Abstract:
ObjectiveTo compare radioiodine therapy with antithyroid drugs in terms of clinical outcomes using meta-analysis, including development or worsening of ophthalmopathy, hyperthyroid cure rate, hypothyroidism, relapse rate, and adverse events.
MethodsRandomized controlled trials(RCTs) published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed, and National Knowledge Infrastructure, China were analyzed. These studies were published between 1990 and 2016. The selected key search terms were as follows:Graves' disease, radioiodine, and antithyroid drugs. Therapy was systematically reviewed to compare the effects of radioiodine therapy with antithyroid drugs among patients with Graves' disease. STATA software v.12.0 was used for data analysis. Results were expressed as risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals(CIs). Pooled estimates were determined using fixed-effect model or random-effect model, depending on the heterogeneity among studies.
ResultsA total of 17 RCTs involving 4024 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria; these studies were published between1992 and 2015. Comprehensive analysis and results indicated that the rate of new ophthalmopathy developed in radioiodine therapy group and antithyroid drug group was 23.3% and 16.1%, respectively. Correspondingly, the hyperthyroid cure rate was 77.8% and 45.6%, the hypothyroidism rate was 19.7% and 9.3%, and the hyperthyroid relapse rate was 6.3% and 35.0%, respectively. Results also showed that radioiodine treatment increased the risk of new ophthalmopathy(RR=1.3, 95% CI:1.04, 1.77; P=0.024), development or worsening of ophthalmopathy(RR=1.76, 95% CI:1.30, 2.38; P < 0.001), and hypothyroidism(RR=1.76, 95% CI:1.30, 2.38; P < 0.001). Furthermore, radioiodine treatment presented a higher hyperthyroid cure rate(RR=1.66, 95% CI:1.49, 1.86; P < 0.001), lower recurrence rate(RR=0.16, 95% CI:0.08, 0.33; P < 0.001), and lower incidence of adverse events(RR=0.22, 95% CI:0.10, 0.49; P < 0.001) than those of antithyroid drugs.
ConclusionsRadioiodine therapy is associated with a higher hyperthyroid cure rate and lower relapse rate than those of antithyroid drugs. However, this treatment also increases the risk of ophthalmopathy and hypothyroidism. Considering that antithyroid drug treatment can be associated with unsatisfactory control of hyperthyroidism, we recommend radioiodine therapy as treatment option for patients with Graves' disease.