Endocrine Abstracts

Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is challenging and requires intensive glucose monitoring and titration of insulin in order to obtain near-normal glucose levels to reduce the risk of complications. However, changes in dietary intake and level of activity can cause large glucose excursions. Continuous glucose monitoring systems, either intermittently scanned either real-time, can provide a comprehensive picture of glucose profiles, allowing patients to make therapeutic adjustm...

Background: Distinguishing pseudo-Cushing syndrome (PCS) from mild forms of Cushing’s disease (CD) is a challenge. The dexamethasone-Corticotropin Releasing Hormone test (dex-CRH) assumes that cortisol response to CRH is preserved in CD while suppressed in PCS after the low dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). Methods: Persons with a suspicion of CD based on mild clinical features and a positive first-line screening test were included. They ...

Introduction: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing in individuals with T1D, which could potentiate the development of NAFLD. The pathophysiology of NAFLD in T1D is still unclear, due to the co-existence of predisposing and protective factors. Insulin resistance (IR) is theorized as a key driver of NAFLD.Aim: We investigated the association between liver fat content (LFC), NAFLD, and IR in individuals with T1D. Subjects underwent magnetic re...

Background: Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is a prevalent, but underdiagnosed syndrome. Diagnosis and treatment have been relatively constant since the development of the latest Endocrine Society guidelines in 2016.Study objective: Baseline characteristics, treatment and follow-up of subjects with PA referred for adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in a tertiary hospital since 2009 are presented.Results: Thirty five subjects (M/F: 17/18...

Background and aimsLow levels of testosterone and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese men are both linked to the metabolic syndrome, but the independent association between testosterone and NAFLD needs to be elucidated. In this cross-sectional analysis the association between total testosterone (total T) and calculated free testosterone (cFT) on the one hand and NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis on the other hand was...

Background: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), despite insulin therapy. Insulin resistance is strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and CVD. The euglycemic clamp, the gold standard to assess insulin resistance in T1D, is unsuited for clinical practice. The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is increasingly used as an alternative in T1D, but its role as a NAFLD or CVD predictor is unexplor...

Background: Current guidelines recommend repeat evaluation of a benign thyroid nodule after 1 to 2 years, which is only based on expert opinion. Objective data are needed to evaluate this recommendation.Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study to describe the follow-up and incidence of malignancy in EU-TIRADS 3 nodules for which a fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was indicated between 2017 and 2022. PET-positive thyroid nodules and thyro...

Introduction: Primary Adrenal Insufficiency (PAI or Addison’s disease) is a rare disease with an increasing prevalence that may be complicated by life-threatening acute adrenal crisis. Valid epidemiological data are difficult to obtain. In Belgium, a national PAI registry had not been established yet.Objective: We collected epidemiological and clinical data in a large cohort of adult patients with a known Addison’s disease to have a better know...

To estimate the point prevalence of active Cushing’s disease (CD) in Belgium, all endocrinologists were invited to perform a retrospective chart review of the CD patients they had been treating between 1-1-2009 and 31-12-2010.Only patients requiring cortisol lowering therapy because of cortisol excess could be included, such as de novo patients (n=53), previously diagnosed patients with persisting/recurrent disease after pituitary surgery a...

Introduction: Acromegaly is associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. A robust clinical programme (14 trials) established pasireotide as an effective second-generation somatostatin receptor ligand for the treatment of various endocrine conditions, including acromegaly. Patients who completed a previous pasireotide trial and continued to receive clinical benefit, according to the parent study investigator, could continue treatment in the B2412 rollover ...