Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: We describe the case of a patient referred to Cardiology with an abnormal ECG & hypertension. Investigation led to the diagnosis of catecholamine induced cardiomyopathy caused by a pheochromocytoma. The case is unique as the cardiomyopathy was reversed with alpha and beta blockade prior to surgery.Case: A 56 year old female with 20 pack year smoking history, no regular medications and evidence of hypertension underwent CT AP for abdomin...

Introduction: Primary skeletal muscle lymphomas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of extra-nodal lymphomas.1 Hypercalcaemia is a common reason for admission to hospital. There are four main mechanisms by which neoplasms can cause hypercalcaemia; secretion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide, osteolytic metastases, (rarely) ectopic PTH secretion, and expression of 1 alpha hydroxylase, causing excess activated vitamin D and gastrointestinal absorption...

Background: Advances in next-generation sequencing facilitate the simultaneous evaluation of large numbers of cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) in patients with cancer irrespective of family history or tumour phenotype. Several studies have reported the frequent occurrence of germline mutations in CPGs in patients with discordant cancer types raising the possibility of novel gene-cancer associations. The current study aimed to evaluate the significance of germline mutations i...

Background: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent, causal, genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Coronary artery calcium (CAC), measured by computerised tomography (CT) scans, is a known marker for atherosclerosis. CT Agatston scores, also known as CAC scores, are thought to be better predictors of CVD than traditional risk factors. There is conflicting data regarding the relationship between Lp(a) levels and CAC. A preliminary study has suggested a positive...

Background: GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists are being developed as treatments for obesity due to their combined effect of reducing food intake while increase energy expenditure. Though the effect of the dual agonist on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is well studied, little is known about the effects on protein metabolism. This study aimed to examine the acute and chronic effects of the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist on amino acid metabolism.Methods: The lon...

A 53 year old male with a history of polysubstance abuse was admitted to A&E, having been found unconscious in the community with a blood glucose level of 1.2 mmol/l. Despite intramuscular glucagon and intravenous 20% dextrose administration, his blood glucose was confirmed to be 2.6 mmol/l on arrival in A&E. Neuroglycopaenia was refractory to multiple dextrose boluses and only stabilised following a continuous 20% 125 ml/hr dextrose infusion. Following admission to th...

Background and aims: Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a well-recognised complication and a risk factor for lower limb loss. Its effective treatment can reduce the risk of minor and major amputations. Our aim was to compare the yield in cultures from the proximal and distal segments of bone excised intraoperatively as part of the management of DFO and the impact on antibiotic choice and duration.Materials and methods: Patients attending the diabetic f...

Developmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds may adversely affect female reproductive physiology. The present study investigated the effect of Pirimiphos-methyl (PM), an organophosphate pesticide, widely used to protect crops and grains against pests, on puberty onset in female rats. Female weanling rats were orally treated with 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of PM for ten consecutive days from postnatal day 22 to 31. Following vagina opening and attainment of estrus and di...

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in every 23 UK pregnancies. GDM identifies the mother as high-risk for development of type 2 diabetes. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published updated guidance in February 2015 recommending routine follow-up of women with GDM.Aims: This cohort study compared follow-up rates of women with GDM before and after the updated guidance. We also investigated for an association ...

Background: Thyroid disease in pregnancy can have a profound impact on both mother and fetus. Guidelines on diagnosis and management are lacking in the UK and there is significant variation between European and US guidelines. This survey aimed to gather data on current management by endocrinologists in Scotland.Methods: An online survey was created using Google Forms and emailed to endocrinology trainees and consultants in Scotland (April 2019). The surv...