Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Permanent hypoparathyroidism can result from immune-mediated destruction of the parathyroid glands. Alternatively it may result from activating antibodies to the calcium sensing receptor that decrease parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is a common feature of poliglandular autoimmune syndrome type I. Other causes, all very rare, include irradiation and storage of infiltrative diseases of the parathyroid glands. Neurological signs of h...

Introduction: Anorchia or vanishing testis syndrome is defined as the absence of testicular tissue in genetic and phenotypic males. To establish this diagnosis certain criteria must be present, namely non palpable testis during examination under anaesthesia and blind ending spermatic vessels visualized within the retroperitoneu, or the spermatic vessels and vas deferens exiting a closed internal inguinal ring. Bilateral congenital anorchia affects one in 20 000 males.<p cl...

Background: Graves’ Disease (GD) is one of the most common organ specific autoimmune disorders, being characterized by an abnormal production of stimulating autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). Some studies demonstrated that genetic polymorphisms in certain cytokines, namely interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), are associated with a greater susceptibility of developing GD. Our aim was to evaluate ...

Aim: To evaluate the serum levels of resistin and adiponectin, and the potential relationship between these adipokines, thyroid function, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).Methods: patients with AIT (58 females; 47.7±16.7 years) were studied; 33 of them had also SCH. These patients were diagnosed by a positive result in an anti-peroxidase...

Introduction: POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes) syndrome is a rare multisystemic disease. Diagnosis requires two major criteria and at least one minor criterion. Major criteria include polineuropathy and a monoclonal plasma proliferative disorder (almost always lambda). Minor criteria include osteosclerotic bone lesions, Castleman disease, organomegaly (including lymphadenopathy), oedema, pleural effusion or ascites, e...

Introduction: Ectopic Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease, with a reported incidence of 0.1/million per year. This disorder accounts for approximately 12–17% of patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Small cell lung carcinoma is responsible for about 20% of cases, although ectopic ACTH hypersecretion occurs in only 0.5–2% of these tumours. Hypercortisolaemia is usually severe and of rapid onset. Optimal treatment is surgical excision of the tumou...

Introduction: The recognition of thyroid microcarcinoma has been increasing in recent years probably as a result of the widespread use of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of small non palpable nodules and possibly of a more extensive histological examination.Objectives: To describe clinical and histological characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and compare them according to its size (< or ≥5 mm).<p clas...

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) is a subject of increasing interest in the health context. Applied to a chronic condition like diabetes, this issue could give an overall perspective of the health outcome.Objective: To evaluate the coping mechanisms, the treatment issues and its contribution to QoL of diabetes patients.Patients and methods: We gathered a sample of 94 diabetic subjects, 50% males, 55.3% type 1, with a mean age of...

Introduction: Given the significant impact of thyroid function on body weight, energy metabolism and adipocytes physiology, our aim was to study the impact of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in plasmatic levels of adipokines and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1).Methods: We evaluated 98 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease divided into three groups: 30 who were euthyroid (TSH=0.35–4.94 UI/ml), 35 with subclinical hypothyroidism (hypoSC,...

Objective: To examine whether Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) are associated with insulin resistance and other cardiovascular risk factors.Subjects and methods: We recorded thyroid function tests, BMI, insulin resistance markers comprising the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR and HOMA-B), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), hepatic insulin sensitivity index (HISI), whole-body i...