Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life threatening autosomal recessive genetic disease in the United States. Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is the most common co-morbidity of CF, and, as patients age, the likelihood of developing diabetes increases. CFRD leads to decreased lung function, poor nutritional status, and decreased survival rates. Symptoms can be subtle and may be overlooked. The extent to which individuals with CF know about CFRD is unkno...

Annual reports have been provided to the UK Acromegaly Database on 72 patients seen in Aberdeen during the past decade (41 women, mean age at diagnosis 47 yrs, mean GH at diagnosis 59 mU/l and 60% with macroadenomas). Thirty percent had glucose intolerance and 33% hypertension. Fifty-eight percent underwent surgery, 36% external radiotherapy (XRT, either alone or as adjuvant therapy) and 17% primary medical therapy (PMT, 4 had declined surgery). Thirty-seven percent are curren...

Background: Compound heterozygous POLE1 mutations have previously been described as a cause of IMAGe syndrome. The severity of the adrenal insufficiency (AI) at initial presentation has been a subject of ongoing debate. Case report: At 22 weeks gestation the proband’s mother was referred to paediatric endocrinology for low oestriol on antenatal quadruple testing. The pregnancy was complicated by severe growth restriction leading to emergency caesare...

An 88-year-old Caucasian man with hypertension, single functioning kidney, vitamin D insufficiency and transurethral resection of the prostate was admitted with worsening confusion. On admission, he had acute on chronic renal impairment (Urea- 17.2 mmol/l (range: 2.5–7.5 mmol/l), Creatinine- 163 μmol/l (range: 60–120 μmol/l), eGFR- 35 (Baseline- 60 ml/min/1.73m2) and a normal serum/corrected calcium (2.51 mmol/l (range- 2.2–2.6mmol/l). He wa...

Background: Anaplastic carcinoma and primary lymphoma (TL) each constitute <2% of thyroid malignancies and are difficult to distinguish clinically. Both typically present with rapidly enlarging anterior neck masses in the elderly. Both may cause pressure symptoms (e.g. dysphagia, stridor and hoarseness). Differentiation is imperative as their treatment and prognoses differ.Case report: A 68-year-old man presented with a rapidly enlarging thyroid mass...

Background: Since receiving its UK licence in 1994, cabergoline [CAB] has become the dopamine agonist of choice for the management of hyperprolactinaemia in most UK endocrine units. Aim: To review the outcomes for the mother and neonate when CAB is taken during conception and into early gestation. Method: Retrospective review of Aberdeen casenotes from all hyperprolactinaemic women of childbearing age on CAB therapy and those of their live born infants. Results: Twenty women w...

Aim: To assess whether adults in Scotland currently receiving growth hormone (GH) meet the NICE criteria for starting and continuing GH replacement.Methods: We surveyed all endocrinologists in Scotland and identified the main centres using GH replacement. A cross-sectional case note review was carried out of all patients commenced on GH.Results: About 208 patients (51% women; 24% professionals, 90% Caucasian) were identified, 69 of...

Background: National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the use of Growth Hormone (GH) replacement in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) were published in 2003, and subsequently ratified for use in Scotland.Aim: To identify all adults in Scotland currently receiving GH and to assess whether they meet the NICE criteria for starting and continuing GH replacement.Methods: All endocrinologists in Scotland were surveye...

Objective: To establish the efficacy of CAB as primary and exclusive therapy in the management of macroprolactinomasMethod: Retrospective case note review of all patients with macroprolactinomas treated with CAB since the drug received a UK licence in 1994. Patients: Sixteen patients (8males, 8 females) with mean age at presentation of 42.3yrs (range 22-72 years) were treated with initial CAB doses ranging from 0.5-1mg/week (median 1mg/week). Results: T...