Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: While iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome is common, acquired isolated ACTH deficiency is a rare condition. Hypophysitis is the most common cause, and while most recently published cases are associated with immunotherapy, it may also be idiopathic. Hereby we present a case of cortical adrenal atrophy secondary to idiopathic acquired ACTH deficiency, in order to raise awareness about this condition.Material and Methods: Review of the patient&...

Aim: Description of a series of children and adolescents with Primary Aldosteronism (PA) diagnosed and treated in our Outpatient Hypertension Clinic from 1994 to 2018.Methods: Review of the clinical records and of the relevant literature. Values are given as mean +s.d.Results: 16 of a total of 49 patients younger than 20 years of age referred to our Hypertension Clinic from 1994 to 2018 were diagnosed of PA (33%), while 27 (55%) we...

Aim: Comparing the effect of Faster Aspart insulin (Fiasp®) with previous insulin analogues (aspart, lispro) in type I diabetic patients with sensor-augmented pump therapy.Methods: Patients with Minimed Paradigm® insulin pumps, Enlite® sensors and Guardian® software (able to automatically stop the pump infusion to prevent hypoglycemia) were switched from previous insulin to Faster Aspart. Da...

Aim: To establish the effect of a supplement containing 250 mg red yeast rice extract, 525 mg berberine and 50 mg coenzyme Q10 on insulin sensitivity in patients with hypercholesterolemia and prediabetes.Methods: For this open, uncontrolled study, patients of age 30–75 years, with hypercholesterolemia (LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dl and triglycerides <300 mg/dl), and prediabetes without overt cardiovascular disease, untreated in the previous 6 m...

Introduction: The most frequent causes of hypercalcemia in the general population are primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancies. However, we must sometimes consider other causes, such as Cushing’s syndrome.Clinical case: A 49-year-old man who was being assessed for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was referred to our Endocrinology Clinic in order to investigate the incidental finding of hypercalcemia (11.08 mg/dl) with high PTH (84.6 pg/ml), hypophosp...

Objectives: Main: To assess the effect on the 10-year risk of cardiovascular events (RCVE) of daily supplementation with a fixed combination of red yeast rice extract (250 mg), berberin 525 mg and coenzyme Q10 (50 mg) in patients with self-reported statin intolerance. Secondary: effects on anthropometric (BMI, SBP, DBP, HR) and laboratory (lipids, fasting glucose and HbA1C in diabetic patients, eGFR, AST, ALT, GGT, CK); self-reported compliance and tolera...

Introduction/Aim: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a rare complication in type 2 diabetic patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors; usually there is a triggering factor (major trauma or surgery, sepsis) or misdiagnosis (type 1 diabetes or LADA). Nivolumab is an anti-CD279 monoclonal antibody used as a second-line immunotherapy in non-small cell lung carcinoma; its use has been associated with fulminant type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune endocrine diseases. We hereby present a case of ...

Aim: Description of the differences between patients diagnosed of essential (EH) vs. secondary (SH) hypertension in our Outpatient Hypertension Clinic.Methods: Review of the Clinical Records and of the relevant literature. Comparisons were made by non-paired t-test in continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test in discrete variables.Results: From 1994 to 2018, 49 patients < 20 years old were referred to our (mostly adult)...

Introduction: The defecatory strain in constipated people can raise the blood pressure and occasionally trigger cardiovascular events.Methods: Review of the patient’s clinical records and the relevant literature.Results: Clinical Case: A 53-year old woman with history of breast surgery for adenocarcinoma and chronical constipation had severe resistant hypertension in the previous three years; she had hypertensive crises with ...

Objectives: Understanding and propagating the knowledge of the burden caused by the massive infradiagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism (PA), partly due to unawareness of its high prevalence and partly to the complexity of its screening in Primary Care and workup in Specialized Care.Methods: Review of the relevant literature and personal reflections.Results: PA is the first cause of secondary hypertension and a highly prevalent disease...