Are ethnicity, social grade, and social deprivation associated with severity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy?

Purpose: Previous studies have extensively investigated the pathophysiology, genetics, and lifestyle risk factors of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). The aim of this study was to investigate the independent contribution of ethnic origin, social grade, and level of social deprivation to TAO severity in a large, multiethnic, and urban population.

Methods: Retrospective case note review of all TAO patients seen at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, United Kingdom over a 14-year period.