As a leading Ophthalmologist, Dr. Navin Kumar Gupta, I am consistently seeking to share advancements and critical insights about eye care with my patients and the general public. In light of this, I’d like to provide an explanation of a recent medical study that was conducted on thyroid eye disease (TED).
In a study carried out at the Cole Eye Institute/Cleveland Clinic, researchers analyzed the reactivation or recurrence rate of proptosis – a condition where the eye bulges out of the orbit, in patients with active TED after a full course of teprotumumab treatment. The study involved 21 patients and spanned a period of at least six months after the completion of their therapy.
The observations showed that out of 21 patients, 17 experienced an early reduction of proptosis. However, much to the surprise of the researchers, 10 out of these 17 patients (58.8%) witnessed a recurrence of proptosis. Additionally, 20 patients exhibited an early response as per the Clinical Activity Score (CAS) criteria, but 11 of them eventually regressed, meaning their CAS score worsened by two points or more. In summary, the average time to recurrence was found to be approximately 12.25 months.
Although the study provided some valuable insights, it had its limitations, including a relatively small and diverse study population. Additionally, the patients had received different treatments before being put on teprotumumab therapy, which may have influenced their response to it.
The findings of this study add a significant layer of understanding to our knowledge about the effect of teprotumumab treatment for TED. To date, it has been unclear how long the positive effects of teprotumab treatment would last. This study revealed that the initial positive effects of the treatment could lessen over time. After 12 months post-treatment, only 57% of patients maintained a response, and beyond 12 months, only 33% appeared to maintain a response.
Given the high costs of treatment and the potential for significant side effects, it is vital for patients considering teprotumumab treatment to understand these findings. They should be aware that the initial positive effects of teprotumumab may fade with time.
For more information on eye diseases and treatments, visit my website, https://shankarnetrika.com/, or contact me directly at 9920044620. My clinic, Shankar Netrika Eye Centre, located in Mumbai, offers comprehensive eye care services, including cataract and laser surgeries.
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