Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT34

Thyroid eye disease (TED) has profound impact on quality of life. Several novel immunotherapies are in late-stage development. We aimed to identify learning needs on disease facts, diagnosis and management and attitudes towards novel treatment options. Physicians completed an online accredited 25-item clinical practice assessment of 20 knowledge and 5 attitudinal questions with evidence-based feedback on correct answers. Learning objectives were to increase knowledge regarding TED facts, treatment guidelines and self-assess learning needs on management. Launch Sep 6, 2024; data through Oct 22, 2024. Assessment completers: 139 ophthalmologists, 92 endocrinologists. Physicians showed a lack of knowledge using clinical activity score questionnaires for initial and follow-up assessments and had knowledge gaps on atypical TED presentations. Knowledge on immunotherapy targets for rituximab and teprotumumab was insufficient, most physicians were unaware of efficacy data showing proptosis reduction with teprotumumab. The role of selenium supplementation for mild active TED was not known widely, instead steroids were seen as most appropriate for the majority of patients. The place of orbital decompression surgery in sight-threatening TED not sufficiently responsive to iv corticosteroids also required education. The majority of physicians stated that up to 50% of their patients are not adequately controlled on local therapy or corticosteroids, however less than half would be willing to prescribe a specific immunotherapy if available, due to cost concerns and lack of knowledge on safety and efficacy. Less than half of physicians felt confident (very or quite) about TED diagnosis and management. Physicians had a high interest for education on emerging therapies, in particular safety aspects. Online medical education is an effective method to identify TED learning needs to help the adoption of novel targeted immunotherapies for patients who can benefit from them.