Graves’ Disease Frequency and Clinical Patterns In Khartoum Teaching Hospital January - July 2004

Abstract

This is a prospective cross sectional descriptive study performed at Khartoum Teaching Hospital clinics in the period from January 2004 to July 2004. Aims: To diagnose patients with Graves’ disease among thyrotoxic patients by detection of TSI in their sera, to assess the frequency of Graves’ disease, and to study the clinical patterns of Graves’ disease. Patients & methods: Forty-nine patients with thyrotoxicosis (confirmed by laboratory investigations) were studied. Data was collected using designed questionnaire. TSI in the sera was detected by RIA. Frequency of Graves’ disease was determined. Symptoms and signs of the patients with TSI were studied. Results: Out of Forty-nine patients, thirty-four patients were found to have detectable significant level of TSI. Frequency of Graves’ disease amongst the patients was 69.4% . Main symptoms were dislike to hot weather (70%) , palpitation (35%), tremor (24%) infertility (20%), irritability (35%), fatigability (10%). Main signs were onycholysis (73%), proptosis (64%), tachycardia (44%) diffuse Goiter (30%), palmer erythema and anemia (7%), thyroid acropachy and pretibial myxodema (0%) Conclusion: Graves’ disease is the commonest cause of hyperthyroidism in patients with thyrotoxicosis in K.T.H. Diagnosis of Graves’ disease is done by detection of TSI in the patient serum. Dislike to hot weather and palpitation are major symptoms of Graves’. Proptosis is a major sign of Graves’. Onycholysis is common in Graves’ disease. Recommendations: Accurate diagnosis of Graves’ disease by high clinical suspicion and TSI detection in the patient serum. More studies for evaluation of radioactive iodine therapy in Sudan in order to extend it’s use in management of Graves’ disease.