Thyroid eye disease in patients at Salvadoran Social Security Institute

Abstract

Introduction. Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disease more common in women and negatively influenced by factors such as smoking and age. It affects orbital structures such as the extraocular muscles and periocular fat. Clinical activity and severity determine its treatment and prognosis. Objective. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of thyroid eye disease were determined in the population that consulted in Ophthalmology at Salvadoran Social Security Institute Specialty Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022. Methodology. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. Occurrence, clinical activity, thyroid status, and treatment were determined through a review of clinical records. Results. The disease occurred in 14.28 %, with a female predominance and a mean age of 46.21 years. A total of 61.42 % had best-corrected visual acuity was < 0.18), and 6 % reported smoking. The most frequent signs were eyelid edema and conjunctival hyperemia. Hypothyroidism occurred in 45.71 % of patients. The most common treatment was topical ocular lubricants in patients with mild thyroid disease. Conclusion. Thyroid eye disease is more common in women, with a higher presence in the sixth decade of life and controlled thyroid disease. Clinically inactive disease with good best-corrected visual acuity predominated. Patients with moderate to severe clinical activity due to thyroid disease received treatment with systemic steroids and surgical intervention.