Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) predisposes patients to infections, which can precipitate life-threatening adrenal crises. PAI patients are thought to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19; however, little is known about its true impact on this group.Aim: To assess morbidity and health promotion attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst a large cohort of PAI patients.Methods: In May 2020 COVID-19 information, ...

Background: Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) carry an increased risk of infections which can precipitate adrenal crises. They are thought to be more likely to contract COVID-19 and develop severe disease; however, little is known about the true impact of COVID-19 on these patients.Objectives: To assess the response of a large single-centre cohort of PAI patients to COVID-19, focusing on morbidity and health promotion attitudes.<p cla...

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. We identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as one of the most overexpressed genes and potential drug target in ACC. PLK1 inhibitors (PLK1i) are under evaluation in clinical trials for other malignancies, being more effective in TP53-mutated tumours. Here we test PLK1i efficacy in four ACC cell lines with different genetic background. Efficacy of three PLK1i (i.e. Volaserti...

Introduction: Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute endocrine emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and management. Common misconception is that DKA is associated with type 1 diabetes only. We explored the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes, and compared the management, complications and outcome of DKA between people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on people admitted with DKA across six hospi...

Background: Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) is an acute metabolic complication of diabetes that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if managed incorrectly. With <1% prevalence, there is limited published literature available on HHS and most management guidelines worldwide are based solely on expert advice and opinions.Aims: To study the precipitating causes and identify baseline practises of HHS management, to highlight areas for ...

Background: Serious complications of diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) and its management with fixed rate insulin infusion (FRIII) include hypoglycaemia, hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia. Revised Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care (JBDS) guidelines in July 2021 recommended a reduced rate FRIII of 0.05 units/kg/hour from 0.1 units/kg/hour once blood glucose levels fall to ≤14.0 mmol/l to alleviate the risk of these complications.Aim...

Objectives: Pre-clinical medical education is mainly delivered in didactic large-group lectures, where complex new terminology and concepts are introduced. Mounting evidence suggests that pre-class activities introducing new material can increase student performance. Concise Medical Information Cines (CoMICs) compresses information on various diseases into 5-minute videos. This study assessed the effectiveness of CoMICs as a pre-lecture resource to enhance learning and motivat...

Background: Simulation via Instant Messaging - Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is an online simulation learning modality designed to recreate clinical scenarios, allowing participants to increase their confidence in a safe environment without compromising patient safety. The global rating scale (GRS) is a commonly used assessment tool in medical schools to assess participant competence and skills. Following SIMBA sessions, an independent assessor anonymously scores participants&#14...

Introduction: Simulation via Instant Messaging - Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is a simulation learning modality designed to recreate real-life clinical scenarios, in a safe environment to help improve participants’ confidence in solving such cases.Objective: To study SIMBA’s effectiveness in improving confidence in managing obesity-related cases and whether the country of residence and modality of attendance influence change in confidence.<p ...

Introduction: Simulation via Instant Messaging -Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is a virtual platform which simulates anonymised, real-life clinical cases to train healthcare professionals. Participants’ competence is assessed using an adapted version of the global rating scale (GRS) commonly used in medical schools.Aims: To compare GRS scores of participants according to country of residence and domains assessed as part of simulation.<p class="abste...