Which condition refers to only signs, no symptoms in the NOSPECS grading system?

In the NOSPECS grading system, which is used primarily to assess Graves' orbitopathy, the category that refers to only signs and no symptoms is indeed the correct answer. This grading system helps in understanding the severity and extent of the condition. When a patient presents with only signs, it means that observable physical manifestations of the condition are present, but the patient does not report any subjective feelings of discomfort or other symptoms.

This distinction is crucial in clinical practice; it informs the healthcare provider about the patient’s condition without any accompanying subjective complaints. Recognizing that a condition can exist in this isolated state is important for monitoring and treatment decisions, as it may indicate a need for future observation rather than immediate intervention.

In this context, the other options present different aspects of the grading system: soft tissue involvement and proptosis are more advanced stages of the disease where both signs and symptoms may be evident, while the option that describes 'no signs or symptoms' represents a completely asymptomatic state, which wouldn’t fit into the category that specifies only signs are present. Thus, 'only signs' accurately describes the situation covered by the correct choice in the NOSPECS grading system.