Predictors of outcome in myxoedema coma

Crit Care. 2008;12(1):111. doi: 10.1186/cc6218. Epub 2008 Jan 23.

Abstract

Myxoedema coma is a rare and life-threatening illness the outcome of which has not been robustly studied in large numbers, partly due to its low incidence. Dutta and colleagues have explored outcome predictors in a developing country where access to thyroid function tests is more limited than in the Western world. Cardiovascular instability, reduced consciousness, persistent hypothermia, and sepsis all contributed to a poorer outcome, as has been demonstrated before, but a generic outcome predictor model was shown to be useful in this group of patients. Unfortunately, this observational study was unable to show differences in outcome based on replacement treatment methods and the mortality remains at 40%.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Myxedema / diagnosis*
  • Myxedema / drug therapy
  • Myxedema / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroxine / blood
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Triiodothyronine / blood

Substances

  • Triiodothyronine
  • Thyroxine