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Patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease have a low quality of life
The background of the study. Patients with hyperthyroidism
have symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, and weakness that are
likely to decrease their quality of life. In this study, quality
of life and psychologic symptoms were assessed in patients with
hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease.
How the study was done. The study subjects were 30 patients (29 women, 1 man) with Graves’ hyperthyroidism and 34 normal subjects. Quality of life was determined with the Short-Form Health Status Survey (SF-36), a depression scale, and a mania scale. The patients were treated with methimazole, and the SF-36 was administered again 4 and 12 months later.
The results of the study. At diagnosis, the patients’ scores on seven of the eight components of the SF-36 (physical functioning, physical role limits, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role limitation, and mental health) were lower than those of the normal subjects, and they had higher depression and anxiety scores. There was no correlation between the SF-36 scores and serum thyroid hormone concentrations. At 4 months, by which time the patients were euthyroid, most had normal or nearly normal scores, and there was further improvement at 12 months.
The conclusions of the study. Health-related quality of life is decreased in patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism, and it improves with antithyroid drug therapy.
The original article. Elberling TV, Rasmussen AK, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Hording M, Perrild H, Waldemar G. Impaired health-related quality of life in Graves’ disease: a prospective study. Eur J Endocrinol 2004;151:549-55.
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | March 2005 Thyroid Digest |
