly (P<0.05). The receiving operator characteristic curve (ROC) showed that the best UR threshold for discriminating active and inactive TAO was 1.34 (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 89.4%). The level of serum calsequestrin antibody was higher in active TAO (P<0.05), showed a significant correlation with CAS (r=0.738, P<0.05), and also decreased after treatment (P<0.05). The best serum calsequestrin antibody threshold of the ROC curve was 138 ng/l (sensitivity, 88.4%; specificity, 89.2%). The UACA antibody was elevated in both TAO and GD patients (P<0.05), with no significant difference (P>0.05). As to G2s, no significant difference was found between all groups (P>0.05). Moreover, six GD patients (4.69%) with elevated calsequestrin developed active TAO 12 weeks later.Conclusion⁹⁹Tc^m-octreotide scintigraphy played a critical role in the evaluation of the clinical activity and therapeutic efficacy of TAO. Autoimmunity against calsequestrin in the pathogenesis of the eye muscle components may provide further objective evidence of myopathy in active TAO. Furthermore, calsequestrin antibody may predict myopathy in active TAO.

MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Rituximab therapy for Graves' orbitopathy - lessons from randomized control trials

Rituximab (RTX) use in open-label series has been associated with very encouraging responses in patients with active and moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Recently, randomized controlled trials of RTX have been performed in such patients to answer the question of clinical efficacy and the safety profile of this agent. That data, reported separately, focused on Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and indicated in one trial a strong benefit of RTX in comparison with IV glucocorticoids, whereas the other trial noted the absence of a benefit by comparison with placebo. The outcome was reanalyzed post hoc here, using EUGOGO criteria, and the results were not significantly different. The authors comment further on the differences between the two trials regarding populations treated, methodology, analysis of outcomes and the adverse effect profile of RTX. The populations treated appear different with younger patients, lower TRAb and shorter duration of disease prevalent in the Italian trial, all elements favoring a better response. Smoking, usually diminishing a response, was also more prevalent in some patients. The combined outcome proposed by EUGOGO revealed similar results with CAS regarding RTX efficacy; yet, it might be a more comprehensive outcome. The adverse events of concern relate mainly to the risk of DON, which seems to be increased by the use of RTX in a certain subset of patients. Based on available data, a multicenter trial using the EUGOGO-proposed outcomes might be the next best step to define the role of RTX in GO therapy.

[Graves' ophthalmopathy]

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is the main extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease and the full clinical picture can impair the quality of life of the patients considerably. Active inflammation can often be effectively treated by intravenous steroids/immunosuppression, however does not lead to full remission, since inflammation rather quickly results in irreversible fibrosis and increase of orbital fat. Very important is the control of risk factors (smoking cessation, good control of thyroid function, selenium supplementation) to prevent progression to severe stages. Treatment should rely on a thorough assessment of activity and severity of GO. Rehabilitative surgery (orbital decompression, squint surgery, eyelid surgery) is needed in many patients to restore function and appearance. Anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies do specifically occur in these patients and correlate to the course of thyroid and eye disease. The levels of these antibodies can be used for treatment decisions at certain time points of the disease.

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 B-cell targeted therapy with rituximab in patients with active moderate to severe Graves' orbitopathy: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Preliminary studies have shown that rituximab (RTX) is effective in the treatment of active Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

METHODS

We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial (European Clinical Trials Database [EudraCT] 2007-003910-33) to compare RTX with iv methylprednisolone (ivMP) in patients with active moderate to severe GO. Thirty-two patients were randomized to receive either ivMP (7.5 g) or RTX (2000 or 500 mg). The primary end point was the decrease of the clinical activity score of 2 points or to less than 3 at week 24. Changes of proptosis, lid fissure, diplopia and eye muscle motility, and quality of life score were secondary end points. The number of therapeutic responses, disease reactivation, and surgical procedures required during follow-up and the patients' quality of life were also assessed.

RESULTS

The clinical activity score decreased with both treatments but more after RTX at 16, 20, and 24 weeks (P < .04, P < .02, P < .006, respectively), whether 1000 mg RTX twice or 500 mg RTX once was used (P = NS). At 24 weeks 100% of RTX patients improved compared with 69% after ivMP (P < .001). Disease reactivation was never observed in RTX patients but was observed in five after ivMP. Patients treated with RTX scored better motility at 52 weeks in both the right (P = .014) and the left eye (P = .026). Overall rehabilitative surgical procedures carried out during follow-up (at 76 wk) were 12 in 16 ivMP patients and 5 in 15 RTX patients (P = .049).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this trial confirm preliminary reports on a better therapeutic outcome of RTX in active moderate to severe GO, when compared with ivMP, even after a lower RTX dose. The better eye motility outcome, visual functioning of the quality of life assessment, and the reduced number of surgical procedures in patients after RTX seem to suggest a disease-modifying effect of the drug.

Acute thyroid eye disease (TED): principles of medical and surgical management

The active inflammatory phase of thyroid eye disease (TED) is mediated by the innate immune system, and management is aimed at aborting this self-limited period of autoimmune activity. In most patients with TED, ocular and adnexal changes are mild and management involves controlling thyroid dysfunction, cessation of smoking, and addressing ocular surface inflammation and exposure. In patients with acute moderate disease, this being sufficient to impair orbital functions, immunosuppression reduces the long-term sequelae of acute inflammation, and adjunctive fractionated low-dose orbital radiotherapy is used as a steroid-sparing measure. Elective surgery is often required following moderate TED, be it for proptosis, diplopia, lid retraction, or to debulk the eyelid, and this should be delayed until the disease is quiescent, with the patient stable and weaned off all immunosuppression. Thus, surgical intervention during the active phase of moderate disease is rarely indicated, although clinical experience suggests that, where there is significant orbital congestion, early orbital decompression can limit progression to more severe disease. Acute severe TED poses a major risk of irreversible loss of vision due to marked exposure keratopathy, 'hydraulic' orbital congestion, or compressive optic neuropathy. If performed promptly, retractor recession with or without a suture tarsorrhaphy protects the ocular surface from severe exposure and, in patients not responding to high-dose corticosteroid treatment, decompression of the deep medial orbital wall and floor can rapidly relieve compressive optic neuropathy, as well as alleviate the inflammatory and congestive features of raised orbital pressure.

Changes of saccadic eye movements in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

To establish whether or not the dynamics of saccadic eye movements are significantly changed in patients with different stages of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and, subsequently, if analysis of saccades could serve as an additional diagnostic tool for early detection of inflammatory activity in TAO.

METHODS

Thirty-seven patients with TAO and 10 age- and gender-matched control subjects were investigated. The patients were divided into four groups according to the stage of the disease: (i) early mild disease (n = 10), (ii) early severe disease (n = 11), (iii) long-standing restrictive disease (n = 10) and (iv) proven auto-immune hyperthyroidism without any signs of TAO (n = 6). Horizontal and vertical saccades with amplitudes of 10°, 20°, 30° and 40° were recorded binocularly using the induction scleral search coil technique. The two main sequence constants V(max) and C were calculated for each eye. Repeated measurement analysis of variance was carried out to test for differences between different gaze directions, eyes and groups.

RESULTS

In horizontal saccades, significant differences were found between groups but not between abduction and adduction. In vertical saccades, differences between groups and the interaction between groups and up- and down-gaze saccades were significant. Compared with the control group, analysis of the main sequence curves revealed larger differences in patients of group 3 and 4 than in those of group 1 and 2. Whereas in the control group down-gaze saccades were faster than up-gaze saccades, the opposite behaviour was found in all patient groups. The largest differences were detected among those patients who had no signs of TAO (group 4).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, significant saccade differences were detected in all patients with TAO. In contrast to our earlier studies where evaluation of multiple individual saccade parameters did not reveal significant differences, analysis of the main sequence constants and mathematical reconstruction of the main sequence curves turned out to be a sensitive technique for reliable detection of subtle ocular motility changes. Significant differences were detected even in patients with auto-immune thyroiditis where no clinical signs of TAO were apparent.

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.

Low dose orbital radiotherapy for thyroid eye disease

PURPOSE

The use of low dose orbital radiotherapy for thyroid eye disease (TED) remains controversial. This is a review of patients with TED treated with radiotherapy in our department over the last twelve years.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Fifty-nine consecutive patients received low dose orbital radiotherapy of 20 Gray (Gy) for active TED at the Beatson Oncology Centre. Their records were retrospectively reviewed and data including duration of symptoms, clinical activity score (CAS) pre- and post-orbital radiotherapy, immunosuppression requirement, subjective assessment and range of rehabilitative surgery was collected.

RESULTS

Before orbital radiotherapy, all fifty-nine patients had an initial response to glucocorticoids and therefore presumed to have active phase thyroid eye disease. They received retro-orbital radiotherapy of 20 Gy in 12 fractions over 2 weeks. After treatment, only five patients remained on steroids and only one patient had CAS ≥ 3 at last follow up. Response (change in CAS) to orbital radiotherapy was statistically significant from 3.17 ± 1.75 standard deviation (SD) to 0.73 ± 0.92 SD (P < 0.001) at mean follow up of 6.5 months. There was a reduction in CAS at each subsequent follow up for all subgroups when the patients were grouped according to disease severity i.e. mild TED(CAS 1-2), moderate (CAS 3-4), severe CAS (5-7) and optic neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe orbital radiotherapy has a definite role to play in the treatment of active thyroid eye disease. The majority of our patients experienced a reduction in their clinical activity scores after orbital radiotherapy and this was irrespective of the severity of thyroid eye disease.

The Effect of Methylprednisolone Pulse Treatment on Cytokine Network in Graves Ophthalmopathy

The etiology of Graves ophthalmopathy (GO), representing the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves disease, is multifactorial. Among multiple genetic, environmental, and endogenous factors, cytokines play a critical role in its etiopathogenesis. We studied an effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the serum IL-6, IL-4, and IL-13 levels in 18 GO patients. All the patients presented euthyroid GO with over 4 points according to the CAS classification (range 4-6; mean 4.94). The patients were treated with methylprednisolone (1 g every second day for three times) followed by 6 months oral prednisone (60 mg/day, with gradual reduction). The clinical examination (Clinical Activity Score and the GO severity by modified NOSPECS classification) and measurement of anti-TPO, anti-TG, anti-TSHR (TRAK), IL-6, IL-4, as well as IL-13 serum levels were performed before, after 2 weeks, and after 6 months of the glucocorticoid therapy. Significant serum IL-6 increases (p < 0.001) and moderate serum IL-4 and IL-13 increases (p < 0.05) were found in GO patients compared with healthy controls. After 2 weeks of the therapy, the serum IL-6 levels decreased in majority of the patients, however after 6-month observation, lower serum IL-6 levels were only in 8 patients who seemed to respond clinically to the therapy (mean value of the Clinical Activity Score decreased from 4.5 before the therapy initiation to 1.25 after 6 months of the glucocorticoid therapy). No changes in IL-4 and IL-13 serum levels during the therapy were observed. Statistical analysis revealed a good correlation between serum IL-6 level and the Clinical Activity Score (p < 0.01). Based on the obtained data, we conclude that IL-6 plays an important role in GO. It seems that IL-6 may serve as a useful factor in the inflammatory events of GO.

Thyroid-associated orbitopathy: who and how to treat

Thyroid-associated orbitopathy is the most frequent and troublesome nonthyroidal complication of Graves' disease. It is mandatory to determine whether sight-threatening orbitopathy is present, as this requires prompt and aggressive treatment. Therapies for non-sight-threatening disease range from supportive measures only to medical therapies for active eye disease and surgical rehabilitation for burnt-out disease. Intravenous steroids and orbital radiotherapy are the mainstays of medical therapy. Rehabilitative surgery is frequently a staged process that may involve sequentially: orbital decompression, strabismus surgery, and eyelid procedures. Smoking cessation is recommended at all disease stages. Treatment within a multidisciplinary team consisting of both endocrinologists and ophthalmologists may lead to optimal patient outcomes.

Exophthalmometry values of Turkish adult population and the effect of age, sex, refractive status, and Hertel base values on Hertel readings

PURPOSE

To establish normal exophthalmometry values in the adult Turkish population, and the impact of age, gender, interpupillary distance, Hertel base selection, and refractive status on globe position.

METHODS

Exophthalmometry measurements and refractive status of 2477 subjects were conducted in one tertiary and five primary health care centers. Change of globe position by age, intersex differences in terms of globe position, correlations of Hertel base with exophthalmometry results, and interpupillary distance (IPD) were evaluated. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test determination effect of each variable on final Hertel reading.

RESULTS

Median Hertel reading was 13 mm, and 95% of the population had an upper limit of 17 mm for both eyes. There was a negative correlation between spherical equivalent of refractive status and exophthalmometry results and a weak positive correlation between IPD and exophthalmometry result. Mean Hertel value was found to decrease significantly after the third decade. Hertel base value was found to have moderate linear correlation with Hertel results. A weak correlation was detected with Hertel base/IPD ratio with final Hertel results. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed and only 13% and 20% of change in Hertel values bilaterally were found to be determined by other variables (age, IPD, refractive status, and Hertel base value) for females and males.

CONCLUSIONS

Normative dataset for exophthalmometry results of the Turkish population is established to be used in clinical practice and research. Only 13% to 20% of change in Hertel values was detected to be determined by age, IPD and Hertel base values.

Slow-release lanreotide in Graves' ophthalmopathy: A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

SS analogs are an attractive alternative in treating Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Most of the previous studies were uncontrolled and enrolled few patients. The present study was conducted as a larger scale, prospective, randomized controlled study to determine the effectiveness of a slow-release formulation of lanreotide in GO. Sixty patients with active GO received an im injection every two weeks of either lanreotide 30 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. They were then followed and further treated in the traditional way if necessary. The Clinical Activity Score (CAS) was the primary efficacy criterion. Proptosis, diplopia, corneal erosion or ulcer, visual acuity, extraocular muscle movement and intraocular pressure were also evaluated. At the end of the 12 weeks, the mean CAS was not significantly decreased in the lanreotide group compared to the placebo group. The overall mean difference of proptosis between these two groups also did not reach significance at 12 weeks. Only diplopia at downward gaze had significant improvement for the lanreotide- treated group vs placebo group (p = 0.03). No differences were observed between the two groups compared to other outcome measures. During the 24-month follow-up after the clinical trial, 14 patients received eye surgery in the placebo group compared with 10 patients in the lanreotide group (p = 0.29). Six patients received methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the placebo group and two patients in the lanreotide group (p = 0.25). In conclusion, lanreotide treatment had no significant effects on GO compared with placebo.

Early response to intravenous glucocorticoids for severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy predicts treatment outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The results for 18 consecutive patients with severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) treated with high-dose, pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) are presented in this paper.

METHODS

Eighteen (18) patients with severe TAO, defined as either optic neuropathy, progressive diplopia, or severe soft-tissue swelling accompanied by evidence of NOSPECS class 2b or more severe eye disease, were studied in a prospective, noncontrolled case series. Patients were treated with 1.5 g of intravenous MP, divided over 3 days, followed by a tapering course of oral prednisolone. All patients were examined before treatment, 1 week and 1 month after commencement of treatment and at 2-3 monthly intervals thereafter. Assessment of visual acuity, differential intraocular pressure (IOP), soft-tissue inflammation, diplopia, and exophthalmometry were used to calculate a modified ophthalmopathy index (OI) for each patient at each visit. Median duration of follow-up was 14 months.

RESULTS

A statistically significant reduction in OI following treatment with high-dose MP was observed after 1 week of treatment from 10.8 +/- 3.9 standard deviation (SD) to 8.3 +/- 3.4 (SD) (P < 0.001) and between 1 week and the end of the treatment period (OI, 7.2 +/- 3.4 (SD); P < 0.05). A response occurred in 83% of patients within a week but only 66% maintained this response. There was a significant negative correlation between response to treatment (OI before treatment-OI after treatment) and duration of eye disease (P = 0.034, Spearman correlation).

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose, pulsed intravenous MP is an effective medical treatment for severe TAO. Responders can be identified within the 1st week. Treatment response is inversely related to disease duration.