Overview
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive agents treating Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy by multi-model image.
Description
Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy is one of autoimmune orbital diseases characterized by enlargement of the extraocular muscles and increase in fatty or/and orbit connective tissue volume affecting the appearance and visual function of the eyes. TAO can be classified into active phase and inactive phase according to the activity score and wait-and-see or surgery are widely chosen for patients in inactive phase. A great number of patients in inactive phase becoming refractory and reoccurring.
Until now, the improvement of TAO is still be measured subjectively with low reliability and less accuracy. Multi-modal image is a new method to assess both the appearance and visual function of TAO and some of the indexes can be regarded as more apparent and stable in assessing the efficacy and prognosis of TAO.
This perspective cohort study aims to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive agents in TAO by multi-model image and function assessments.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Informed consent
- Age 18-70 years old
- Diagnosed with TAO.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Contraindications to immunosuppressive agents.
- Patients with HIV, Hepatitis B or C, Tuberculosis or other active significant infection.
- Patients with severe chronic diseases in heart, lung, kidney and liver, which make it not tolerant to immunosuppressive agents.
- Patients have contraindications of MRI(metal pacemaker, fake teeth, foreign body and other materials which will disturb the examination).