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Abstract
Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune isease to which both genetic and environmental factors contribute. The later may include stressful life events and infections. Smoking represents an important environmental factor. An increased prevalence of smokers has been observed in patients with Grave’s disease and smoking increases the risk of developing this disease. In addition, smoking has been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of recurrence of Graves’ hyperthyroidism following anti-thyroid drug treatment withdrawal.
This work aimed to study the effect of smoking on Graves’ disease.
The study was carried out on 40 male patients with Graves’ disease, not previously treated either medically, surgically or with radioactive iodine. They were selected from patients attended the endocrine clinic of the Alexandria Main University Hospital. The selection of those patients was dependent initially on clinical examination. They were divided into 2 groups:Group A: Included 20 male patients with Graves’ disease who were current smokers. (smokers group)
Group B:Included 20 male patients with Graves’ disease who were non smokers, matched in age with the previous group. (non smokers group)
Patients with previous history of autoimmune endocrinopathies and those with previous history of drug administration e.g., interferon, glucocorticoids or amiodarone were excluded from the study .