Is there a methimazole dose effect on remission rate in Graves' disease? Results from a long-term prospective study

OBJECTIVE The optimal antithyroid drug regimen for Graves' disease remains a matter of controversy. The European Multicentre Trial Group has investigated the effects of methimazole drug dose on the long-term outcome of Graves' disease. DESIGN Extended follow-up of patients from a prospective multicentre trial, designed to study methimazole dose effects on the outcome of Graves' disease. We have reported previously that the relapse rates did not differ after a medication-free observation period of 12 months; the relapse rates were 37 and 38%, respectively. In this paper, we describe the outcome in these patients after a mean observation period of 4.3 ± 1.3 years and have looked for potential…