Endocrine Abstracts

A greater understanding of mineralocorticoid hormone action in recent years has facilitated the elucidation of the molecular basis of several 'salt-wasting' and 'salt-retaining' disorders.In mineralocorticoid-responsive salt transporting epithelial cells of the distal nephron, colon and salivary gland, aldosterone or, depending upon the activity of 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta HSD2), cortisol, interacts with the mineralocorticoid re...

A new role for the endocrine nurse within a multidisciplinary approach to neuro-endocrine tumours.Historically patients with neuroendocrine tumours have been looked after either by the gastrointestinal team, the oncologists or the endocrinologists. Here, we demonstrate the need for a multidisciplinary approach to managing these rare tumours and a new role for the endocrine nurse.Our newly evolved, multi-disciplinary neuroendocrine tumour (NET) clinic comprises an endoc...

Patients with Cushing's syndrome emphasize the importance of cortisol in regulating body fat mass and distribution, bone mineral density and intraocular pressure. However, patients with the prevalent diseases, obesity, osteoporosis and glaucoma, invariably have normal circulating cortisol concentrations. We have focussed on the concept of 'pre-receptor' metabolism as a mechanism of modulating the action of cortisol in a tissue-specific fashion. Two isozymes of 11b-hydroxystero...

Paul Stewart, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK AbstractBorn in Harrogate in 1959, Paul received his undergraduate medical training at Edinburgh University. His house officer and senior house officer posts were undertaken at the Royal Infirmary and Western General Hospital Edinburgh, and it was here that his interest in endocrinology was kindled, largely th...

Clinical observations on patients with Cushing's syndrome highlight the importance of cortisol in regulating blood pressure and body fat mass. However, most patients with hypertension and obesity have normal circulating cortisol concentrations. We have focussed on the concept of 'pre-receptor' metabolism as a mechanism of modulating the action of cortisol in a tissue-specific fashion. Two isozymes of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11b-HSD) catalyse the interconversion of ac...

Paul Stewart, University of Birmingham, UK AbstractBorn in Harrogate in 1959, Paul received his undergraduate Medical training at Edinburgh University. His house officer and senior house officer posts were undertaken at the Royal Infirmary and Western General Hospital Edinburgh, and it was here that his interest in endocrinology was kindled, largely thanks to the clinical skills and mentorship of Christopher Edwards a...

Background: Population data has shown an increased incidence in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) following pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Worldwide studies have shown an increase in the incidence of T1DM in 2020 and 2021. Both locally and regionally in Northern Ireland we noticed a similar increase and decided to investigate further.Method: From March 2021 we tested newly diagnosed T1DM patients in Antrim Area Hospital for Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. If ant...

1% of western populations take chronic oral corticosteroids and this rises to 3% in subjects aged over 70 years old. When inhaled, topical and parenteral steroids are added to this burden, iatrogenic Cushing’s becomes a major health issue. High doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate can cause glucocorticoid effects and drug interactions may impair the metabolism of some glucocorticoids (eg fluticasone), thereby increasing their potency. Patients may develop the classical fe...

The term subclinical Cushing syndrome arose at the turn of the millennium with the description of large Italian study of adrenal incidentalomas. Of 1096 patients from 26 centres, 9.2% had ‘subclinical Cushing’s’ (JCEM, 2000; 85:637-644). Since then over 300 publications have detailed this newly discovered endocrine diagnosis, and herein lies the main issue. The definition of Cushing’s syndrome is not in doubt – a ‘constellation of symptoms and sig...

In an attempt to audit one aspect of the endocrine nurse's workload, all incoming telephone calls to our office were monitored over a two month period.Details recorded were the call source, the query raised and the time taken by the nurse to respond appropriately. We went on to analyse the information gathered to ascertain areas where improved clinical practice could alleviate the need for further calls.Calls totalled 200 in the ...