Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is caused by a group of heterogenous conditions that result in deficient secretion of parathyroid hormone. Due to this heterogenous nature, information on HP prevalence is highly variable and studies can be difficult to compare. This study aims to estimate the true prevalence of HP within the EU via comparison of available literature and analyses of sub-populations.Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically search...

Background and objectives: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common in obese individuals. We aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency within a cohort of severely obese individuals, exploring potential underlying associations.Methods: In a retrospective analysis of 703 patients sequentially presenting for bariatric surgery assessment, 663 had complete demographic, anthropometric, and haematological measures (vitamin D, folate, ...

Background: Treatment of HIV patients with antiretroviral therapies may confer an increased cardiovascular risk, possibly mediated through metabolic perturbations induced by these therapies. We sought to determine whether large arterial stiffening, an early marker and predictor of cardiovascular disease, occurs in HIV recipients of HAART, and if so the plausible mechanisms involved.Methods: In this case-control analysis, 56 HIV subjects (mean age 46 &#17...

Introduction: Hyponatraemia presents a diagnostic challenge in acute medicine. Suggestive symptoms may be present or it can be an incidental finding. Whether it is acute or chronic, associated with excessive, normal or reduced intravascular volume all help determine cause and correct management.Case report: A six-year-old boy with a good neurological outcome from extreme hyponatraemia (initial sodium 96 mmol/l) caused by autoimmune hypoadrenalism. He pre...

Introduction: Microalbuminuria is the first of sign of incipient nephropathy and other micro vascular complications in the diabetic population. Up to 30% of the paediatric diabetic population are at risk of developing microalbuminuria by the age of 20. NICE 2006 recommends microalbuminuria screening from 12 years of age in children with type 1 diabetes however there is no guidance on specimen collection, test methodology or treatment regime. The definition of microalbuminuria ...

We present the case of a 62 year old gentleman who was diagnosed with Acromegaly in 1998.He commenced testosterone replacement therapy in the form of Sustanon every three weeks in October 2000 following a testosterone level of 6.6 nmol/l.PSA levels during treatment with Sustanon were: 01/03/01–5.1μg/l.06/04/01–4.9 μg/l at which point he was referred for a urological opinion.<p class="a...

Background: A variety of preparations for testosterone replacement therapy are currently available. Testogel, a transdermal gel, is widely used and considered one of the most convenient. However, a wide variation in the increment of serum testosterone two hours after its application has been reported.Aim: To investigate whether skin thickness affects the absorption of testogel.Subjects and methods: Fourteen patients (mean age 55.4 ...

A 71-year-old man with carcinoma of prostate and bony metastasis, presented with acute bradyarrhythmia, severe hypocalcaemia and acute renal failure 72 h after intravenous infusion of zoledronate. Before therapy, serum calcium was 2.14 mmol/l (normal, 2.10–2.55 mmol/l), serum phosphate 1.4 mmol/l (normal, 0.8–1.5 mmol/l), serum creatinine 95 umol/l and eGFR 74 ml/min. 25OH vitamin D was not measured. Three days later he presented with a syncopal episode. Initial bloo...

We describe two cases of sarcoidosis associated hypercalcaemia, renal failure and anaemia mimicking lymphoma. The diagnosis was made by lymph node biopsy. Within weeks of starting oral steroids, symptoms resolved and biochemical abnormalities almost normalized.Case 1: A 66-year-old lady, presented with generalized weakness, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Hb 96 g/l, MCV 91, urea 16.6 mmol/l, creatinine 227 umol/l, eGFR 15 ml/min, serum calcium 3.4 mmol...

Background: Testosterone replacement therapy is available in a variety of preparations. Nebido, a long acting testosterone undecanoate injection offered at 3 monthly intervals, has recently become available thus reducing the need for frequent injections.Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Nebido.Patients and methods: Eighteen patients aged between 22–77 years (median 44.5 years) with primary or secondary hypogonadis...