An Appraisal of the Preventive Effect of Statins on the Development of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder observed in a substantial proportion of patients with Graves’ disease (GD), with debilitating symptoms of disfiguring, periorbital pain, dry eyes, diplopia, and even visual disturbances. Previous studies involving Western populations have noted discrepancies in risk factors for GO. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the risk factors for GO development and the protective effect of statins in newly diagnosed patients with GD in Taiwan.

This retrospective case–control study was based on a tertiary center cohort involving patients with GD diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 at the National Taiwan University Hospital (n = 11,035). Patients who were diagnosed or treated elsewhere, had been followed up for less than 6 months or were with a diagnosis of orbital tumor were excluded. Overall, 3578 patients with GD met the inclusion criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the odds ratio (OR) of developing GO, with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, interventions for managing GD and thyroid hormone levels, to determine protective and risk factors for GO.

In our multivariate model, the use of statins reduced the risk of GO development (OR 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08–0.50; p < 0.001). Thyroid dysfunction including hyperthyroidism (OR 4.2; 95% CI 2.97–5.88; p < 0.001) and hypothyroidism (OR 4.7; 95% CI 3.02–7.19; p < 0.001) was associated with an increased risk of developing GO. Smoking status and lipid profile were not risk factors in our cohort.

In newly diagnosed patients with GD, the use of statins decreased the risk of developing GO by 80%, whereas serum lipid levels were not considered risk factors. Further nationwide population-based studies may help clarify the differences in risk factors between various ethnic groups.

This trial was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University Hospital (202202066RINC), retrospectively registered from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019.