Applying prednisone after radioactive iodine is helpful to reduce gastrointestinal reactions for papillary thyroid carcinoma patients

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical value of prednisone for preventing the occurrence of adverse reactions after radioactive iodine (RAI) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: 220 consecutive PTC patients who undergone RAI were included in the study. From March 16 to April 27, 2020, patients accepted prednisone and from May 6 to July 20, 2020, patients enrolled who were not applied with prednisone. Clinicopathological characteristics, RAI treatment effect, and adverse reactions after RAI were compared between the two groups. Result:127 patients were in prednisone treatment group (91 females and 36 males; mean age, 41.46±11.65), 93 patients were in control group (73 females and 20 males; mean age, 43.12±11.19). There was no statistical difference in gender, age, T stage, N stage, ATA risk classification, pre-ablation Tg and RAI treatment effect between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the proportion of gastrointestinal reaction and parotid enlargement in prednisone treatment group was lower. The duration of gastrointestinal reactions in the prednisone treatment group was shorter than that in the control group. Conclusion: To some extent, applying prednisone to PTC patients could control gastrointestinal reaction after RAI therapy, but it should be cautious when applying it for patients.