Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Phaeochromocytomas commonly present with episodes of sweating, palpitations, and hypertension. Urinary catecholamines measurement is the most common screening test for suspected phaeochromocytoma in the UK. We report a series of three cases in which the reason for hypertension and raised catecholamines was not a phaeochromocytoma and treating the underlying condition corrected the clinical and biochemical abnormality.Cases: Three patients w...

Introduction: The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is ~3.5/100 000 per yearThe incidence is on the rise due to increase in ‘routine biochemical testing’Has been thought to be a ‘relatively harmless’ disorder.Some patients tend to undergo surgery, while others are conservatively treated and most followed up for a short period before discharge from follow up.Aims:<l...

Introduction: • The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in Scotland is approximately 3.5/100 000 per year.• The incidence is probably on the rise due to increase in ‘routine biochemical testing’• Some patients tend to undergo surgery, while others are conservatively treated and most followed up for a short period before discharge from follow up.Aims: • Determine if ri...

Background: Recent studies show that Infliximab (IFX), an antibody against tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), may improve growth in children with Crohn’s disease (CD). These studies have not adequately addressed the concomitant factors such as medication, nutrition and puberty that may also improve growth.Methods: Retrospective study of 22 children (13 M) with CD, median age at start of IFX 13.2 years (7.4, 16.1) with auxology at 6 months be...

Introduction: Adiposity has been well known to influence blood pressure. Adipokines are peptides secreted from the adipose tissue. TNF-alpha and IL-6 are pro-inflammatory adipokines while adiponectin and leptin have been known to be influencing vascular function. The influence of adipokines on blood pressure is not yet known. Our hypothesis was that all adipokines positively influenced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.Patients and methods: One ...

Background: Recent studies show that infliximab (IFX), an antibody against tumour necrosis factorα (TNFα), may improve growth in children with Crohn’s disease (CD). These studies have not adequately addressed the concomitant factors such as medication, nutrition and puberty that may also improve growth.Methods: Retrospective study of 22 children (13M) with CD, median age at start of IFX 13.2 years (7.4, 16.1) with auxology at 6 months befo...

Introduction: Short synacthen tests (SST) are widely performed as a screening test in patients with suspected hypoadrenalism. However, the timing of sampling and interpretation of cortisol levels remain a matter of controversy. Though known to be inferior to 30 min cortisol levels, some centres continue to analyse 60 min values (along with 30 min levels) to avoid resource-intensive tests like insulin stress tests and glucagon stimulation tests.Objective:...

Introduction. Adiponectin is a novel circulating adipocyte derived protein, whose plasma concentrations paradoxically decrease with increasing fat mass. Adiponectin has been shown to improve both glucose and lipid metabolism, and circulating concentrations are inversely correlated with insulin resistance. The factors regulating adiponectin expression and secretion are poorly understood. No study has previously examined the acute post-prandial regulation of adiponectin s...

INTRODUCTION: Although thyrotoxicosis involving the musculoskeletal system is well described, classically presenting with proximal myopathy, arthralgia and osteopenia, an acute synovio-arthritis is extremely rare. There are only two published case reports, which have features distinct from Rheumatoid, Sjogren's and Psoriatic arthropathy.CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old lady presented with a 2-month history of symptoms and signs consistent with thyrotoxicosis....

Background: numerous studies using a variety of quality of life (QOL) measures have shown multiple impairments in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) compared to control subjects. There have been few studies however of QOL in a treated GHD population compared with healthy controls.Method: 120 adults with treated GHD ( >1 year) were given the following QOL questionnaires at annual review: SF36, Nottingham Health Profile, Disease Impact, Life F...