Graves’ (GD) hyperthyroidism induces accelerated bone turnover that leads to decreased bone mineral density (BMD). The role of the VDR gene in predisposition to primary osteoporosis has been recognized. Recent studies show associations between the VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Here we analyzed if VDR gene polymorphisms: BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI may predispo...

OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the clinical behavior and outcome of 202 papillary thyroid cancers in Graves' disease patients during the period 1994-2004. DESIGN This was a retrospective, non-randomized case-control study. METHODS Since 1994, we have included an ultrasonogram of the neck in the initial examination of thyroid disease patients who consult our outpatient clinic. We ev...

Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism in iodine-replete countries, is associated with the presence of immunoglobulins G (IgGs) that are responsible for thyroid growth and hyperfunction. In this article, we report the unusual case of a patient with acromegaly and a severe form of Graves' disease. Here, we address the issue concerning the role of growth hormone (GH) and insulin...

Although the etiology of Graves' disease is still not clear, it is generally suggested that environmental factors such as infections contribute to the development of Graves' disease. We report here three cases of Graves' disease which presented simultaneously with infectious mononucleosis due to primary EBV infection. Acute EBV infection might play an important role in the onset of Graves' dise...

Background Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is a component of Graves’ disease (GD) that is difficult to treat and may be very debilitating for the patient. Orbitopathy (ophthalmopathy [harder to pronounce]) is a significant problem for about 5% to 10% of patients with Graves’ disease. The factors that cause a predisposition to it are not clear. The current study examines a database of patients with Gra...

Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAs) are one of the markers of islet cell autoimmunity and are sometimes present before the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). GADA can be present in Graves' patients without diabetes; however, the outcome of GADA-positive Graves' patients is not fully understood, and the predictive value of GADA for the development of T1D in Graves' patients remains to be...

Extraocular muscle biopsies from normal individuals and five patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Fibroblasts in normal extraocular muscle as well as Graves' extraocular muscles expressed HLA-class II antigens, but the muscle cells did not. There was an increase of interstitial tissue in Graves' extraocular muscles but no visible damage to the musc...

Neonatal Graves’ disease is a rare form of pediatric hyperthyroidism that occurs in 1-5% of infants born to mothers with Graves’ disease [1,2]. The risk of neonatal Graves’ disease is highest in those infants born to mothers with active or refractory Graves’ disease during pregnancy. However, infants whose mothers have undergone definitive therapy with either radioiodine ablation or surgical th...

Graves' disease is a most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease, and autoimmune process induces an inflammatory reaction, and reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are among its products. When balance between oxidants and antioxidants is disturbed, in favour of the oxidants it is termed "oxidative stress" (OS). Increased OS characterizes Graves' disease. It seems that the level ...

Background: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed on NK cells and a subset of T cells. The variable KIR receptors along with their ligands, HLA class I, influence risk for autoimmune and malignant diseases. Objective: To investigate the KIR gene profiles in relation to susceptibility to Graves’ disease in patients with ophthalmopathy. Methods: KIR genes profiles were ana...