AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy by using a Meta-analysis of the literature.

METHODS: Databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, Weipu, China Biomedical, PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrial.gov were searched. From the establishment of the database to December 31, 2019 on rituximab clinical studies on the treatment of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy. The clinical activity score of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy before and after treatment was used as the main judgment index of curative effect. The retrieved clinical studies were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 statistical software.

RESULTS: Six studies were included, two were randomized controlled trials, and four were cohort studies. Meta analysis showed that the application of rituximab in the treatment of moderate to severe thyroid associated ophthalmopathy can significantly reduce the clinical activity score of patients, and has statistical significance \〖SMD=-5.04, 95% CI(-7.08 to -3.01), P<0.00001\〗.

CONCLUSION: Rituximab can significantly reduce the clinical activity score of patients with moderate to severe thyroid associated ophthalmopathy, and has a good effect on disease control.