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PurposeTo describe the effect of tocilizumab in two patients with thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO).ObservationsWe present two patients with TAO who could not tolerate corticosteroids and had a reduction in clinical and laboratory markers of inflammatory activity with subsequent tocilizumab therapy.Conclusions and importanceThe IL-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab is a promising candidate for the treatment of TAO because it selectively targets a key inflammatory mediator and has a favorable side effect profile. Our report demonstrates that tocilizumab can achieve further reduction in inflammatory activity after treatment with corticosteroids. Importantly, we and others have observed a decrease in the level of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) with tocilizumab treatment. This suggests an upstream effect in the inflammatory cascade. Although the impact of tocilizumab on long-term outcome is unknown at this time, we believe that early disruption of the inflammatory process may prevent late complications and decrease the need for rehabilitative surgery.

Background: Thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO) is the principal extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease (GD). TAO is described as chronic inflammation of orbital and periorbital tissue. Environmental risk factors variably influence development of TAO and risk factors vary with ethnicity and geographical region. Aims: To evaluate the clinical factors for TAO in patients with GD. Setting and Design: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study done on consecutive 76 newly diagnosed patients of GD documented by thyroid 99mTechnetium-pertechnetate scan. Materials and Methods: Patients were subjected to complete clinical workup and thyroid profile. The diagnosis of TAO was based on the criteria of Bartley and Gorman. Fifty two TAO patients were compared with twenty four non TAO patients (controls) for risk. Statistical Analysis Used: All analyses were performed with SPSS software (version 21.0). Results: TAO was present in 52 (68%) of patients with GD. TAO was bilateral in 50 (96%) of patients. Majority of patients had mild orbitopathy 34 (65.4%) and none of the patients showed any signs of sight-threatening disease. Clinical activity score (CAS) was active in 13.5% of the study group. There was significant female preponderance in TAO. Current smoking increased the risk of TAO (P = 0.023). Total triiodothyronine (T3) and mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary and upward gaze was significantly elevated at baseline in TAO patients. Braley's sign was seen in 30.7% of patients with TAO and in 8.3% of patients in the control group (P = 0.033). Current smoking, total T3 > 4ng/dl and differential IOP > 6 mmHg were found to be associated with risk of TAO. Conclusion: TAO was clinically inactive and of mild severity in most cases. This study identified current smoking, total T3 > 4 ng/dl and differential IOP > 6 mmHg as risk factors for TAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the effect of tocilizumab in two patients with thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO). Observations: We present two patients with TAO who could not tolerate corticosteroids and had a reduction in clinical and laboratory markers of inflammatory activity with subsequent tocilizumab therapy. Conclusions and importance: The IL-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab is a promising candidate for the treatment of TAO because it selectively targets a key inflammatory mediator and has a favorable side effect profile. Our report demonstrates that tocilizumab can achieve further reduction in inflammatory activity after treatment with corticosteroids. Importantly, we and others have observed a decrease in the level of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) with tocilizumab treatment. This suggests an upstream effect in the inflammatory cascade. Although the impact of tocilizumab on long-term outcome is unknown at this time, we believe that early disruption of the inflammatory process may prevent late complications and decrease the need for rehabilitative surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the tear function tests and the ocular surface damage in Graves' disease (GD) patients either with or without thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO). Methods: Forty-two eyes of 21 randomly selected patients with GD, and 30 eyes of 15 healthy subjects were included in this prospective study. The presence of TAO was evaluated clinically. The palpebral fissure height, degree of proptosis, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer tear test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and conjunctival impression cytology were assessed. The results were first compared between the patient and the control groups. Results were then compared between the patients with TAO (group I) and without TAO (group II). Results: The mean OSDI score in the patient group was 44.79 ± 11.83 and it was 21.17 ± 9.89 in the control group ( p = 0.001). The mean Schirmer tear test score was 14.4 ± 8.32 mm and 24.9 ± 3.57 mm in the patient and control group, respectively ( p = 0.001). The mean TBUT in the patient group was 7.1 sec. In the control group it was significantly increased to 10 sec ( p = 0.003). The mean proptosis and interpalpebral distance did not show any difference between the GD patients and controls ( p > 0.05). The patients with GD showed significant ocular surface damage in which 75.71% had grade 2-3 squamous metaplasia in temporal interpalpebral conjunctiva. Twenty-four (57%) eyes composed group I. There were no differences in the mean OSDI score, Schirmer tear test score, TBUT, and the amount of ocular surface damage between group I and group II ( p > 0.05). Conclusions: Dry eye findings and the ocular surface damage in GD were most likely associated with the ocular surface inflammation. Before the development of the classic findings of TAO, ocular surface inflammation can be the only presenting clinical sign in GD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]