Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hyperandrogenism (HA) is required for diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and it is central to PCOS pathogenesis. Putative mechanisms of hyperandrogenism include disregulation of steroidogenesis, plasma transport and peripheral tissue regulation. Therefore, 5-alpha reductase genes (SRD5A1, SRD5A2), that regulate peripheral tissue conversion of testosterone to more potent dihydrotestosterone are good PCOS candidate genes. The single published study of SRD5...

Background: The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is higher in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients than in the general population. However, it is still unclear if MetS is qualitatively different in PCOS.Aim: To compare the distribution of MetS diagnostic criteria and of insulin-resistance in subjects with MetS (PCOS versus matched controls).Patients: Of 97 patients with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria) and 31 age- and BMI-match...

Background: The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of cancer and the mechanisms through which platelets can influence the aggressive behaviour of different types of cancer have been highlighted by a few studies.Methods: We retrospectively analysed the files of 493 patients submitted to thyroidectomy in our surgery department between 2012 and 2015. We assessed the relationship between differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and mean platelet volume (MPV...

Introduction: Although calcifications are a relatively common finding on a thyroid ultrasound, present in both benign and malign lesions, osseous metaplasia (OM) is a peculiar discovery, with only a few described cases in literature so far. Common pathophysiological explanations include abnormalities of bone morphogenetic protein family members and basic fibroblast growth factor. Most of the case reports are presenting OM in association with malign lesions, often with papillar...

Background: Despite current efforts in trying to accurately identify determinants of impaired quality of life (QoL) in acromegalic patients, studies on this topic are still conflicting and more research is needed in order to improve the well-being of these patients.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, administering two standardized questionnaires (AcroQol and EuroQol-5D) to 38 acromegalic patients and examined ...

Introduction: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with a plethora of metabolic consequences. Current literature regarding the impact of different aetiologies on metabolic complications is scarce, and results are inconsistent. More studies are needed to validate previous findings.Aim and methods: In order to compare the outcomes of pituitary and adrenal CS, we conducted an observational retrospective study, investigating the medical records of 72 p...

Backround: The increased frequency of performing imaging investigations in the period following the SARS-COV-2 pandemic has led to more frequent identification of adrenal lesions in patients who subsequently required further endocrine evaluation.Objective: To compare the functional profile of the newly diagnosed lesions vs those coming for follow up over 2023.Methods: Retrospective observational study aiming all of the patients adm...

X-linked hypophosphatemia is a rare inherited disorder, yet the most common among the inherited causes of rickets. It is caused by different mutations in the PHEX gene leading to an impaired regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF 23) and renal phosphate wasting. Patients with XLH show multiple musculoskeletal complications which usually can lead to early diagnosis in childhood. Nevertheless XLH is a lifelong disease, with multisystemic manifestations, including entheso...

Background: The rapid advancements in the field of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and better management of acute postprocedural complications have led to increased life expectancy, but at the same time to higher incidences of long-term complications. Conditioning regimens (chemotherapy, total body irradiation), immunosuppresive treatments and immune dysregulation threaten endocrine and metabolic functions, leading to late effects, including hypog...

Cushing’s syndrome, whether it is ACTH-dependent or ACTH-independent, causes many complications due to chronic exposure of tissues to a glucocorticoid excess. Some of these are arterial hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, coagulopathies, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. We present a case of Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed in a 64-year-old female that was referred to the Endocrinology Department from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department due to mul...