Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypercholesterolemia has an established causal role in the progression of atherosclerosis and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In studies carried out after 2002, the estimated prevalence of self-reported dyslipidemia in the Greek population ranges from 11% to 23%, whereas approximately 35% of mortality in Greece is attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Relevant real-life data, however, are scarce.Methods: In the present stud...

Introduction: Most of pituitary adenomas are sporadic, with only 5% of them attributed to genetic mutations and syndromes such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1). However, how easy is it for a doctor to suspect it when there is no known family history?Case Presentation: A 36-year-old patient with no personal or family history presented to our Endocrine Department reporting intermittent episodes of unconsciousness during the last 48 hours. The...

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-dependent nuclear receptor which regulates the transcription of a wide spectrum of genes that are responsible for vital immunological, metabolic, developmental, and anti-inflammatory functions. GR transcriptional regulatory effects are modulated by co-regulators including the tetratricopeptide 5 (TTC5) which has been shown to stabilize GR and alter its action in response to cellular stress. TTC5 is a stress-responsive activator of p300 ...

Introduction: Acromegaly is associated with skeletal changes that are characterized by appositional bone growth, increased bone dimensions and increased bone turnover. PTH is an important regulator of bone remodeling and its anabolic action requires the presence of GH. The strong correlation found between PTH concentrations and bone turnover markers in active and treated acromegaly has led to the suggestion, that the effect of GH on bone turnover may be mediated by PTH. Succes...

Introduction: Between 5-10% of patients with hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine (T4) continue to experience profound symptoms, despite achieving free T4/thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations within reference range. Liothyronine is sometimes added to levothyroxine, but its use is controversial due to uncertainties in clinical/cost effectiveness.Methods: An economic model was developed to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life ...

Objective: Published results of reduced morbidity and mortality with tight Glycemic Control of critical patients could not be reproduced in large prospective trials. Glycemic goals according to current respective guidelines include a target blood glucose range 140-180 mg/dl, while lower blood glucose targets may be appropriate for some patients. This study aims to provide real world evidence to this field.Methods: We performed a retrospective study using...

Background: PCOS is a common female endocrine disorder, exacerbated by obesity. International guidelines therefore suggest weight loss as first line management. This service evaluation assessed the care pathway of patients referred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) with suspected PCOS. We aimed to assess the referral wait time, reason for referral, treatment offered, and weight management in clinic.Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional stud...

Hypercortisolaemia (Cushing’s Syndrome) is characterised by abdominal fat accumulation and gluteofemoral fat loss. The mechanisms underpinning this fat mass redistribution are unknown. Adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) and net fatty acid release rate (lipolysis) are important determinants of depot-specific fat mass. We hypothesized that hypercortisolaemia may result in increased femoral ATBF and lipolysis promoting gluteofemoral fat mass loss. We recruited nine healthy mal...

Background: TSH secreting pituitary adenomas represent small proportion of functional pituitary tumours presenting as hyperthyroidism with elevated thyroid hormone levels and inappropriately normal or increased TSH concentration. They are ≥1 cm in size and quite aggressive with tendency to relapse following transphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). Surgical resection remains gold standard in their definitive treatment while pharmacotherapy with long-acting somatostatin analogue...

Introduction: Pituitary surgery is associated with post-operative complications including hypopituitarism and visual field defects. In order to ensure that our surgical outcomes were comparable with other centres, we audited the outcome of a cohort of patients referred for surgery at a single centre.Methods: A retrospective audit of 27 consecutive patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma at Heartlands Hospital Birmingham, who underwent trans-sphenoidal ...