Graves' disease in India: epidemiological, clinical, and genetic differences from Caucasians.

Abstract

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is rising in India and thus so is Graves' disease (GD). The phenotype of Indian GD is different than in Caucasians and is characterized by lower age at onset, lower female to male ratio, delayed diagnosis, more signs and symptoms, lower body mass index (BMI) and weight, lower prevalence of Graves' orbitopathy (GO), more inactive GO, lower doses of carbimazole being more effective, different markers of remission, and other things. Mechanistic studies are urgently needed to characterize the pathophysiology of Indian GD. Prevention, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment of GD should become urgently a public health priority in India.