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Cited by 249Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsOphthalmology and Eye DisordersThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 65 of the 66 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Antithyroid drug regimen for treating Graves’ hyperthyroidism

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Abraham, Prakash, Avenell, Alison, McGeoch, Susan C, Clark, Louise F, Bevan, John S·2010·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd003420.pub4PMC PMC6599817
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Antithyroid drugs are widely used in the therapy of hyperthyroidism. There are wide variations in the dose, regimen or duration of treatment used by health professionals. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of dose, regimen and duration of antithyroid drug therapy for Graves' hyperthyroidism. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched seven databases and reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of antithyroid medication for Graves' hyperthyroidism. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Pooling of data for primary outcomes, and select exploratory analyses were undertaken. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six randomised trials involving 3388 participants were included. Overall the quality of trials, as reported, was poor. None of the studies investigated incidence of hypothyroidism, changes in weight, health-related quality of life, ophthalmopathy progression or economic outcomes. Four trials examined the effect of duration of therapy on relapse rates, and when using the titration regimen 12 months was superior to six months, but there was no benefit in extending treatment beyond 18 months. Twelve trials examined the effect of block-replace versus titration block-regimens. The relapse rates were similar in both groups at 51% in the block-replace group and 54% in the titration block-group (OR 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to1.08) though adverse effects (rashes (10% versus 6%) and withdrawing due to side effects (16% versus 9%)) were significantly higher in the block-replace group. Three studies considered the addition of thyroxine with continued low dose antithyroid therapy after initial therapy with antithyroid drugs. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies and the difference between the two groups was not significant (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.05 to 6.21). Four studies considered the addition of thyroxine alone after initial therapy with antithyroid drugs. There was no significant difference in the relapse rates between the groups after 12 months follow-up (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.67). Two studies considered the addition of immunosuppressive agents. The results which were in favour of the interventions would need to be validated in other populations. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that the optimal duration of antithyroid drug therapy for the titration regimen is 12 to 18 months. The titration (low dose) regimen had fewer adverse effects than the block-replace (high dose) regimen and was no less effective. Continued thyroxine treatment following initial antithyroid therapy does not appear to provide any benefit in terms of recurrence of hyperthyroidism. Immunosuppressive therapies need further evaluation.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Reinwein, 1993, A prospective randomized trial of antithyroid drug dose in Graves' disease therap, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 76, 1516
  2. Tuncel, 2000, Effects of antithyroid drugs alone and plus L-thyroxine on the relapse of Graves disease, Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 23, A71

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Metadata

Authors
Abraham, P., Avenell, A., McGeoch, S. C., Clark, L. F., & Bevan, J. S.
Affiliations
  • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (GB)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
  • NHS Grampian (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-01-20
Volume
2010
Issue
1
Pages
CD003420-CD003420
ISSN
  • 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-1858
DOI
10.1002/14651858.cd003420.pub4
PMC
PMC6599817
OpenAlex
W2167716419
Cited by
249
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 7
FWCI
1.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
Graves' disease, Graves' hyperthyroidism, antithyroid drugs, treatment duration, relapse rate, immunosuppressants, adverse drug reactions, hypothyroidism, ophthalmopathy, health-related quality of life, economic outcomes
MeSH terms
Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Graves Disease, Humans, Hyperthyroidism, Male, Antithyroid Agents, Thyroxine, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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