Comparison of placebo with L-thyroxine alone or with carbimazole for treatment of sporadic non-toxic goitre.

Abstract

The efficacy of treatment with TSH-suppressive doses of L-thyroxine (T4, 2.5 micrograms/kg body weight daily) either alone or combined with carbimazole (CBZ, 40 mg daily) was studied in 78 patients with sporadic non-toxic goitre in a prospective placebo-controlled double-blind randomised clinical trial. Treatment was given for 9 months, with 9 months of follow-up. A response to treatment as measured by ultrasonography was found in 58% of the T4 group, in 35% of the T4/CBZ group, and in 5% of the placebo group. The mean (SEM) decrease of thyroid volume at 9 months in the responders was 25% (2). After discontinuation of treatment, thyroid volume increased in the responders and had returned to base-line values after 9 months of follow-up. In the placebo group mean thyroid volume had increased by 6% (4) at 4 months, 20% (7) at 9 months, and 27% (8) at 18 months. The findings show that untreated sporadic non-toxic goitre continues to increase in size; T4 is effective in the treatment of the disorder; and the addition of CBZ has no therapeutic advantage.

• Authors: A Berghout, W M Wiersinga, H A Drexhage, N J Smits, J L Touber
• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 336 Issue 8709 Pg. 193-7 (Jul 28 1990) ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England
• PMID: 1973768 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Triiodothyronine
• Carbimazole
• Thyrotropin
• Thyroxine

Topics

• Adult
• Carbimazole (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Goiter (blood, drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebos
• Prospective Studies
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Recurrence
• Thyrotropin (antagonists & inhibitors, blood)
• Thyroxine (administration & dosage, blood, therapeutic use)
• Triiodothyronine (blood)