Endocrine Abstracts

ERCUSYN owned by ESE, was set up in 2007 with European funding for 3 years. Sustainability has been achieved by agreements with pharma, and generous support from funding partners and Lohmann and Birkner GmBH, who established and maintained the on-line registry and web (www.ercusyn.eu).On-line brochures for patients and physicians are available in different languages, as well as details on >50 participating centres ...

Cushing syndrome (CS) is associated with systemic complications, like central obesity, ‘moon’ face, limb atrophy, increased fat mass and reduced bone and lean body mass, excessive fatigue, purple striae, easy bruising and skin ulceration, hirsutism, hypogonadism and decreased libido. Morbidity like hypertension, insulin resistance and/or diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prothrombotic state, vascular disease, atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk, acquired...

A 28-year-old lady who was born with ambiguous genitalia. A decision was made to rear the patient as male, and was subsequently registered as a boy. Investigations demonstrated a chromosomal mosaic pattern 45XO/46XY fitting the category of mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Internal organs were more suggestive of a female type: uterus, vagina, and fallopian tubes, gonads were variable but typically an ovary on one side and a testis on the other. HCG test showed a brisk rise in serum te...

As endocrinologists, we consider a patient with a pituitary disease is controlled if hormone parameters are normalized and tumour growth is stabilized. However, the patients’ perception of health is related to whether they can continue performing their daily life, both personal and professional; this is often not the case due to pain, physical or psychological limitations or social/family issues related to their disease. This is more relevant nowadays that pituitary dysfu...

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with systemic complications, which despite successful treatment are not always totally reversible. Morbidity like venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, peptic ulcers, fractures and infections are higher in patients diagnosed with CS, both of adrenal and pituitary origin, and remain elevated during long-term follow-up. In fact, this increased multimorbidity risk is even present in the 3 years before diagnosis, as demon...

Introduction: The production of an oocyte competent of fertilisation and normal embryonic development is controlled by a series of highly organised signals and intracellular events which are known to be affected by physiological glucocorticoids. The actions of these adrenal steroids are modulated by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) enzymes and we have recently reported that 11β-HSD activity in porcine oocytes increases 20-fold during meiotic maturation...

Background: South Asians are at higher risk of vascular disease than the indigenous UK population. Susceptibility to conventional cardiovascular risk factors does not entirely account for this discrepancy. Vitamin D deficiency within this group may be an important patho-physiological contributor and an overlooked treatable cardiovascular risk factor.Aims: To determine whether serum 25-(OH) Vitamin D concentration independently associates with a surrogate...

Case History: A 60 year old female presented with anxiety and weight loss. Serum free T4 was 50 pmol/l (normal 12-23). Despite restoring T4 to normal, symptoms persisted and included flushing attacks. Urine 5-HIAA was elevated (182 micro moles/24 hrs; normal 0-40).Tests were done to locate the primary and secondary carcinoid tumour.Investigations: CT of thorax and abdomen, and ultrasound of abdomen were negative. Routine biochemistry and haematology were...

The Nottingham Diabetes web site (www.nottinghamdiabetes.nhs.uk) was launched in January 2002 as an information and education resource for people with diabetes and diabetes care teams in Nottingham. It was developed jointly by the two hospital diabetes centres in Nottingham, designed by an independent web designer and funded by the pharmaceutical industry (with no influence over content or acknowledgement on the site).The site contains information about ...

Introduction: Exposure to deficient/excess glucocorticoids can lead to long-term health problems in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Historically and age-appropriate hydrocortisone formulation has not been available. Adrenal crisis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Aims: To assess prescribing practice for oral hydrocortisone and sick day advise across the UK.Methods: Paediatric endocrinologists and parents[...