Survey on selenium clinical supplementation in autoimmune thyroid disease.

Objective: Previous trials show that selenium could be a very useful tool in the control and treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases. In this cross-sectional study, through a survey, we aim to evaluate Portuguese endocrinologists' perception and pattern of prescription of selenium supplements in these diseases and verify its agreement with current guidelines. Methods: The endocrinologists registered in the Portuguese Medical Association were sent an email with a web-based questionnaire, regarding their knowledge and use of selenium supplements in thyroid autoimmune pathology. Results: A total of 105 physicians (33% of the total) submitted the survey. The selenium serum concentration in the general population was unknown to 80% of respondents. Over a third of respondents have never prescribed selenium for autoimmune thyroid disease. However, 89% are not afraid of recommending it, and 61% indicate Graves' orbitopathy as the pathology they would supplement. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 36% of respondents use selenium occasionally or frequently, and this percentage rises to 60% in Graves' disease. Conclusions: Although recommendations only encompass mild Graves' orbitopathy, selenium is prescribed across the spectrum of autoimmune thyroid diseases, probably due to recent studies that consistently show improvement of biochemical hallmarks in these patients. Further investigation is required on the impact of selenium supplements on primarily clinical outcomes and to identify disorders and/or patients who will benefit the most. Also, there is still insufficient knowledge of this field in the medical community, and evidence-based practice should continue to be promoted by endocrinology societies.

Long-term follow-up of surgical treatment of thyroid-associated orbitopathy restrictive strabismus.

Objective: Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) is the most frequent cause of extraocular muscle enlargement, with consecutive restrictive strabismus. The main muscles involved are inferior and medial rectus, resulting in horizontal esotropia and/or vertical strabismus. Surgery may either establish or improve binocular single vision. The aim of the present study is to describe long-term follow-up of patients who underwent horizontal or vertical TAO strabismus surgery. Methods: This observational retrospective study included 29 patients suffering from either vertical or horizontal TAO strabismus and diplopia, of whom 11 underwent bilateral medial recti muscle recession (Group A) and 18 underwent unilateral inferior rectus muscle recession (Group B). The endpoint of the study was the assessment of changes in deviation angle and diplopia across four time points (baseline, 7 days, 6 months, and 24 months) in each group. Results: In Group A, the horizontal deviation angle significantly decreased 7 days after intervention (p < 0.001), without modifications overtime. In Group B, both deviation angles in primary and down-gaze position significantly decreased from baseline, both 7 days after surgery (p < 0.001) and at 6 months (p = 0.040). An overcorrection, with an inversion of vertical deviation angle, was observed across the different time points. Conclusions: Horizontal TAO strabismus correction leads to significant improvements of deviation angle and diplopia, with a stable undercorrection overtime. Inferior rectus recession leads to more unstable results, with a trend towards overcorrection limited to the first 6 months after surgery.

Topical anaesthesia in strabismus surgery for Graves' orbitopathy: a comparative study of 111 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the tolerability and usability of topical anaesthesia in single rectus muscle recession for strabismus caused by Graves' orbitopathy (GO). To compare the perioperative pain score and surgical outcome between GO patients and non-GO patients. METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of consecutive single rectus muscle recession performed under topical anaesthesia was carried out. All patients scheduled for one-stage single rectus muscle recession under topical anaesthesia were included. Numerical visual analogue pain score scale (NVAS) points, rates of motor success (horizontal deviation < 8 prism diopters (PD) and vertical deviation ≤ 6 PD) and sensory success (no diplopia without prisms), complications and postoperative adjustment frequencies were compared between GO and non-GO patients. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were included. The mean perioperative pain scores were 2.3 (SD ± 1.3) in GO and 1.6 (SD ± 1.1) in non-GO patients (p = 0.06 adjusted for gender). The postoperative mean alignments in GO and non-GO patients were 2 versus 3 PD horizontally and 1 versus 1 PD vertically respectively. Both motor and sensory success rates were 98% in GO patients and 94% versus 93% in non-GO patients. Adjustments as a second procedure the day after surgery was performed in 10% of the GO patients and 15% of the non-GO patients. The oculocardiac reflex was not triggered in any of the GO patients. CONCLUSION: Topical anaesthesia in single muscle recession for GO is safe, well-tolerated and gives comparable surgical outcomes to those achieved in non-GO patients.

Gypenosides Protect Orbital Fibroblasts in Graves Ophthalmopathy via Anti-Inflammation and Anti-Fibrosis Effects.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Gypenosides (Gyps) on the inflammation and fibrosis in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in Graves ophthalmopathy (GO). Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the enriched genes and signaling pathways related to Gyps function. For ex vivo experiments, OFs were cultured from orbital connective tissues from patients with GO. OF proliferation was estimated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Effects of Gyps treatment on interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced inflammation and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-induced fibrosis were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blotting. OFs were treated with IL-1ß or TGF-ß1 in the absence or presence of Gyps pretreatment, and the levels of related mRNA or proteins were evaluated by RT-qPCR or ELISA. Results: Eight inflammation-related target genes and nine fibrosis-related target genes were screened out. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways corresponding to inflammation and fibrosis, respectively. IL-1ß-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and TGF-ß-induced upregulation of fibrotic mediators in OFs were downregulated by Gyps. Moreover, Gyps reduced the activation of Toll like receptors 4/nuclear factor-κ B signaling and TGF-ß1/SMAD2/SMAD4 signaling in GO OFs. Conclusions: Gyps could protect GO-derived OFs against IL-1ß-induced inflammation and TGF-ß1-induced fibrosis. Thus Gyps might have therapeutic potential on inflammation and fibrosis in GO.

Salzmann's nodular degeneration of cornea associated with thyroid eye disease.

Salzmann's nodular degeneration (SND) typically occurs in patients who are female, 50-60 years old, and have a history of corneal inflammation and irritation. Multiple case reports have documented associations between SND and trachoma, viral infections, trauma, contact lens wear, corneal surgeries and corneal exposure. The authors describe a patient with bilateral SND confirmed by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging in the context of thyroid eye disease (TED) and history of LASIK. Treatment involved propylthiouracil (PTU), artificial tear use, loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel, eyelid taping and selenium supplementation and prospective superficial keratectomy with diamond burr polish.

Conjuntivitis recurrente de causa no aclarada. ¿Hipertiroidismo? / Recurrent conjunctivitis of unknown origin. Hyperthyroidism?

El hipertiroidismo en la infancia es muy infrecuente; en la mayoría de los casos es de origen autoinmune (enfermedad de Graves). La tríada clásica se compone de bocio, oftalmopatía y dermatopatía. Su presentación clínica en la edad pediátrica es muy variable y de comienzo habitualmente insidioso, lo que en muchas ocasiones conlleva una demora en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 12 años que consulta por una conjuntivitis crónica bilateral refractaria a tratamientos tópicos habituales, que finalmente fue derivada al Servicio de Endocrinología Pediátrica ante la sospecha de oftalmopatía de Graves (AU)

Hyperthyroidism in childhood is a very rare condition, and in most cases of autoimmune etiology (Graves’ disease). The classic triad consists of goiter, ophthalmopathy and dermopathy. Clinical presentation in children is highly variable and often with an insidious onset, which on many occasions may cause a delay on its diagnosis and treatment. A case is reported here where a 12-year-old patient, who showed a refractory bilateral chronic conjunctivitis refractary to topical usual treatments, was finally referred to the Pediatric Endocrinology Department due to the likelihood of her suffering from Graves' ophthalmopathy (AU)

Euthyroid Graves' orbitopathy and incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Euthyroid Graves' orbitopathy (GO) combined with incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma has rarely been reported. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old Caucasian woman initially presented with progressive fatigue, exophthalmos, and thyroid function tests within normal limits. She underwent thyroidectomy, was found to have two incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinomas, and received radioactive iodine ablation to eliminate thyroid antigen. In addition to following her eye disease, TSH-receptor antibodies, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins, and serum thyroglobulin measurements were recorded, demonstrating no evidence of thyroid cancer at four-year follow-up. At first, she had mild GO, developing into moderate-to-severe GO, and at 4 years she had Hertel measurements of 20 mm in both eyes. CONCLUSION: This report underscores the difficulty of managing GO even when thyroid function is normal(ized) and thyroid antigen exposure has been minimized. In addition, it illustrates why antithyroidal antibodies should be considered in cases of concomitant papillary thyroid cancer, as thyroid cells can be stimulated not only by TSH but also by TSH-receptor stimulating antibodies.

[Intraoperative adjustable strabismus surgery under drop anesthesia in patients with Graves' orbitopathy]. / Cirurgia de estrabismo ajustável no peroperatório com anestesia tópica em pacientes com orbitopatia de Graves.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features of strabismus associated with Graves' orbitopathy, and the results of surgery with adjustable suture under drop anesthesia. METHODS: The charts of 13 patients who had surgical treatment for strabismus related to Graves' orbitopathy at Hospital das Clínicas of University of São Paulo were retrospectively reviewed. Ocular motility, sensorial examination and the follow-up after strabismus correction were studied. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the most common type of deviation was esotropia with hypotropia. Adjustable recession was done in nine patients and a second surgery occurred in 3 patients. After follow-up of at least six months, 8 of 13 patients were orthotropic or had a small phoria with some degree of binocular vision. CONCLUSION: In this study, 62% (8/13) of patients showed hypotropia with esotropia, probably because fibrotic and restrictive muscles (medial and inferior rectus). In nine of 13 patients adjustable recession with a good postoperative alignment of the eyes was performed. Adjustment of strabismus surgery under drop anesthesia in patients with Graves' orbitopathy was successful in restoring binocular vision with minimum complications.

Cirurgia de estrabismo ajustável no peroperatório com anestesia tópica em pacientes com orbitopatia de Graves / Intraoperative adjustable strabismus surgery under drop anesthesia in patients with Graves' orbitopathy

OBJETIVO: Descrever as características clínicas pré-operatórias dos pacientes com estrabismo secundário à orbitopatia de Graves e os resultados da cirurgia com anestesia tópica e sutura ajustável. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Foram pesquisados os prontuários de todos os pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de estrabismo no período de março de 1994 a maio de 2004. Destes, foram separados aqueles com estrabismo associado à orbitopatia de Graves submetidos à cirurgia ajustável com anestesia tópica. As características clínicas pré-operatórias e os resultados cirúrgicos foram levantados a partir desta análise. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 13 pacientes. O tipo de desvio mais freqüentemente encontrado foi esotropia com hipotropia. Em 9 pacientes modificou-se o retrocesso programado no pré-operatório. Três casos necessitaram de uma segunda cirurgia. Após 6 meses de seguimento, 8 dos 13 pacientes estavam ortotrópicos ou com foria pequena e com algum grau de estereopsia. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo observou-se que 62 por cento (8/13) dos pacientes apresentavam hipotropia com esotropia, provavelmente por causa do comprometimento associado do reto inferior e reto medial. Nove dos 13 pacientes necessitaram de ajuste no peroperatório e apenas 3 foram reoperados, indicando a importância da técnica ajustável para melhor alinhamento ocular no pós-operatório, possibilitando obter resultados mais satisfatórios.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features of strabismus associated with Graves' orbitopathy, and the results of surgery with adjustable suture under drop anesthesia. METHODS: The charts of 13 patients who had surgical treatment for strabismus related to Graves' orbitopathy at Hospital das Clínicas of University of São Paulo were retrospectively reviewed. Ocular motility, sensorial examination and the follow-up after strabismus correction were studied. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the most common type of deviation was esotropia with hypotropia. Adjustable recession was done in nine patients and a second surgery occurred in 3 patients. After follow-up of at least six months, 8 of 13 patients were orthotropic or had a small phoria with some degree of binocular vision. CONCLUSION: In this study, 62 percent (8/13) of patients showed hypotropia with esotropia, probably because fibrotic and restrictive muscles (medial and inferior rectus). In nine of 13 patients adjustable recession with a good postoperative alignment of the eyes was performed. Adjustment of strabismus surgery under drop anesthesia in patients with Graves' orbitopathy was successful in restoring binocular vision with minimum complications.