Graves orbitopathy: genderspecific manifestation of symptoms at first patient presentation

Introduction 

Patients with endocrine orbitopathy suffer from two main symptoms, namely exophthalmos and compression of the optic nerve (dysthyroid optic neuropathy = DON). Epidemological there is a distinct prevalence of female patients with a ratio 10:1. The impact of gender on the manifestation of symptoms is not certain.

Methods 

The retro-perspective study included 350 patients (653 orbitae) with endocrine orbitopathy who received balanced orbital decompression between 08/2011 and 08/2019. Patients have been divided by gender and specific symptoms. Resulting subsets of patients were compared by Hertel-index and elapsed time to surgery.

Results 

There was a significant higher presurgical Hertel-Index in male patients (p<0,001). The average age was similar between males and females (51 vs. 51,6 years). No significant differences in the period from first diagnostic to surgery could be measured (p=0,45).

Discussion 

The males patients present with a higher Hertel-Index. The entire database shows that more female get the disease. Why males have an higher Hertel at first presentation will be analyzed in the future.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022