Graves Disease in Central Ghana: Clinical Characteristics and Associated Factors:

BackgroundGraves disease (GD) has increased in prevalence over the past decade in Africa. Despite this, the condition is not well described, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.ObjectiveWe have described the clinical characteristics and associated factors of GD in a cohort of patients attending a resource-limited setting tertiary hospital.MethodsPatients were examined thoroughly and systematically tested for the degree of clinical and biochemical thyroid status. Thyroid volume, characteristics, and blood flow were assessed at presentation using ultrasonography. Factors associated with an inability to achieve clinical and biochemical thyroid remission were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsOverall, 182 patients were studied, 152 (83.5%) were women with a female:male ratio of 5.1:1.0. The mean age at presentation was 39.9 ± 14.7 years with women significantly older than men. Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) was observed in 56% of the participants and pretibial myxoedema in 6%. Ab...