Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0005p248 | Steroids | BES2003

A non-invasive test of mild glucocorticoid resistance

Jerjes W , Wood P , Taylor N

For investigation of mild glucocorticoid resistance, dexamethasone may be inappropriate because, unlike cortisol, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and suitably low doses are difficult to titrate. Prednisolone has been proposed as an alternative but assay of cortisol as an endpoint is subject to cross-reaction with prednisolone in most ligand assays. Using capillary gas chromatography, we can distinguish urinary cortisol and prednisolone metabolites. We have compared this app...

ea0004p19 | Clinical case reports | SFE2002

Lithium and Parathyroid Dysfuction

Patel D , Johnston C , Farid N

Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism was first described in 1973 by Garfinkel et. al.The two cases aim to illustrate Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism which was previously thought to be a rare occurrence and outline characteristic features of this disorder.Case 1.A 51 year old male presented with polydipsia and polyuria. He was known to suffer from bipolar affective disorder with lithium treatment was admitt...

ea0004p77 | Reproduction | SFE2002

Metformin does not reduce the elevated C-reactive protein observed in obese women with PCOS

Fleming R , Hopkinson Z , Sattar N

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammatory processes which predicts vascular disease, and is raised in the circulation of women with PCOS. Metformin can be used to reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS, leading to improved ovarian function and circulating lipid profiles. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of protracted metformin treatment on circulating CRP in women with PCOS.Methods: CRP was assessed in women with PCOS (n...

ea0004p95 | Thyroid | SFE2002

HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IVIG) TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH POST-PARTUM RELAPSED THYROID ASSOCIATED OPHTHALMOPATHY (TAO)

Balazs C , Kiss E , Farid N

Background:TAO is a progressive autoimmune potentially sight-threating disease. Various medical interventions have been reported which have potencially serious side effects.The high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is known to have anti-inflammatory potential and it was used in pilot studies for patients with TAO. The aim of study : was to investigate the effect of IVIG on post-partum relapsed TAO and to test the some immunological parameters during and after therapy. Pa...

ea0004dp24 | Diabetes, metabolism and cardiovascular | SFE2002

Lithium and Parathyroid Dysfuction

Patel D , Johnston C , Farid N

Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism was first described in 1973 by Garfinkel et. al.The two cases aim to illustrate Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism which was previously thought to be a rare occurrence and outline characteristic features of this disorder.Case 1.A 51 year old male presented with polydipsia and polyuria. He was known to suffer from bipolar affective disorder with lithium treatment was admitt...

ea0003p88 | Diabetes & Metabolism | BES2002

Insulin secretion and metabolic control in Caribbean type 2 diabetic patients commonly treated with sulphonylurea drugs

Ezenwaka C , Offiah N , Kalloo R

OBJECTIVE: There are reports suggesting that currently available drugs used in the management of Type 2 diabetes do not sustain metabolic control on long term basis. We therefore assessed metabolic control and insulin resistance indices in Type 2 diabetic patients commonly treated with sulphonylurea drugs at primary care setting.METHOD: One hundred and seventy-nine (117 females, 62 males) randomly selected Type 2 diabetic patients attending primary care...

ea0003p92 | Diabetes & Metabolism | BES2002

Acanthosis nigricans: A valid clinical marker of insulin resistance in obesity

Packianathan I , Stevenson O , Finer N

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) in a cohort of obese subjects and to assess the validity of AN as an indicator of insulin resistanceMethods: 88 healthy obese subjects were assessed clinically for severity of AN scored according to Burke's Scale1. Neck and axilla severity scores (NASS) were discriminative, easy to access in a clinical setting and hence used in the analysis. Insulin resistance was assessed by Homeostasi...

ea0003p201 | Neuroendocrinology | BES2002

Outcome of treatment for Cushing's disease in Birmingham; the experience of a single surgeon

Dale J , McGregor E , Johnson A , Gittoes N

Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is the most common first-line treatment for Cushing's disease (CD). We have examined the outcome of this intervention to identify pre-operative clinical factors that predict good surgical outcome and to determine the risk of adverse events.We performed a case-notes review of 30 consecutive patients, 20 (67%) female, treated by a single surgeon over a 14-year period. The mean (SE) age was 34.2 (2.1) years and median (range) ...

ea0003p205 | Neuroendocrinology | BES2002

Outcomes in the management of pituitary apoplexy; a conservative approach may be prudent

McGregor E , Ayuk J , Gittoes N

Due to the infrequency of pituitary apoplexy, there are no robust evidence-based guidelines for optimum care of these patients. The key controversy surrounds the role of acute neurosurgical intervention. Over recent years we have adopted a relatively conservative approach and the aim of this study was to determine whether this 'non-intervention' affected long-term outcome in a recent cohort of patients. 19 patients (8 female) presented between 1994-2001. Mean age at diagnosis ...

ea0003p214 | Reproduction | BES2002

Awareness of Libyan women of the menopause and their attitudes to hormone replacement therapy

Beshyah S , Bay N , Sherif I

BACKGROUND: There are wide ethnic differences in women's attitude to the menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We have surveyed the awareness and attitudes of Libyan women to the menopause and HRT. METHODS: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire on the knowledge and attitudes towards menopause and HRT was used. 353 women were studied (median age 31(20-60) years; 188 married, 157 single and 8 divorced/widowed). Majority had secondary (38%) or university (51%) e...