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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough anyone can develop Graves' disease, a number of factors can increase the risk of disease. These risk factors include the following:
- Family history. Because a family history of Graves' disease is a known risk factor, there is likely a gene or genes that can make a person more susceptible to the disorder.
- Gender. Women are much more likely to develop Graves' disease than are men.
- Age. Graves' disease usually develops in people younger than 40.
- Other autoimmune disorders. People with other disorders of the immune system, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, have an increased risk.
- Emotional or physical stress. Stressful life events or illness may act as a trigger for the onset of Graves' disease among people who are genetically susceptible.
- Pregnancy. Pregnancy or recent childbirth may increase the risk of the disorder, particularly among women who are genetically susceptible.
- Smoking. Cigarette smoking, which can affect the immune system, increases the risk of Graves' disease. The degree of risk is linked to the number of cigarettes smoked daily — the larger the number, the greater the risk. Smokers who have Graves' disease are also at increased risk of developing Graves' ophthalmopathy
References
- Graves' disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/Graves.pdf. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Brent GA. Clinical practice: Graves' disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(24):2594.
- Bahn RS. Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;362:726.
- Bartalena L, et al. Clinical practice: Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine 2009;360:994.
- Davies T, et al. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-3/0/1555/0.html#. Accessed April 20, 2011.
- Thyroid disorders in pregnancy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec18/ch261/ch261q.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Stan MN, et al. Risk factors for development or deterioration of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Thyroid. 2010;20:777.
- Ross DS. Radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364:542.
- Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch152/ch152e.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
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