Therapeutic efficacy of ¹³¹I combined with Prednisone on Graves' disease

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ¹³¹I combined with Prednisone in the treatment Graves' disease. Methods 128 cases of Graves'disease were randomly divided into two groups,the control group was treated only with ¹³¹I,while the combined group with ¹³¹I and Prednisone tablets(30 mg,qd) prescribed for the first month,and 15 mg,qd for the second month,and 5 mg,qd for the third month.Total course was 3 months.Thyroid function and TRAb and Graves ophthalmopathy were assessed 3 months and 6 months after ¹³¹I treatment. Results 3 months after ¹³¹I therapy,the simple Graves ophthalmopathy deterioration rate in the control group was 16.7%,and in the combined group was 10%(χ²=0.349,P>0.05);Infiltrative ophthalmopathy deterioration rate in the control group was 23.1%,and in the combined group was 10%(χ²=0.219,P>0.05);the total deterioration rate in both group(20% vs. 10%,χ²=1.055,P>0.05)was not significant.TRAb levels in the control group and combined group were (112.23±45.88) IU/L vs. (90.11±46.32) IU/L for 3 months of treatment,t=2.679,P<0.01;(90.55±33.55)IU/L vs.(70.77±50.88)IU/L for six month of treatment,t=2.513,P<0.02;and (44.27±40.56)IU/L vs.(30.66±37.98)IU/L for 9 months of treatment,t=0.548,P>0.05,respectively.The control rate of hyperthyroidism in the control group and combined group were 70% vs.75% for 3 months of treatment,χ²=0.353,P>0.05,and 81% vs. 86% for six months of treatment,χ²=0.153,P>0.05,respectively. Conclusion ¹³¹I combined with Prednisone can effectively decrease the levels of TRAb after 3 and 6 months of treatment,but cannot improve the curative effect of hyperthyroidism;the combined therapy can also decline infiltrative ophthalmopathy deterioration rate,and improve the clinical symptoms of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy.The combined use of Prednisone must be based on the score for eye conditions.