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The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Sep 2013Several treatment options are available for Graves' disease (GD), including antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), and thyroidectomy. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
Several treatment options are available for Graves' disease (GD), including antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), and thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The primary outcome was to determine the relapse rates of various treatment options. The secondary outcome was to present data regarding adverse effects of ATDs.
DATA SOURCES
We searched multiple databases through March 2012.
STUDY SELECTION
Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials and comparative cohort studies in adults that included 2 or more treatment options for GD.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two reviewers independently selected studies, appraised study quality, extracted outcome data, and determined adverse effect profiles.
DATA SYNTHESIS
We found 8 studies with 1402 patients from 5 continents. Mean follow-up duration in months was: ATDs, 57; RAI, 64; and surgery, 59. Studies were at moderate to high risk of bias. Network meta-analysis suggested higher relapse rates with ATDs (52.7%; 352 of 667) than RAI (15%, 46 of 304) (odds ratio = 6.25; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-16.67) and with ATDs than surgery (10%; 39 of 387) (odds ratio = 9.09; 95% confidence interval, 4.65-19.23). There was no significant difference in relapse between RAI and surgery. Examination of 31 cohort studies identified adverse effects of ATDs in 692 of 5136 (13%) patients. These were more common with methimazole, mainly owing to dermatological complications, whereas hepatic effects were more common with propylthiouracil use.
CONCLUSION
We confirm the relatively high relapse rate of ATD therapy in comparison with RAI or surgery, along with a significant side effect profile for these drugs. These data can inform discussion between physicians and patients regarding the choice of therapy for GD. The limited quality of the evidence in the literature underlines the need for future randomized clinical trials in this area.
Topics: Antithyroid Agents; Databases, Factual; Female; Graves Disease; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Male; Recurrence; Thyroidectomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 23824415
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-1954 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2011Randomised clinical trials have addressed the question whether propylthiouracil has any beneficial effects in patients with alcoholic liver disease. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Randomised clinical trials have addressed the question whether propylthiouracil has any beneficial effects in patients with alcoholic liver disease.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of propylthiouracil for patients with alcoholic liver disease.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (April 2011), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library (April 2011), MEDLINE (1948 to April 2011), EMBASE (1980 to April 2011), and Science Citation Index Expanded (1900 to April 2011). These electronic searches were combined with full text searches. Manufacturers and researchers in the field were also contacted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised clinical trials studying patients with alcoholic steatosis, alcoholic fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and/or alcoholic cirrhosis were included irrespective of blinding, publication status, or language. Interventions encompassed propylthiouracil at any dose versus placebo or no intervention.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
All analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat method in RevMan Analyses. The risk of bias of the randomised clinical trials was evaluated by bias risk domains such as generation of allocation sequence, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, academic bias, and source of funding.
MAIN RESULTS
Combining the results of six randomised clinical trials with high risk of bias which included 710 patients demonstrated no significant effects of propylthiouracil versus placebo on all-cause mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 1.30), liver-related mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.40), or complications of the liver disease. Although propylthiouracil was not associated with a significant increased risk of non-serious adverse events, there were occasional instances of serious adverse events such as leukopenia and generalised bullous eruption.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We could not demonstrate any significant beneficial effect of propylthiouracil on all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, liver complications, or liver histology of patients with alcoholic liver disease. Propylthiouracil was associated with adverse events. Confidence intervals were wide. Thus, the risk of random errors and systematic errors was high. Accordingly, there is no evidence for using propylthiouracil for alcoholic liver disease outside randomised clinical trials.
Topics: Antimetabolites; Cause of Death; Humans; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Propylthiouracil; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 21678335
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002800.pub3 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2010Women with hyperthyroidism in pregnancy have increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction; and they can develop severe... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Women with hyperthyroidism in pregnancy have increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction; and they can develop severe pre-eclampsia or placental abruption.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of interventions for preventing or treating hyperthyroidism in pregnant women.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (28 July 2010).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We intended to include randomised controlled trials comparing antithyroid treatments in pregnant women with hyperthyroidism.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors would have assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
No trials were located.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
As we did not identify any eligible trials, we are unable to comment on implications for practice, although early identification of hyperthyroidism before pregnancy may allow a woman to choose radioactive iodine therapy or surgery before planning to have a child. Designing and conducting a trial of antithyroid drugs for pregnant women with hyperthyroidism presents formidable challenges. Not only is hyperthyroidism a relatively rare condition, both of the two main drugs used have potential for harm, one for the mother and the other for the child. More observational research is required about the potential harms of methimazole in early pregnancy and about the potential liver damage from propylthiouracil.
Topics: Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 20824882
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008633.pub2 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Jul 2010Hyperthyroidism is characterised by high levels of serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The main causes of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hyperthyroidism is characterised by high levels of serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The main causes of hyperthyroidism are Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goitre, and toxic adenoma. About 20 times more women than men have hyperthyroidism.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of drug treatments for primary hyperthyroidism? What are the effects of surgical treatments for primary hyperthyroidism? What are the effects of treatments for subclinical hyperthyroidism? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to February 2010 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 15 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: adding thyroxine to antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, and thiamazole), antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, and thiamazole), radioactive iodine, and thyroidectomy.
Topics: Antithyroid Agents; Graves Disease; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Incidence; Methimazole; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 21418670
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Mar 2008Hyperthyroidism is characterised by high levels of serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The main causes of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hyperthyroidism is characterised by high levels of serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The main causes of hyperthyroidism are Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goitre, and toxic adenoma. About 20 times more women than men have hyperthyroidism.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of drug treatments for primary hyperthyroidism? What are the effects of surgical treatments for primary hyperthyroidism? What are the effects of treatments for subclinical hyperthyroidism? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to June 2007 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 14 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: adding thyroxine to antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, and thiamazole), antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, and thiamazole), radioactive iodine, and thyroidectomy.
Topics: Antithyroid Agents; Graves Disease; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Incidence; Methimazole; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 19450325
DOI: No ID Found