What to do for moderate-to-severe and active Graves' orbitopathy if glucocorticoids fail? 2010

Luigi Bartalena
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Insubria, Division of Endocrinology, Ospedale di Circolo, Varese, Italy. luigi.bartalena@uninsubria.it

Treatment of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a major challenge, and the outcome of medical therapy is unsatisfactory in about one-third of cases. Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapy for moderate-to-severe and active GO, more commonly given through the intravenous route. Uncertainty remains as to the best therapeutic approach when the initial glucocorticoid treatment provides an incomplete response or no response. The choice largely depends on personal experience because of the limited evidence in this field. In the author's view, if a first course of glucocorticoids provides a suboptimal response, a second course of intravenous (or oral) glucocorticoids associated with orbital radiotherapy should be given. An alternative might be represented by oral glucocorticoids associated with cyclosporine. The use of biological agents, the most promising being rituximab, is for the time being experimental and warrants support from randomized clinical trials.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007275 Injections, Intravenous Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes. Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D008775 Methylprednisolone A PREDNISOLONE derivative with similar anti-inflammatory action. 6-Methylprednisolone,Medrol,Metipred,Urbason,6 Methylprednisolone
D005938 Glucocorticoids A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system. Glucocorticoid,Glucocorticoid Effect,Glucorticoid Effects,Effect, Glucocorticoid,Effects, Glucorticoid
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000284 Administration, Oral The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth. Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000465 Algorithms A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task. Algorithm
D012720 Severity of Illness Index Levels within a diagnostic group which are established by various measurement criteria applied to the seriousness of a patient's disorder. Illness Index Severities,Illness Index Severity
D016879 Salvage Therapy A therapeutic approach, involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, after initial regimens have failed to lead to improvement in a patient's condition. Salvage therapy is most often used for neoplastic diseases. Salvage Treatment,Therapy, Salvage,Salvage Therapies,Salvage Treatments,Therapies, Salvage,Treatment, Salvage,Treatments, Salvage
D017211 Treatment Failure A measure of the quality of health care by assessment of unsuccessful results of management and procedures used in combating disease, in individual cases or series. Failure, Treatment,Failures, Treatment,Treatment Failures
D017410 Practice Guidelines as Topic Works about directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for assisting health care practitioners in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. Clinical Guidelines as Topic,Best Practices,Best Practice

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