Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Internet users perform health information-seeking searches triggered by personal symptoms or diseases. Such searches may provide information - albeit indirectly - on disease patterns and epidemiology (PLoS One. 2014, 9:e109583, PNAS 2016; 113:6689-94). It was recently reported that in Asia (more particularly in Taiwan), online searches for obesity and diet (indirectly reflecting corresponding health-seeking behaviors) at times of financial crisis (recession) were...

Introduction: Virilizing tumors are rare, but frequent cause of virilization in postmenopausal women.Case report: A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a rapid onset of hirsutism with increased terminal hair growth, particular on chin and abdomen, frontal male pattern balding in the last 5 months. Physical examination revealed a low-pitched, deepened voice and clitoromegaly. The Ferriman–Gallwey score was 18. Laboratory evaluation: Testo...

Introduction: Betamethasone (BM) is widely used in pregnancy. Its diabetogenic potential is known, and in combination with placental insulin resistance in pregnancy, leads to a transient increase in glycemia. Our aim was to study the changes in glycemia in women with singleton pregnancies and pre-existing diabetes mellitus, under insulin therapy, after administration of BM for obstetric causes.Materials and methods: We closely monitored and assessed the ...

Introduction: Prolactinomas are rarely found in adolescents under 15 (incidence 0.1/1.000.000). They account for 50% of all types of pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence (2% of intracranial tumors). The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is 2.4 years on average for girls. In cases of macroadenomas, TSH and GH deficiency may coexist. The gold standard primary therapy is dopamine agonists. In case of non-response, or the presence of large prolactinomas with...

Objective: Androgen may be detrimental in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. We investigated possible associations between the (TAAAA)n polymorphism of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) gene promoter, which influences transcriptional efficiency of the SHBG gene and the severity of CAD in women.Methods: One hundred and twenty women (37–82 yrs), undergoing coronary angiography. CAD severity, history of angina, myocardial infa...

Although bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) is the most accurate procedure for the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome, a false-negative rate of 4–15% has been reported. An even lower sensitivity has been shown in patients with equivocal responses to CRH and/or high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDST). In the present study we investigated whether the administration of CRH plus desmopressin (DDAVP) during BIPPS, which is ...

Introduction: Asprosin is a novel adipokine that is released in response to fasting and can elicit orexigenic and glucogenic effects. Circulating asprosin levels are elevated in a number of cardio-metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In vitro studies have reported pro-inflammatory effects of asprosin in pancreatic β-cells and skeletal muscle cells, which appear to be mediated via a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediated pathway, and m...

Empty sella is an incidental finding characterised by the herniation of subarachnoid space into the sella turcica with resultant flattening of pituitary gland to varying extent. It was considered benign. But recent reviews have shown its association with some neuroendocrinopathies.Aims and Objectives: To determine if patients with radiological diagnosis of PESS were;1. Referred to Endocrinology team?2. What p...

Introduction: In the Covid-19 era mass media present people worldwide, including in Greece, to transiently flock to green spaces and parks. A study from the Western United States in 2020, indicated that indeed, park visitation may have increased by 20% compared to baseline (the immediate pre-Covid-19 period). The Google mobility index (GMI) is based on location data/visits - from smartphone users - to various areas; among areas of mobility the GMI can focus specifically on vis...

Case history: Carbimazole, a widely used medication to treat hyperthyroidism, is associated with several well-established side effects. Carbimazole-induced lymphopenia is however rarely reported in the literature. This case focuses on a 57-year-old lady diagnosed with Graves’ Disease (GD) in 2015. She was started on Carbimazole which eventually stabilised her thyroid function; her severe thyroid eye disease precluded definitive treatment with radioiodine however she was r...