Bilateral versus unilateral thyroid eye disease

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare demographics, clinical manifestations, associated systemic and ocular factors, severity and activity of patients with unilateral thyroid eye disease (U-TED) versus bilateral thyroid eye disease (B-TED). Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism and primary hypothyroidism seen in an endocrinology clinic were included from September 2003 to July 2006. Demographics, complete eye examination, severity score (NOSPECS, total eye score), and clinical activity score were recorded and compared in the B-TED and U-TED groups of patients. Results: From 851 patients with thyroid disorders, 303 (35.6%) had TED. Thirty-two patients (32/303, 10.56%) were found to have U-TED. Patients with U-TED (mean age 31.6 +/- 11.6 years) were significantly younger than patients with B-TED (mean age 37.7 +/- 14.7 years). Monovariate analysis (Chi-square and independent sample t-test) showed a significantly higher severity score in B-TED (U-TED 4.09 +/- 4.05, B-TED: 6.7 +/- 6.3; P= 0.002) and more activity score in B-TED (U-TED= 1.03 +/- 0.96, B-TED: 1.74 +/- 1.6, P= 0.001). However, multivariate analysis did not show any significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, type of thyroid disease, duration of thyroid disease and TED, severity and activity of TED, smoking habit, and presentation of TED before or aft er the presentation of thyroid disease (0.1 <1). Conclusion: This study did not find any significant difference between U-TED and B-TED in relation to the demographics, type of thyroid disease, associated findings, and severity and activity of TED.