Age and gender influence on clinical manifestations of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a case series of 2479 Chinese patients

BackgroundSignificant individual differences exist in the clinical manifestations of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Age and gender have an impact on the presentation and severity of TAO.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical characteristics of TAO patients, with particular consideration of their age and gender.MethodsDemographic and clinical data of 2479 TAO patients were collected. Patients were divided into 7 groups based on age: Group 1: ≤18 years old; Group 2: 19-29 years old; Group 3: 30-39 years old; Group 4: 40-49 years old; Group 5: 50-59 years old; Group 6: 60-69 years old; Group 7: ≥70 years old. Compared clinical manifestations among different groups and between males and females.ResultIn age group 1, the ratio of female to male TAO patients was 3.79, and in age group 7, it was 0.86. As age increased, there was a decline in the percentage of females (γ=-0.168, p