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Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Objective
The optimal corticosteroid treatment regimen for subacute thyroiditis has not yet been established. To avoid side effects, tapering of the initial dose of corticosteroid is recommended. With reducing dose, the symptoms can recur.
Design
In a prospective clinical study, a 30-day methylprednisolone (MPSL) treatment protocol with a starting dose of 24 mg/day and tapered by 4 mg every 5 days was assessed for effectiveness and safety regarding possible adrenal insufficiency.
Methods
Fifty-nine patients with subacute thyroiditis were included. At visit 1, after establishing the diagnosis, a short stimulation adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) test was performed and methylprednisolone treatment was prescribed. At visit 2 (40 ± 5 days after visit 1), clinical, laboratory (including short stimulation ACTH test), and ultrasound evaluation were repeated.
Results
Forty-eight patients (81.4%) were cured by the prescribed protocol, having significantly lower cortisol levels after stimulation at visit 1 than patients who were not cured (mean, 674.9 nmol/L and 764.0 nmol/L, respectively, P = 0.012). Seven patients (12.3%) developed adrenal insufficiency; this group had significantly lower cortisol levels after stimulation at visit 1 than patients without adrenal insufficiency development (mean, 561.5 nmol/L and 704.7 nmol/L, respectively, P = 0.005). Using stimulated cortisol level at visit 1 as the explanatory variable, logistic models were optimized to determine treatment efficacy (AUC = 0.745, optimal threshold 729 nmol/L, specificity 71%, sensitivity 73%) and adrenal function (AUC = 0.861, optimal threshold 629 nmol/L, specificity 73%, sensitivity 100%).
Conclusions
The described protocol was efficient for more than 80% of patients. Using this protocol, the corticosteroid treatment interval is shorter than proposed in current guidelines.
Significance statement
A short but effective protocol for treatment of subacute thyroiditis with methylprednisolone is presented in this article. Using this protocol, the treatment interval is shorter than proposed in current guidelines. Its safety regarding possible adrenal insufficiency is assessed.
