Endocrine Abstracts

Thyroid dysfunction affects a considerable number of elderly subjects. However the role of screening and treatment of thyroid disorders in geriatric population is still debated. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its impact on comorbidity and comedication.Two independent populations were evaluated: 2001 residents in 21 federated nursing homes in the province of Pavia (Northern Italy), age >60 y, and ...

In elderly subjects the mortality rate after hip fractures ranges from 18 to 33% within one year; among survivors, 40% did not return to the previous level of functional ability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal changes of some markers of bone metabolism in relation to functional and nutritional status.Thirthy-seven subjects aged more 70y with a new vertebral or hip fracture were admitted to the study. Thirthy age-matched and not fr...

Sweet syndrome is a febrile dermatosis characterized by painful light red patches of quite different size involving various skin zones associated with flu like symptoms, arthralgias and rarely frank arthritis. Originally considered rare, over 500 cases in the past 10 years have been described. The etiology of Sweet’s syndrome is unknown, but a type of hypersensitivity reaction leading to stimulation of a cascade of cytokines has been strongly suggested. In very few cases ...