Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Digital epidemiology uses digital data which was not generated with the primary goal of serving epidemiological research (Life Sci Soc Pol 2018; 14:1). Recently, time and geographical correlation was noted between Google Trends findings and the prevalence of coronary artery disease (JACC, 2018, 71:98). Furthermore, using Google Trends, we have noted that the search terms ‘fatigue/weakness’ were correlated with the terms ‘hypothyroidism/thyroiditis&...

Introduction: Recently Roche Diagnostics (Rotkreuz, Switzerland) introduced the third generation of its Elecsys free thyroxine (FT4 iii) assay (in Greece from February 2019 onwards). The new assay is considered to have reduced biotin interference compared to its previous version (Ft4 ii). Kits of the FT4 ii assay are still available (and valid) according to the manufacturer’s expiration date. Using the FT4 ii assay per the manufacturer’s instructions we noticed FT4...

Introduction: In a US study of general practitioners, 50%-60% of their working time was found to be dedicated to paperwork and electronic medical record-keeping (including electronic prescription – EPC writing)1.Aim: Given the mandatory use of EPC in Greece, we wanted to assess the time required for this in the daily practice of our outpatient endocrinology clinic.Method: In one of the outpatient (OUP) clinics of t...

Introduction/Aim: Disease awareness days are numerous and varied [1]. In the present study we tried to assess the short-term impact of the 2017 diabetes awareness day in Greece by examining localized relevant internet-based searches.Materials/Methods: We collected data from Google TrendsTM regarding relative [internet] search volumes (RSVs) with key words “diabetes” (in Greek and English; study group) and “breast cancer” (a...

Introduction: Exposure to air pollution and in particular to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or particulate pollutants less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) or 10 µm (PM10) in diameter has been linked to thyroid (dys)function in pregnant women. The environmental degradation that has occurred in recent years in the region of Athens led us to a local study of air pollution against thyroid function in pregnant women in Athens. We hypothesized that there may be a dose-effect relati...

Erectile dysfunction is a common complaint of men with hypogonadism. We present the case-history of a 42-year-old man who complained of erectile dysfunction for four years. Previous paternity was mentioned in his past medical history. On clinical examination his appearance was eunuchoid with frontal balding, reduced chest hair and lipomastia. Bilateral ptosis was also noticed and after being questioned the patient admitted that he had surgically repaired eyelid ptosis one year...

Introduction: Metastases to the thyroid are rare (1.4–3% of malignant solid tumors). When present, metastatic cancers mimic the ultrasound image of the thyroid parenchyma, hindering diagnosis. Breast cancer rarely metastasizes to the thyroid.Case: A 61-year-old woman was referred for goiterin the context of post-surgery evaluation for breast cancer. Thyrotropin (1.14 mIU/l), calcitonin (0.5 pg/ml) and parathyroidhormone (54 pg/ml) levels were norma...

Introduction: Lactation is a period of particular importance regarding the management of glycemia in women with Diabetes Mellitus type 1 (DM1), the aim being to prevent hypoglycemia during breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the variation of insulin requirements during lactation in comparison with pre-pregnancy levels in women with DM1 and to find potential correlation factors.Materials-methods: We conducted a retrospective case f...

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: 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 ...