Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Lung cancers are one of the leading causes of death worldwide which has resulted in an increase in immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Recent studies have shown induced endocrinopathies secondary to ICIs as a result of pancreatic beta cells, thyroid, and pituitary dysfunction.Aim: We aim to present an interesting case of Type 1 Diabetes mellitus secondary to immunotherapy. Pembrolizumab is used to treat melanoma, ...

Background: Thyroid hormones may affect bone calcium metabolism either by a direct action on osteoclasts or by acting on osteoblasts which mediate osteoclastic bone resorption. Hyperthyroidism induces an accelerated bone loss, causing hypercalcemia and may thereby increase the risk of low energy fractures. Increased IL-6 levels and hyperadrenergic state due to thyrotoxicosis, are also implicated in hypercalcemia.Case: A 33 year old who is a known case of...

Background: Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are increasingly playing a bigger role in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions due to their lower extra pyramidal side effect profile However, SGAs are known to cause clinically relevant metabolic derangements including hyperglycaemiaCase: A 70-year-old gentleman was admitted with generalised weakness and increased urinary frequency (polyuria) and polydipsia. His blood glucose...

Introduction: Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat gram negative, gram positive and atypical bacterial infections. It is a member of the second-generation tetracycline class of antibiotics.Case: We describe a case of a (non-diabetic) male patient who developed hypoglycaemia following treatment with doxycycline. A 73-year-old male presented to the emergency department following a witnessed collapse at 9am on the 4tho...

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to unparalleled burden on national and global healthcare systems. Vaccines were viewed as way of combating Covid 19 pandemic. This led to development and implementation of vaccination programmes worldwide. Several vaccines have been approved for use in worldwide including Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and Moderna vaccine. Disturbingly, the speed at which these va...

Introduction: Development and progression of cancers is multifactorial encompassing several mechanisms that aid its proliferation. One of the hallmarks of cancer progression is inhibition of the immune system. Cancer cells can activate different immune checkpoint are pathways that harbour inhibitory or stimulatory mechanisms that enabled self-tolerance and assist with immune response. Through activation of immune checkpoint pathways cancers can suppress immune response against...

Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy is both an endocrine and a neurosurgical emergency, and can typically present with sudden onset of headaches, impaired level of consciousness, fever, visual disturbances, nausea or vomiting. Apoplexy ensues when pre-existing pituitary tumour presumably outgrows its blood supply leading to ischaemia, necrosis and haemorrhage or infarction.Case: A 31-year-old man presented to the hospital with 3 months’ history of grad...

The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in clinical management of cancer has had an undeniable impact in management of cancer patients. Currently there are several ICIs are used across Europe including but not limited to, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and ipilimumab. Even though their clinical efficacy is reputable, they have the potential of causing serious immunotherapy-related adverse events’ (irADRs) in several organ systems including endocrine organs. ...

Background: Pegylated interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is licensed as an antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative therapy, but may induce autoimmune conditions including Type 1 diabetes Mellitus/latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA). Case Report: A 50-year-old male presented with a 3-week history of polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. Following review by his General Practitioner he was found to have an elevated serum glucose (55.4 mmol/l)....

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis of both small and medium-sized vessels. Pituitary involvement in GPA is uncommon and few cases have been previously reported. Isolated pituitary involvement in GPA is rare and 96% of cases are associated with other organ involvement. GPA commonly affects the upper respiratory tract (93%), lungs (73%) and kidneys (67%).Case...