Endocrine Abstracts

A 29 year old gentleman was referred for investigation of subfertility and hypogonadism. He gave a history of normal erections and libido but had never shaved in his life. Though he denied anosmia, his maternal uncle had a poor sense of smell and his great uncle had needed to adopt children. He was markedly undermasculinised with micropenis and an empty scrotal sac. Neurological assessment showed subtle features of bimanual synkinesis (mirror movements), suggesting X-linked Ka...

Introduction and aims: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at significantly increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; prevalence 9–35%) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM; prevalence 2–10%), hence screening for these complications is recommended. The American Androgen Excess Society (AAES) recommends a biannual oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in all women with PCOS but this is costly and inconvenient. Alternative strategies which minimise th...

Background: Insulin resistance is a hallmark of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Insulin sensitisers, most notably metformin, are thus used to treat the condition, but may be accompanied by gastrointestinal side-effects. The novel isomeric insulin sensitising agents D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and Myo-inositol (MI) improve insulin resistance by acting at the peripheral and ovarian level, respectively, whilst largely being devoid of adverse effects.<p class="...

Background: Insulin resistance is a hallmark of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Insulin sensitisers, most notably metformin, are thus used to treat the condition, but may be accompanied by gastrointestinal side-effects. The novel isomeric insulin sensitising agents D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and Myo-inositol (MI) improve insulin resistance by acting at the peripheral and ovarian level, respectively, whilst largely being devoid of adverse effects.<p class="...

Aim: To assess whether using urine catecholamines as a second line investigation has affected clinical decision making in patients with suspected pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.The need for the audit: New society of endocrine guidelines in June 14, have recommended using urine metanephrines as the initial screening test for PPGL. Current practise at University Hospital Wales is to offer urine catecholamines as the second line test to patients with a ...

Background: Cranial diabetes insipidus (CDI) is characterised by arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency. Oxytocin (OT) is structurally related to AVP and is synthesised in the same hypothalamic nuclei, but a clinical syndrome of OT deficiency is not currently recognised. Psychological research has demonstrated that OT influences social and emotional behaviours, particularly empathic behaviour.Aim: We hypothesised that patients with acquired CDI and anteri...

Introduction: Microparticles (MP) are circulating submicron particles released from cell membranes. They have an important role in intercellular endocrine signalling and may be increased in numerous conditions including cardiovascular disease. However, the influences of gender on MP characteristics are not fully understood.Aim: To compare MP characteristics (size, concentration, cellular origin and inflammatory profile) in healthy males and females acros...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by anovulation and insulin resistance but the effects on reproductive outcomes are unclear.Objectives: To determine the impact of PCOS upon fertility, pregnancy complications and delivery method.Methods: Data were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients with a diagnosis of PCOS (2000–2012) were matched to controls (1:2) by age (±1 year)...

Background: Testosterone levels are commonly lowered in men with diabetes but it is unclear whether these impact upon symptoms of androgen deficiency and diabetes-related quality of life.Objective: To investigate the relationship between testosterone levels, symptoms of androgen deficiency, erectile function and diabetes-related quality of life in men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Design: Cross-sectional study of 115 men with type 2 diabetes, 93 men w...

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are a common radiological finding (estimated prevalence 4%). Guidelines from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) recommend radiological evaluation at 3–6 months then annually for 1–2 years, and hormonal evaluation by measurement of plasma aldosterone/renin (ARR) activity, 24 h catecholamines/metanephrines (CATS), and 1 mg overnight dexamethasone ...