Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In the UK, most adult patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) continue with growth hormone (GH) treatment indefinitely, even when they do not report any benefits from treatment. To date, the optimal duration of GH treatment in adults has not been established. We conducted a survey of UK endocrine clinicians between 01/06/2022 and 31/08/2022 to understand current practices regarding GH treatment discontinuation in adults with GHD.<p clas...

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) predisposes patients to infections, which can precipitate life-threatening adrenal crises. PAI patients are thought to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19; however, little is known about its true impact on this group.Aim: To assess morbidity and health promotion attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst a large cohort of PAI patients.Methods: In May 2020 COVID-19 information, ...

Context: Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with short stature, delayed puberty, primary ovarian insufficiency, infertility, and other features. The majority of girls with TS require pubertal induction and life-long oestrogen replacement therapy. There is paucity of data in adult TS on the efficacy of pubertal induction, such as breast satisfaction. Patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) assess the quality of care and treatment from the patient’s perspective. We have em...

Due to decreasing ovarian reserve from young age, counselling is vital as chances to conceive spontaneously decrease rapidly and early consideration of fertility options essential. Maternal/fetal-risks are high and patients/specialists face important considerations.Aim: Service-evaluation of adequacy/appropriateness/sufficiency of information about fertility provided to TS patients.Methods: TS women attending two TS-dedicated-centr...

Background: Endocrinology is well-established as an outpatient specialty. However, virtually no data exist on the volume, nature, management and disposal of inpatient referrals to inform the design and delivery of a quality-assured service.Methods: We undertook an audit of all activity of the Inpatient Endocrine Service at University Hospitals Birmingham NHSFT (IES@UHB) between January 2010 and December 2015. Referrals received electronically via the Pat...

Introduction: Bilateral adrenalectomy (BADx) is a treatment option in ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome refractory to other therapeutic modalities or can be an emergency measure in cases with severe manifestations of hypercortisolaemia.Aim: To review the outcomes of our patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s offered BADx.Methods: Records of patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s managed by BADx and seen in our Depart...

Background: Transition is an important stage in the care of a young person with a long term endocrine condition.Objective: To explore current services for young people (YP) with endocrine conditions from the perspective of paediatric and adult endocrinologists, and YP and their parents using their services.Methods: There were two components: i) service questionnaire for completion by paediatric and adult endocrinologists. ii) &#145...

Introduction: Factors determining remission and relapse in children with thyrotoxicosis include ethnicity, age and thyroid hormone levels at diagnosis. We investigated if similar factors influence remission and relapse in a contemporary cohort of children with autoimmune thyrotoxicosis treated by dose titration of carbimazole.Methods: Forty-seven children (39 females) with thyrotoxicosis, treated with carbimazole, were followed up for ≥2 years. Ini...

Background: A key element of the transition process is encouraging young people (YP) to become more independent in their healthcare. However it is not known what skills YP feel they need before being ready for transfer to adult services.Method: A simple questionnaire was designed for YP to rate out of 5 A. their current status in terms of 5 aspects of independence in healthcare (5 “yes, I do it all of the time” to 1 “no, my family does it ...

Background: Obese young people are likely to suffer significant morbidity in adult life. Successful intervention during adolescence may have far-reaching benefits. Evidence is emerging that patient-responsive clinical services may deliver improved outcomes.Aims: To assess the perceptions of obese young people about weight and weight-management services.Method: Annonymised, postal questionnaire survey of 116 obese young people (9&#1...