Endocrine Abstracts

It is well established that the use of therapeutic glucocorticoids to treat inflammatory disease has detrimental effects on bone and we have proposed that these clinical effects are determined by intracellular glucocorticoid generation (inactive cortisone/prednisone to cortisol/prednisolone) by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1). We have recently shown that glucocorticoids and cytokines are able to act cooperatively to upregulate the action of 11b-HSD1, a fi...

Background: Insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold-standard investigation in children with suspected growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Despite their benefits, ITTs are resource intensive, potentially dangerous and can result in unnecessary treatment due to false positive results in children that are at low risk for GHD.Methods: Retrospective analysis of all paediatric patients undergoing an ITT in two tertiary hospitals in the UK (centre A between 2017-...

Introduction: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare disease, characterized by an unregulated insulin release, leading to hypoglycaemia. It is the most frequent cause of persistent and severe hypoglycaemia during the neonatal period and early childhood. Mutations in KATP < genes (ABCC8 and KCNJ11), together account for up to 70% of CHI. CHI can either be transient or persistent. Transient CHI tends to resolve spontaneously and is n...

Background: The Birmingham Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) service has a full time dedicated NET Dietitian for outpatient and inpatient care since August 2020. An anonymised survey of patient experience was performed to identify ways in which we can improve the service for patients. 87 potential patients were identified. 8 had passed away. 79 questionnaires were sent out. 38 were returned via a self-addressed envelope.Results: • 53% of patients were fir...

The number of people diagnosed and living with cancer in the UK continues to rise and this also places increasing demands on specialist cancer care services (NHS England 2015). Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) incidence and prevalence increases alongside this demand (PHE 2016). NETs still remain a rare cancer with specialist needs and the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team are ideally placed to support these patients. Oncology clinics are becoming increasingly pressured and the...

Introduction: The Flash glucose monitoring system (FGS) has recently received a licence for children and young people aged 4–17 years with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the United Kingdom. Although many families attending a single UK diabetes centre reporting utilising FGS even prior to its licence we aimed to assess the patient experience.Methods: Patients and families were invited to undertake a 14 day FGS trial following group introductory sessions. 8...

Background: Syncope is common in healthy adolescents and young adults. It can happen due to hypotension secondary to orthostasis. Primary adrenal insufficiency is infrequently reported in patients presenting with syncope and dizziness caused by loss of vasopressor effect of catecholamines and volume depletion.Clinical Case: A 17-year-old boy with a past medical history of learning disability and asthma presented to our health facility with an episode of ...

The milk – alkali syndrome was well known in the pre-proton pump inhibitor era when remedies for peptic ulcer included a large amount of calcium and sodium bicarbonate resulting in hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis and often acute kidney injury. In a study done from 1998 to 2003, milk alkali syndrome was the cause of hypercalcaemia in 8.8 percent of the cases which is a significant percentage, so awareness about it is important.<p class="abste...

Severe Hypercalcaemia can present as a life threatening emergency requiring urgent measures to lower the calcium. Usually, this is associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism. It can result in obtundation, oliguria, anuria, collapse or arrhythmias. It is important to act fast and decisively to prevent fatal complications.We describe a 39 year old gentleman who was a tennis coach, who was brought after he collapsed in his bathroom. ...

The milk – alkali syndrome was well known in the pre-proton pump inhibitor era when remedies for peptic ulcer included a large amount of calcium and sodium bicarbonate resulting in hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis and often acute kidney injury. In a study done from 1998 to 2003, milk alkali syndrome was the cause of hypercalcaemia in 8.8 percent of the cases which is a significant percentage, so awareness about it is important.<p class="abste...