Abstract
The chance of permanent remission after prolonged drug therapy was investigated in 41 patients with toxic multinodular goiter. For purposes of comparison a group of 41 patients with Graves' disease was also studied. After euthyroidism was achieved all patients received a combination of thionamide and thyroxine for at least 12 months. The minimum follow-up period was 2 yr. Relapse of thyrotoxicosis occurred in 95.1% of patients with toxic multinodular goiter and 34.1% of patients with Graves' disease (p < 0.001). It is concluded that for patients with toxic multinodular goiter early radioiodine therapy or surgery is preferred since prolonged drug therapy seldom produces permanent remission.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use*
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Carbimazole / administration & dosage
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Carbimazole / therapeutic use
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Goiter, Nodular / complications*
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Goiter, Nodular / diagnostic imaging
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Goiter, Nodular / drug therapy
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Graves Disease / complications*
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Graves Disease / diagnostic imaging
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Graves Disease / drug therapy
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Humans
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Hyperthyroidism / diagnostic imaging
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Hyperthyroidism / drug therapy
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Hyperthyroidism / etiology*
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Iodine Radioisotopes
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Male
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Methimazole / administration & dosage
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Methimazole / therapeutic use
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Middle Aged
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Propylthiouracil / administration & dosage
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Propylthiouracil / therapeutic use
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Radionuclide Imaging
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Recurrence
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Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging
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Thyroxine / administration & dosage
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Thyroxine / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antithyroid Agents
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Iodine Radioisotopes
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Methimazole
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Propylthiouracil
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Carbimazole
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Thyroxine