Risk Factors of Thyroid Eye Disease

To examine risk factors that might be associated with thyroid eye disease (TED) in patients with Graves' disease (GD), which may guide physicians in the prevention and management of TED.

Medline and Embase were searched for articles discussing risk factors of TED. Comparisons were made between GD patients with and without TED, and between active and inactive TED GD patients. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) were determined for continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Results were pooled with random effects using the DerSimonian and Laird model.

Fifty-six articles were included in the analysis. Smoking, inclusive of current and previous smoking status, was a significant risk factor for TED (OR: 2.401; CI: 1.958-2.945; P < .001). Statistical significance was found upon meta-regression between male sex and the odds of smoking and TED (β = 1.195; SE = 0.436; P = .013). Other risk factors were also examined, and patients with TED were significantly older than those without TED (WMD: 1.350; CI: 0.328-2.372; P = .010). While both age (WMD: 5.546; CI: 3.075-8.017; P < .001) and male sex (OR: 1.819; CI: 1.178-2.808; P = .007) were found to be significant risk factors for active TED patients compared to inactive TED patients, no statistical significance was found for family history, thyroid status, cholesterol levels, or body mass index.

Factors such as smoking, sex, and age predispose GD patients to TED, and TED patients to active TED. A targeted approach in the management of GD and TED is required to reduce the modifiable risk factor of smoking.