MiR-346 and TRAb as Predicative Factors for Relapse in Graves’ Disease Within One Year

Abstract Despite the efficacy and safety, antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy for Graves’ disease (GD) is associated with a high risk of relapse, especially within the first year. The inability to predict whether and when relapse may occur is a major problem for ATD therapy. This study was aimed to investigate potential predicative factors for GD patients after ATD withdrawal. Consecutive patients newly diagnosed with GD and treated with ATD [methimazole (MMI)] were enrolled in this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were used for the analysis of predicative parameters for GD relapse after MMI withdrawal. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were utilized for presenting the risk of relapse. Of the 103 patients included, 67 (65.0%) remained in remission and 36 (35.0%) had a relapse within 1 year after the MMI withdrawal. The multivariate analysis suggested significant predictive factors for GD relapse: patients with higher miR-346 expressions (≥median value) at diagnosis and at cessation, and lower TRAb levels at cessation. MiR-346 at diagnosis and cessation, and TRAb at cessation could serve as predictive factors for GD relapse within 1 year after drug withdrawal.