Taking a closer look at the variances in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) between Indian and American patients, this pilot observational study presents some insightful findings. The study scrutinized the manifestation of TED in patients from both countries, offering a comparative analysis.
The study engaged a total of 64 patients, 30 from two American institutions and 34 from a single Indian clinic, all of whom were suffering from active TED. To draw a comprehensive comparison, the researchers considered demographic data and evaluated TED symptoms, signs, and patients’ quality of life at the outset and again after three months. Standard orbital and ophthalmological examinations were carried out during both visits.
A striking difference was observed in the gender distribution of TED patients in both countries. While the majority of American patients were female (86.7%), the percentage of female patients in India was significantly lower at 52.9%. Moreover, the cumulative Clinical Activity Score (CAS) was also substantially lower in Indian patients (1.65), suggesting less inflammation compared to American patients (4.20). However, there were no significant differences in the age of patients at enrollment, TED duration, or smoking habits between the two groups.
The study also noted some similarities in clinical findings across both populations, although the Indian patients recorded higher margin reflex distance 1 and 2 values. However, the study’s limitations, such as its nonrandomized nature, small sample size, and uneven gender distribution, should be taken into account. The skewed gender distribution, in particular, might have influenced the considerable difference in aggregate CAS scores.
Previous research has often linked TED more prominently with women. However, this study suggests that in India, TED prevalence is almost equal among men and women. Also, Indian patients tend to exhibit a lower inflammatory score compared to American patients. These variations are worth considering while assessing patients of Indian origin.
The study was conducted without any financial relationships disclosed by Dr. Anne Barmettler. This information was published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, August 2024.
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