The occurrence of Graves disease (autoimmune thyrotoxicosis) in endocrinologists at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City from 1954 to 2011.

OBJECTIVE

We report on the unique occurrence of Graves disease (thyrotoxicosis) in 7 male endocrinologists at the Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) in New York City, New York between 1954 and 2011.

METHODS

We followed the endocrinologists and fellows assigned to the division over a period of 57 years by survey and personal contact. In the statistical studies, we assumed that the number of cases had a Poisson distribution and computed the exact probability based on the expected values.

RESULTS

Seven male endocrinologists had proven thyrotoxicosis during or following their service in the Endocrine Division at MSH. Six had a family history of thyrotoxicosis. None had known iodine 131 (131-I) thyroid contamination.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of thyrotoxicosis greatly exceeds the rate predicted. Postulated factors in the causation of this unique occurrence are discussed.