Endocrine Abstracts

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is characterized by orbital tissue inflammation, expansion, remodelling and fibrosis. Although the initiating trigger of GO is still indistinct, excessive orbital fibroblast activity is at the heart of its pathogenesis. Orbital fibroblasts are activated by cellular interactions with immune cells and the soluble factors they secrete as well as autoantibodies (e.g. TSH-receptor autoantibodies). Activated orbital fibroblasts produce inflammatory medi...

Management of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) depends on the severity and activity of the disease. Guidelines for the management of GO have recently been published by EUGOGO (European Group on Graves’ Orbitopathy) (European Thyroid Journal 2016 5 9–26). Assessment of GO by standardized criteria is fundamental to determine the type of intervention. General measures for all patients with GO, irrespective of the degree of severity and activity, i...

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is a relatively rare condition, but can cause significant morbidity, poor quality of life, socioeconomic cost and occasionally impaired vision. Some studies indicate that nearly all patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism, even those without overt GO, have subclinical eye disease. It is becoming increasingly evident that early recognition of GO and early interventions can affect the long-term outcome favourably. Predicting which patients will d...