Endocrine Abstracts

Nocturnal salivary cortisol (NSC), urinary free cortisol (UFC) and overnight dexamethasone suppression testing (ODS) are recommended screening tests for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Individual centers differ in their screening approach; UFC being the test of choice in Northern Ireland with ODS in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. NSC, which measures free cortisol, is not routinely used. The aims of this study were to 1. Evaluate the utility of NSC in the diagnosis of CS; ...

Background: The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) signalling pathway is an element of the innate immune response and is activated by the presence of DNA in the cytosol. Triggering of this immune response may occur in the setting of infection or neoplasia. Activation of this pathway results in phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 and downstream transcription of cytokines such as interferon β and interleukin-6. Polyinosinic:pol...

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by lifelong elevation of serum calcium concentrations with inappropriately low urinary calcium excretion. Three types referred to as FHH1, FHH2 and FHH3 and located on chromosomes 3q21.1, 19p and 19q13.3, respectively, have been reported. FHH1, caused by loss-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), accounts for >65% of FHH patients. To identify the gen...

Background: Large series of patients elucidating the natural history of conservatively managed non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (macroNFPAs) and relevant prognostic factors are not available.Objectives: Clarify long-term outcomes of macroNFPAs in large cohort of patients.Methods: Multi-centre [21 UK endocrine departments-UK NFPA consortium], retrospective, cohort study of ca...