Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition affecting women and is associated with hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenism. Obesity is present in at least 30% of cases and plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of PCOS as well as affecting the severity of the clinical and endocrine features. Significant improvements in symptoms of androgen excess and ovulatory function are seen with even a modest weight loss of 5% in women with PCOS. M...

Introduction: 3βHSD catalyses the formation of Δ4-3-ketosteroids including progesterone and androgens. Levonorgestrel (LNG) is an androgenic progestogen used in the LNG intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS). 17βHSD-5 is involved not only in androgen and oestrogen metabolism, but also has 3β-reductase activity.Objective: To determine expression patterns of 3βHSD-1 and -2, and 17βHSD-5 in human endometrium across the normal menstrual...

Recent studies report that nandrolone, a widely used anabolic steroid by athletes to enhance their performance, is produced endogenously in the humans. However, the detection of nandrolone has mainly been indicated by the measurement of its urinary metabolites (19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanone). The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific ELISA for nandrolone to investigate whether the parent steroid can be detected in the urine of healthy volunteer...

PCOS is a chronic medical condition consisting of PCO on ultrasound in conjunction with menstrual cycle disturbance, insulin resistance, obesity and/or hyperandrogenism manifest as acne, hirsutism and androgenic alopecia. These symptoms can be expected to have a significant impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with PCOS with that of women in the general population.HRQoL is generally measured by ...

Background: It is well established that patients with acromegaly have compromised quality of life both during active disease, as well as whilst on remission. (1). In the recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on the importance of considering health-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes in the care of patients with acromegaly. The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust introduced and implemented the use of a holistic needs assessm...

A 58 year-old Polish lady was admitted to hospital after having had two tonic-clonic seizures. She reported a previous history of seizures but had been seizure-free for 10 years. In addition, she reported a 20 year history of hand spasms and perioral paraesthesia. As part of the investigation for seizures while she was living in Poland 10 years ago, CT head had shown bilateral basal ganglia calcification and on this basis she had been diagnosed with Fahr...

Background: It is well established that patients with acromegaly have compromised quality of life both during active disease, as well as whilst on remission. (1). In the recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on the importance of considering health-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes in the care of patients with acromegaly. The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust introduced and implemented the use of a holistic needs assessm...

A 58 year-old Polish lady was admitted to hospital after having had two tonic-clonic seizures. She reported a previous history of seizures but had been seizure-free for 10 years. In addition, she reported a 20 year history of hand spasms and perioral paraesthesia. As part of the investigation for seizures while she was living in Poland 10 years ago, CT head had shown bilateral basal ganglia calcification and on this basis she had been diagnosed with Fahr...

Background: Cardiovascular related deaths account for over 40% of the excess mortality in Turner Syndrome (TS). Hypertension, a modifiable risk factor for both aortic dilatation and dissection, is more commonly encountered in TS during childhood and adolescence. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the prevalence of hypertension in paediatric patients with TS and in relation to the methodologies of blood pressure evaluation.<p class="ab...

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). &#1...