Epidemiology and clinical features of thyroid-associated orbitopathy in Accra

Edith Ackuaku-Dogbe, Josephine Akpalu, Benjamin Abaidoo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PURPOSE: Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), a clinical manifestation of Graves' disease, is an autoimmune disorder of the orbital and periorbital tissue. Data on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of TAO in Africa are generally scarce and unavailable in Ghana. We investigated the epidemiology and clinical features of TAO among patients with thyroid disorders attending the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with thyroid disorders which was conducted at the endocrine and orbital clinics of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Diagnosis was based on clinical features and confirmed by a thyroid function test. Data collected and analyzed included demography, systemic and ocular features of thyroid disorder, and thyroid function tests. RESULTS: Of the 194 patients with thyroid disorders recruited, 117 (60.30%) had TAO. The mean age was 45.22 years (standard deviation: 13.90). The male:female ratio was 1:4.45. The most common ocular symptoms were 'bulging eyes' (76/65.00%) and 'puffy eyelid' (62/53.00%), and the common signs were eyelid retraction (97/82.91%) and proptosis (80/68.38%). Mild TAO was diagnosed in 64.96% of patients with only 6.84% having the severe form. The outcomes of the thyroid function test, thyroid disorder, and severity of TAO did not record any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology is similar to those reported from other parts of the world, but the ocular presentation seems to be milder than in Caucasians.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-189
Number of pages7
JournalMiddle East African Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Goiter
  • Graves' disease
  • ophthalmopathy
  • thyroid
  • thyroid-associated orbitopathy

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