Search

Background:In agreement with the systemic nature of Graves' disease, Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) presents as a symmetric bilateral eye disease in the vast majority of patients. However, asymmetric involvement of both eyes is frequently observed. We hypothesized that sleeping position might be involved in asymmetric GO; when, for example, the preferred sleeping position is on the right side, retrobulbar pressure might be somewhat higher in the right than in the left orbit, resulting in more severe eye changes in the right eye.Methods:A prospective study in 75 consecutive untreated patients with GO, in whom eye changes and sleeping position were assessed independent of each other. Criteria for asymmetric eye changes were differences between both eyes in the presence of retrobulbar pain or of ≥1 grade in soft tissue involvement, and/or of ≥2 mm in exophthalmos, and/or ≥8° in elevation. Preferred sleeping position was determined by questionnaire.Results:All patients had bilateral GO. Eye changes were symmetrical in 50 patients, and asymmetrical in 25 patients based on differences in proptosis and elevation. Sleeping position did not differ between symmetric and asymmetric GO. Preferred sleeping position was on the left side in 23; on the right side in 31; and on the back, on the belly, or unknown in 46. In patients with asymmetric GO, the most affected (“worst”) eye was not related to preferred sleeping position on the right or left side.Conclusion:Slight asymmetry of eye changes between both eyes in patients with bilateral GO is not related to preferred sleeping position on either the right or left side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Intravenous methylprednisolone pulses (IVMP) are more efficacious and better tolerated than oral prednisone in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) patients. However, acute and severe liver damage has been reported in sporadic cases during IVMP, resulting in fatal acute liver failure in four patients so far. The mechanism causing the liver damage is incompletely understood. Design:We performed a prospective observational study in 13 patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (group A) and in 14 patients with moderately severe GO (group B) who were treated with high-dose (group A) or low-dose (group B) IVMP; cumulative steroid doses were 8.45 g in group A and 4.5 g in group B, and follow-up time was 24 weeks. Main outcome:Slight increases in serum aminotransferases (in alanine aminotransferase ALAT more than in aspartate aminotransferase ASAT) were observed, in seven patients exceeding the upper normal limit of 40 U/L. These changes were more prominent in group A than in group B as was also evident from a decrease in ASAT/ALAT ratio in group A but not in group B. Changes in serum aminotransferases occurred especially in the first 6 weeks of IVMP, becoming smaller thereafter with the decrease in steroid dosage. Pretreatment liver steatosis or diabetes were not related to liver damage, but preexistent viral hepatitis was. Conclusion:IVMP in GO patients causes dose-dependent liver damage by a direct toxic effect of glucocorticoids on hepatocytes. Nevertheless, IVMP seems to be pretty safe if cumulative doses exceeding 8 g are avoided and liver function is checked before and at regular intervals during pulse therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]