Prediction of relapse in hyperthyroid Graves' disease

Within a year of stopping a 6-month course of carbimazole treatment 41 of 65 patients (63%) with hyperthyroid Graves' disease had a recurrence of their hyperthyroidism. By combined analysis of the HLA-DRw3 status and the level of thyrotrophin-receptor antibody at the time of drug withdrawal relapse or remission could be predicted in 62 of the 65 patients.