[Hyperthyroidism in a hospital environment: 5-year evaluation].

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid diseases are an area of particular interest to this Department, constituting 30% of the 3561 patients observed over the last 5 years (when group consultations were set up and outpatient data computerised).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and aetiologies of Hyperthyroidism (HT) in outpatient clinic and characterise diagnostic and therapy practice.

METHODOLOGY

All files of patients diagnosed with HT treated in the department over the last 5 years were reviewed. Of a total of 105 files, 96 were analysed. The data analysed included: demographic data, aetiology of disease, complementary diagnostic test reported, treatment options and follow-up. The data was analysed independently depending on whether 1st consultation occurred before or after 1999. The variables were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, namely frequency and contingency tables for categoric variables and mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Of the patients evaluated, 72% were female and 28% male, with an average age of 50. 49.0% had Graves' Disease (GD); 14.6% toxic multinodular goitre (TMNG); 11.5% autoimmune HT; 10.4% iatrogenic HT; 7.3% subacute thyroiditis and 7.3% toxic adenoma (TA). Medical treatment was 1st option for 92% of patients with GD (40.4% of cases combined with levothyroxine); 5% received 131Iodine treatment and 3% underwent surgery. In this group, 6 months after suspension of medical treatment, 30.4% had suffered a relapse. Of the patients who suffered a relapse, 42% underwent surgery and 28% received 131Iodine treatment. The remaining 30% made a second attempt with synthetic antithyroid drugs. For patients with TMNG, surgery was the 1st treatment option for the majority of patients (78.5%), followed by 131Iodine (14.2%). 70% of patients with toxic adenoma underwent surgery and 30% 131Iodine treatment. For other pathologies, namely autoimmune HT, iatrogenic HT and subacute thyroiditis, the option was medical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 3.5% of patients observed as outpatients in this Department. GD was the most prevalent form of HT (49%). Medical treatment is the first treatment option (92%) for GD. 6 months after suspension of medical treatment, 30% of patients had suffered a relapse of GD. For these patients, surgery was the 1st option. For both TMNG and TA, surgery was the first treatment option.

COMPLICATIONS

The adverse effects that occurred with ATDs (antithyroid drugs) were detected in 4,1% patients; one case of agranulocytosis with propylthiouracil, 2 cases of allergic reactions--rash (one due to the use of methimazole and the other to propylthiouracil), and one case of minor hepatocellular toxicity. In all patients there was improvement after stopping medical treatment.