The need for the GREAT+ score to predict relapse in Graves' disease: a questionnaire among patients and internal medicine specialists.

Abstract

Purpose: Graves' disease (GD) is an auto-immune cause of hyperthyroidism. First-line treatment often consists of a 12-18 month course of antithyroid drugs (ATD). After discontinuation of ATD, GD relapses in approximately 50% of patients. The 'Graves recurrent event after therapy+ ' (GREAT+) score may predict individual relapse chances after ATD discontinuation more accurately based on clinical and laboratory parameters at diagnosis. We investigated the need for the GREAT+ score through an online questionnaire among GD patients and physicians treating GD.

Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to patients and physicians between June 2022 and August 2023.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 532 patients and 44 physicians. Results showed that 94% of patients were interested in knowing their GREAT+ score at the start of treatment. 55% would consider definite treatment (radioiodine/thyroidectomy) as first-line treatment in case of a high relapse chance. 98% of the physicians indicated the GREAT + score would support patient counseling. 84% may change their advice for first-line treatment if a patient has a high relapse chance based on the score.

Conclusion: Patients and physicians considered the GREAT+ score as a valuable addition to the current available information which could change treatment decisions. Therefore, external validation of the GREAT+ score is justified to implement this score in clinical practice.