Can DiaGO reliably and sensitively detect Graves' orbitopathy?

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Can the DiaGO (Diagnosis of Graves’ orbitopathy) clinical assessment tool reliably and sensitively detect people with and without Graves’ orbitopathy? – a multicentre study

  • IRAS ID

    197561

  • Contact name

    Anna Mitchell

  • Contact email

    Anna.Mitchell1@newcastle.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an inflammatory condition of the eyes associated with Graves’ disease (the commonest cause of an overactive thyroid). TED is also known as Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). In its most severe forms, TED can cause blindness. The earlier TED is treated the better the results however, TED can be difficult to diagnose: delays in diagnosis are common.

    We have developed DiaGO, a clinical assessment tool, to guide doctors in making a possible diagnosis of TED in patients with Graves’. DiaGO is a set of questions and a simple examination of the eyes that can be done quickly by health professionals. We have tested DiaGO on 104 people with Graves’ with and without known TED. In this pilot study, we found that DiaGO can be used to accurately identify TED in patients with Graves’ whose eye condition was previously undiagnosed, prompting referral, early diagnosis and specialist treatment.

    We have received additional funding to carry out further tests on DiaGO. We plan to test DiaGO in a larger study, across multiple UK hospitals, to determine whether it can be used widely in outpatient endocrinology clinics (where Graves’ patients are commonly seen) to help detect TED in patients at an early stage, so that they can be offered early treatment. In phase one of the study, we plan to test and refine DiaGO on Graves' patients. Any with signs or symptoms of GO will be referred to ophthalmology as part of routine care. In phase two, we plan to use DiaGO and then refer all patients, regardless of their DiaGO score and signs/symptoms of TED to ophthalmology. This will allow us to determine the sensitivity and specificity of DiaGO.

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 3

  • REC reference

    16/WS/0046

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 Feb 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion