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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.
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
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School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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Department of Clinical Nutrition, Landspitali-National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Goldman School of Medicine, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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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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Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Frölunda Specialist Hospital, Västra Frölunda, Sweden
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Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Wallenberg Centre of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Objective
Registers of diagnoses and treatments exist in different forms in the European countries and are potential sources to answer important research questions. Prevalence and incidence of thyroid diseases are highly dependent on iodine intake and, thus, iodine deficiency disease prevention programs. We aimed to collect European register data on thyroid outcomes to compare the rates between countries/regions with different iodine status and prevention programs.
Design
Register-based cross-sectional study.
Methods
National register data on thyroid diagnoses and treatments were requested from 23 European countries/regions. The provided data were critically assessed for suitability for comparison between countries/regions. Sex- and age-standardized rates were calculated.
Results
Register data on ≥1 thyroid diagnoses or treatments were available from 22 countries/regions. After critical assessment, data on medication, surgery, and cancer were found suitable for comparison between 9, 10, and 13 countries/regions, respectively. Higher rates of antithyroid medication and thyroid surgery for benign disease and lower rates of thyroid hormone therapy were found for countries with iodine insufficiency before approx. 2001, and no relationship was observed with recent iodine intake or prevention programs.
Conclusions
The collation of register data on thyroid outcomes from European countries is impeded by a high degree of heterogeneity in the availability and quality of data between countries. Nevertheless, a relationship between historic iodine intake and rates of treatments for hyper- and hypothyroid disorders is indicated. This study illustrates both the challenges and the potential for the application of register data of thyroid outcomes across Europe.
