Newswise — The American Thyroid Association (ATA®) and European Thyroid Association (ETA) have collaborated on the “Management of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Consensus Statement by the American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association”. This consensus statement, prepared as a clinical resource for endocrinologists, is now available online and has been co-published in the peer-reviewed journals Thyroid® and the European Thyroid Journal.
The consensus statement was drafted by a multidisciplinary, global writing task force led by co-chairs from both societies, including Henry B. Burch, MD, Program Director, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Metabolic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and Petros Perros, MD, Honorary Consultant in Endocrinology at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The final document integrates feedback from patients and the ophthalmology community, comments from ATA and ETA members, and it underwent formal peer-review in Thyroid® and the European Thyroid Journal. Potential conflict of interest was managed, and transparency maintained in formulating the consensus statement.
“This carefully crafted statement, written by experts of the two sister societies, provides an up-to-date overview of the management of TED, which can present a challenging clinical problem. Integrating the latest developments, it is an excellent guide for specialists caring for patients with Graves' disease and emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach for individuals with severe forms of TED,” says Peter A. Kopp, MD, Immediate Past President of the ATA, Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University of Lausanne, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is relatively rare but causes significant morbidity, impaired quality of life, and is associated with excess socioeconomic burden. The publication of the Management of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Consensus Statement by the American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association is timely, as novel treatments are rapidly evolving, thus expanding treatment options. The key objective was to create a synopsis to promote delivery of evidence-based care for patients with TED, and those at risk of developing it. The task force considered all treatments including new and emerging therapies, striving to adjudicate inconsistencies and identify gaps in the current literature. The available evidence was translated into practical recommendations for endocrinologists. The consensus statement emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate and timely referral to specialty care, joint management by clinical teams with expertise in both endocrinology and ophthalmology, and outlines a roadmap to personalized care. It also highlights important areas of future research.
“This outstanding collaborative effort between the European and American Thyroid Associations includes all the latest evidence and clinical experience from renowned international experts. The result is a superb clinical guide covering the multidisciplinary care of thyroid eye disease that is practical, timely and highly relevant to specialists all over the world,” says Graham R. Williams FRCP, PhD, FMedSci, President of the ETA, Professor of Endocrinology, Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK.
The consensus statement is expected to be a useful reference tool for practicing endocrinologists globally.The consensus statement does not establish a standard of care and specific outcomes are not guaranteed. Treatment decisions must be made based on the independent judgment of health care providers and each patient’s individual circumstances. A consensus statement is not intended to take the place of physician judgment in diagnosing and treatment of particular patients.
About the American Thyroid Association®
The American Thyroid Association® (ATA) is dedicated to transforming thyroid care through clinical excellence, education, scientific discovery and advocacy in a collaborative and diverse community. ATA® is an international professional medical society with over 1,800 members from 43 countries around the world. The ATA® promotes thyroid awareness and information through Clinical Thyroidology® for the Public, a resource that summarizes research for patients and families, and extensive, authoritative resources on thyroid disease and thyroid cancer in both English and Spanish. The ATA® website www.thyroid.org serves as a bonafide clinical resource for patients and the public who look for reliable thyroid-related information.
About the European Thyroid Association
The European Thyroid Association is a scientific organization, which aims to promote clinical and basic research, provide clinical practice of excellence in thyroid diseases and raise the public level of awareness about thyroid health. The Association was founded in 1965 and has had its Annual Meeting every year since then, with the exception of the years in which the International Thyroid Congress is held. The ETA has 880 members from almost all the European countries and all the continents. The ETA supports research projects with several Grants and is preparing exchange of junior members in overseas laboratories in collaboration with the ATA. Through eurothyroid.com the ETA provides guidance in thyroid disease management and increases understanding among the general population.
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