Endocrine Abstracts

IntroductionThe association between Type 2 diabetes and decreased quality of life (QoL) scores has been well documented. Insulin resistance (IR) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. In this study we assess the impact of increasing IR on QoL scores in patients yet to develop or with previously unknown diabetes diagnosed at screening review, and consider the effect of IHD as a potential confounder of these...

The role of oestrogens and androgens on bone metabolism has been studied extensively. However, less is known about the effects of progestins. The progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed in human osteoblasts. Progestins have been found to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and growth factor expression (e.g. IGFBP-5) and to increase bone formation. In postmenopausal women progestins combined with oestrogen increased bone density to a greater extent than oestroge...

Generalised and periarticular osteoporosis are common features of inflammatory arthritides. These effects appear due to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1) is an intracellular enzyme that generates active cortisol from inactive cortisone and is an important determinant of the effects of glucocorticoids on osteoblasts. In vitro, osteoblastic 11b-HSD1 expression is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. We thus ...

A 62 year old woman presented in May 2001 with a one year history of palpitations. A 24 hour tape showed a short run of supra ventricular tachycardia only.In December 2001 she was admitted with palpitations, presyncope and a labile blood pressure. Systolic pressures of 150-186mmHg and diastolic pressures of 95-112mmHg were recorded. 24 hour urine collection for catecholamines revealed normal adrenaline levels but elevated noradrenaline at 5265 nanomols p...

A 62 year old woman presented in May 2001 with a one year history of palpitations. A 24 hour tape showed a short run of supra ventricular tachycardia only.In December 2001 she was admitted with palpitations, presyncope and a labile blood pressure. Systolic pressures of 150-186mmHg and diastolic pressures of 95-112mmHg were recorded. 24 hour urine collection for catecholamines revealed normal adrenaline levels but elevated noradrenaline at 5265 nanomols p...

Fibroblasts are important regulators of local inflammatory responses. These responses are further regulated by tissue glucocorticoid levels. Other stromal lineage cells, adipocytes and osteoblasts, express 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11b-HSDs) which interconvert inactive cortisone and active cortisol. These enzymes are important regulators of local glucocorticoid levels and their expression is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines. We therefore examined expression o...

Introduction: Early-onset androgen excess commonly presents in pre-pubertal girls as premature adrenarche (PA). Girls with PA have clinical signs of androgen excess, such as pubic/axillary hair, body odour, greasy hair, and moderately elevated adrenal androgens before their 8th birthday. There is conflicting evidence if girls with PA are at higher risk to have or develop metabolic dysfunction, or progress to developing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the mos...

Objectives: Fracture risk is increased in individuals with diabetes mellitus, but how this is related to bone mineral density (BMD), adiposity, inflammation, disease duration and diabetic complications is less well understood. We aimed to investigate associations between type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes and incident fracture in a large population study.Methods: UK Biobank is a population study incorporating indiv...

Introduction: Diabetes-related Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a commonly-encountered acute endocrine emergency requiring prompt recognition and treatment. DKA is triggered by risk factors that are often preventable. There are limited studies evaluating the precipitating causes of DKA and depicting their trends over the years. The latter is important in the prevention of DKA by ensuring appropriate education and interventions.Aim: To study the trends of aetiologie...

Background: Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common and potentially life threatening complication in people with diabetes. Despite national and international guidelines, interhospital guideline variation and mismanagement during admission are important contributory factors to increased DKA duration and length of stay.Aim: To establish a common DKA registry to identify gaps in management, assess outcomes and share best practises across centres.</p...