Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, affecting 5 – 10% of women of reproductive age, and is the major cause of anovulatory infertility. The mechanisms of reproductive dysfunction in PCOS remain to be clarified. Members of the TGF-β and IGF signalling pathway have been suggested to be involved in aberrant follicle development in women with PCOS. This talk will focus on previous and ongoing research that we carried out in Denmark and the Un...

Background: General population screening for type 1 diabetes (T1D) using islet autoantibodies (IAb) is gaining international momentum, since screening reduces diabetic ketoacidosis, hospitalisation and identifies individuals eligible for future preventative treatments. Qualitative studies have only been undertaken in at-risk individuals (1). We therefore aimed to explore parents’ experiences of their child taking part in a general population T1D screening...

Spontaneous resolution of primary hyperparathyroidism following infarction for parathyroid adenomas is rare with infarction on treatment with cinacalcet being even rarer. A 53 year old female who presented to primary care with malaise was found to have biochemical evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism with adjusted calcium 3.31 mmol/l and parathyroid hormone 28.8 pmol/l. Previous medical history was unremarkable. Following discussion with endocrinology, treatment with cinaca...

Introduction: The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented. Specific recommendations for the management of neuroendocrine disorders in the pandemic were rapidly released by Endocrine experts. To comply with COVID rules, NET patients, due to attend the endocrine unit in March 2020 for Somatostatin analogue therapy, were rapidly identified. 25 vulnerable patients had urgent domiciliary administration arranged. Other patients were taught to self-inject. Postal surveys wer...

Introduction: NETs are regarded as rare endocrine malignancies, which often present late. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this and patient care. The impact will have been felt in health service delivery and patient experiences. To understand NET patient perspectives and optimise care, we conducted a survey to review patient perception of: telemedicine-based care, delays to imaging, treatment, and the impact of COVID-19.Method: 70 NET patients tre...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial, complex endocrine disorder affecting a significant proportion of the global population. Hyperandrogenism is a key feature of PCOS patients. Aberrant secretion and/or action of gonadotropins have been implicated in PCOS, but, to date, we have only limited knowledge of how these factors may interact in the aetiology of PCOS. We hypothesised that excess androgens may cause aberrant gonadotropin activity and therefore sought to...

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the delivery of health services. Here we review the patient perspective, on rapid changes in treatment delivery of testosterone preparations instituted in the first wave of the pandemic.Methods: 49 hypogonadal male patients were identified as attenders to the Endocrine unit for Nebido™ injection. They were temporarily switched to testosterone gel to rapidly comply with COVID rules. 8 weeks...

Introduction: In the UK, GH therapy is licensed for use in GH deficiency, Turner Syndrome, Small for Gestational Age (SGA), Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS), SHOX deletion and Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). Worldwide there are a number of additional indications. The aim was to review the use of GH prescriptions in relation to indications and to evaluate if there were similarities or differences between the licensed and unlicensed groups.Methods: All children st...

Objectives: TSH receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies (TRAb) which mimic the actions of TSH are responsible for hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease (GD) which is often associated with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). K1-70 is a TSHR specific human monoclonal autoantibody which binds to the TSHR with high affinity and prevents stimulation of the TSHR by TSH and TRAb. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, pharmocodynamic and immunogenic effects of K1-70 in patients with GD were asse...

Background: Fractures are reported in 1/3 of children who have been abused. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) recommends that assessment of fractures where there is suspicion of physical abuse should include bone biochemistry: calcium (Ca), phosphate (Ph), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Vitamin D (VitD).Objectives: To describe the pattern of bone biochemistry in children with fractures when non-accidenta...