[Risk factors of early recurrence after surgical treatment in Graves disease]

To determine the factors causing early recurrence after surgery for Graves disease, I've studied 81 patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. Thyroid functional status was evaluated biochemically every 3 months. After one year the patients were divided into 3 categories: recurrent hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The following factors were analyzed: personal, environmental, antithyroid drug tolerance, indication for surgery, clinical investigation, TRAb serum titer, quality of surgical treatment, pathological findings. Prognostic factors for failure were identified by using logistic regression. The incidence of early hyperthyroidism was 11.1%. Significant factors for recurrence were goitre size <65 ml, blood group "O", positive TRAb titer, tiamazole intolerance, advanced exophthalmos and pregnancy for women. Basing on these factors "the risk scale" was created. It seems to be helpful for qualifying the selected high risk cases to primary total thyroidectomy.