Endocrine Abstracts

Phaeochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumours arising from adrenal medulla chromaffin cells. They are life threatening due to adrenaline and noradrenaline release and potential for metastatic spread. Understanding of phaeochromocytoma pathogenesis is incomplete with limited ability to predict malignant potential. Additionally, once metastatic, response to conventional therapies is disappointing.Phaeochromocytomas are a common feature of the inherited can...

Ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4, is licenced for the treatment of metastatic melanoma (dose of 3 mg/kg for four cycles intravenously). It can cause immune-related adverse reactions (IRAEs) in multiple organs, with hypophysitis the most common endocrine IRAE. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 171 ipilimumab-treated patients in one centre for endocrinopathies.Results: Nine cases (six female, mean age 64 years, range 42–76) of...

Background: Obese children are at greater risk of fracture. However, previous evidence suggests that obese children with a mutation in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) have a high age-adjusted bone mass. MC4R deficiency is associated with increased linear growth, so bone mass may be over-estimated due to patients being taller. We therefore aimed to compare body size-adjusted bone mass of lean and obese pre-pubertal children with those who have a mutation in MC4R.<p class...

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...

Introduction: The highly active human fetal adrenal gland plays a critical role in long term health. Maternal cigarette smoking alters post-natal health of the fetus and the mechanisms involved may include the fetal adrenal. However, understanding of human fetal adrenal development is limited.Aim: To examine the effects of nicotine, its metabolite cotinine, and cigarette smoke extract on H295R adrenocortical cell line steroidogenic capacity.<p class=...

Introduction: Failure to recognise critically ill patients delays escalation to intensive care units (ICU) and results in increased mortality. Objectively identifying the sickest patients on admission remains challenging for healthcare professionals. This study proposes a novel Metabolic Index as a marker of metabolic disturbance based on a patient’s sodium, potassium and bicarbonate. The Metabolic Index is proposed as a predictor of outcome in patients presenting to A&#3...

Background: People with diabetes account for 15–20% of total inpatients in Scottish hospitals. Provision of specialised diabetes care is integral in minimising length of stay and diabetes-related complications in such patients. Consequently, inpatient diabetes teams have been implemented throughout the UK as recommended by the Joint British Diabetes Societies.Methods: The amalgamation of several Glasgow hospitals into a single large teaching hospita...

A 77 year old female was referred to endocrinology with an incidental finding of hypophosphataemia (0.26 mmol/l) on routine bloods. She described a slight unsteadiness on her feet, but denied bone pain or overt muscle weakness. Past medical history included Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, a left humeral fragility fracture and the subsequent diagnosis of osteoporosis 2 years previously. At presentation the corrected calcium was slightly elevated (2.64 mmol/l), which normalised when r...

Chronic wounds contribute significantly to patient morbidity, mortality and associated healthcare costs. Glucocorticoid (GC) excess and hypoxia are both associated with impaired wound healing (WH) outcomes. The cyclooxygerase 2 (COX2) pathway is an integral component of inflammation and WH. Locally, GC availability is regulated by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) which generates cortisol from inactive cortisone. Although we recently demon...

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) is a rare condition and can be mistaken for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Distinguishing this from the later is vital to avoid un-necessary surgery as this is a benign condition. Ca:Cr excretion ratio >0.01 in a spot urine is widely used to rule out FHH. However this was calculated from 24 h urine samples on the original studies.We present a case of 46-year-old lady who presented with symptomatic hype...