[Prognostic value of anti-TSH receptor antibodies in Basedow's disease treated with carbimazole].

In order to precise their prognostic value, the anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRAK) have been measured in 70 cases of Graves' disease treated with carbimazole. Results (expressed in percentage of inhibition of labeled TSH binding) were grouped into 7 mean values: before treatment, from 15 days to 3 months, from 3 to 12 months, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th years. For all cases together, a progressive decrease was observed: 40, 37, 29, 19, 14, 10, 7 p. 100. In 16 cases with good outcome, the mean values are significantly lower than those of 29 cases with bad outcome, respectively: 33 vs 46, 29 vs 43, 17 vs 30, 12 vs 27, 11 vs 22, 3 vs 15, 1 vs 11 p. 100. The TRAK titers at whatever t time are correlated to the clinical state at t + 2 years: about 30 p. 100 relapses if the TRAK titer is less than 10 p. 100; about 80 p. 100 relapses if it is 80 p. 100. So, the anti-TSH receptor antibodies have their place among the prognostic parameters of Graves' disease treated with carbimazole.