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Local Betamethasone Versus Triamcinolone Injection in Management of Thyroid Eye Disease

Local Betamethasone Versus Triamcinolone Injection in Management of Thyroid-Related Upper Lid Retraction With and Without Proptosis

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04976816
Enrollment
92
Registered
2021-07-26
Start date
2021-12-01
Completion date
2023-10-30
Last updated
2023-11-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Thyroid Eye Disease

Brief summary

To compare the efficacy of local injections of two different types of steroid (betamethasone suspension versus triamcinolone acetate) in management of patients with thyroid-related upper lid retraction either isolated or associated with proptosis.

Detailed description

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a complex autoimmune disorder that causes substantial morbidity. It can result in enlargement and scarring of orbital fat and muscles with orbital disfigurement, diplopia, and even vision loss. Although the disease is self-limited following an inflammatory phase of 12 - 18 months, its long-term changes to periocular tissues may have a significant effect on the quality of life, mental health, and socioeconomic status of patients. Most patients with TED (\>90%) have Graves' disease, which is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that is caused by thyrotropin (TSH) receptor autoantibodies. Graves' disease is common around the world and it mainly affects middle-aged women with an overall prevalence of 0.5%. Several validated assessment scores are used to assess different components of the disease. The two main current TED classifications are from the European Group on Graves Orbitopathy (EUGOGO); and Vision, Inflammation, Strabismus, Appearance (VISA). EUGOGO has introduced one score for clinical activity (CAS) and one for severity Clinical Severity Score (CSS). The baseline CAS asses 7 subjective symptoms and inflammatory signs with 3 additional points in follow-up for increased proptosis, decreased ocular motility, or decreased visual acuity (the CAS 10- point scale). In comparison, CSS evaluates the magnitude of the exophthalmometer or proptosis values, lid retraction, diplopia grades, and corneal involvement. Periorbital inflammation can cause swelling, fatty infiltration, and scarring of the eyelid muscles, resulting in eyelid retraction and upper scleral exposure, which are the most common clinical features of TED. Several treatment options have been described for correction of eyelid retraction (ELR), including local steroid, Botox and filler injection, and surgeries in the fibrotic stage. Although surgical treatment remains an effective option, the outcomes may be unpredictable. In addition, there are some situations where surgery is inappropriate or contraindicated, where temporary or definitive measures are required during the active phase of the disease, or where patients may prefer less invasive options. Systemic steroid therapy is a well-established form of immunosuppressive treatment for TED. There have been reports showing promising results with local steroid injection for the treatment of upper eyelid retraction (UER), There are also some reports about the retrobulbar and periocular injection of steroids for management of proptosis in TED.

Interventions

PROCEDUREperi-levator betamethasone injection

The injection dose was 1 ml of betamethasone suspension (1 ml contains 5 mg betamethasone dipropionate &2 mg betamethasone sodium phosphate). The needle was introduced percutaneously superior to the globe and advanced towards the orbital roof to a depth of approximately 15 mm where the injection was delivered. The injection was repeated every 4 weeks according to the clinical response up to 5 injections.

PROCEDUREperi-levator triamcinolone injection

The needle was introduced percutaneously superior to the globe and advanced towards the orbital roof to a depth of approximately 15 mm where 1ml (40mg/ml) triamcinolone acetate was injected. The injection was repeated every 4 weeks according to the clinical response up to 5 injections.

PROCEDUREperi-levator and retrobulbar betamethasone injection

In addition to peri-levator betamethasone injection for UER, a retrobulbar injection for proptosis was given with the needle introduced through the skin of the lateral one-third of the lower eyelid and passed posteriorly, medially, and upward to reach the retrobulbar space.

PROCEDUREperi-levator and retrobulbar triamcinolone injection

In addition to peri-levator triamcinolone injection for UER, a retrobulbar injection for proptosis was given with the needle introduced through the skin of the lateral one-third of the lower eyelid and passed posteriorly, medially, and upward to reach the retrobulbar space.

Sponsors

Assiut University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of Thyroid Eye Disease. * Thyroid function within normal range.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients on systemic steroid and or immunosuppressive therapy. * Patients underwent thyroidectomy. * Sight threatening (severe) TED which requires immediate surgery. * Patients with fibrotic ocular muscles who need surgery. * Contraindications to steroid therapy as in pregnant women.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
to measure the change in MRD1 in mm using slit lamp biomicroscope in all groups after peri-levator injection of different types of steroid2 minutesThe technique was considered; 1) Effective if the MRD1 reached the normal value\< or= 4.5mm, 2) Partially effective if the MRD1 was improved but did not reach the normal values, 3) Ineffective if no improvement occured in MRD1
to measure the change in proptosis in mm using Hertel's exophthalmometer in group B after retrobulbar injection of different types of steroid4 minutesThe technique will be considered; 1) Effective if the reading of Hertel's exophthalmometer reached the normal value (16±2mm), 2) Partially effective if the proptosis was improved but did not reach the normal values, 3) Ineffective of no improvement occured in proptosis

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
to document any change in size of superior rectus levator complex and other extra-ocular muscles4 minutesmeasuring size of superior rectus levator complex and other extra-ocular muscles before and after injections by orbital imaging techniques (CT or MRI).

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026