[Epidemiology of the endocrine orbitopathy]

The goal of this paper was to evaluate epidemiological data of the endocrine orbitopathy in a group of 126 patients (250 eyes) during the 5-years period (1999-2004). The prevalence of endocrine orbitopathy was at the age 46.5 +/- 11.4 years, predominantly in females: 5.3 times more often than in males. In most cases (94%) and independently on the sex, hyperthyroidism accompanied the endocrine orbitopathy. Hyperthyroidism mostly (91%) preceded the appearance of the endocrine orbitopathy. Most patients with endocrine orbitopathy had eyelid signs (91% females and 85% males respectively), protrusion or exophtalmos (77% females, 75% males). 69% patients (68% females, 70% males) had elevated intraocular pressure (pseudoglaucoma, primary glaucoma). During the active stage of the endocrine orbitopathy with protrusion (52% patients), pseudoglaucoma was detected in 7% of patients. During the inactive stage of the endocrine orbitopathy with protrusion (34% patients), pseudoglaucoma was detected in 4% of patients. Primary glaucoma was found in 2% (active stage) and 1% (inactive astage).