Why carry out this study?

The literature on chronic thyroid eye disease (TED) is sparse, particularly that pertaining to long-term disease, but a better understanding is crucial as medical therapies for all stages of TED emerge.

This study examined QOL and TED signs and symptoms in 100 chronic TED patients in the United States.

What was learned from the study?

Patients had long-term TED (average duration: 6 years [3 years chronic, inactive TED]), but low QOL (average score: 61 out of 100), frequent mental health issues (42%), and high healthcare utilization (average: 20 visits/patient in the year prior to survey).

Patient QOL continued to be severely impacted by persistent TED signs and symptoms long after TED-related inflammation had quieted.