Characteristics of Graves Disease in a Cohort of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated With Interferon-alpha and Ribavirin

Abstract

Background: Thyrotoxicosis resembling Graves disease (GD) in association with interferon-alpha therapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C is very uncommon, especially after treatment has ceased. Furthermore, it is unknown if this condition behaves differently from GD arising de novo.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to detect and review all cases of GD occurring in our hepatitis C service unit over a five year period including long term outcomes.

Results: There were five cases of GD detected: 3 females and 2 males. These were: 1 case of co-existing GD and a toxic nodule developed during therapy, 2 cases developed GD after therapy and another 2 as part of the tri-phasic thyroiditis. All 5 patients were treated for 6 months with one exception and then followed up for another 12 months.

Conclusions: All patients responded satisfactorily to short term thionamides and remained in long term remission. Although the number is small, this report is a reminder that more cases can be expected as treatment for chronic HCV is likely to increase.




J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;1(1):14-20
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jem10w