Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The use of high dose Ergot derived dopamine agonists in patients with Parkinson’s disease has been associated with an increased risk of cardiac valvular fibrosis. The UK Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) currently advises baseline Echocardiogram within 3–6 months and follow up Echocardiogram at 6–12 monthly intervals in all patients taking ergot derived dopamine agonists. However, the risk of cardiac valvulopathy with lower doses...

Introduction: Glargine is an analogue insulin with a flat pharmacokinetic profile and duration of action of 24 h providing stable ‘background’ insulin on which fast acting insulin can be added during meal times. Clinical trials have indicated that this leads to more satisfactory and stable glycaemic control with reduced frequency of hypoglycaemia. We carried out a prospective audit to see if these reported benefits are confirmed in routine clinical practice.<p cl...

We report an unusual case of struma ovarii diagnosed after thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease and papillary thyroid cancer.A 46-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of weight loss, palpitations and irregular periods. Physical examination revealed tachycardia, fine tremor and a diffuse goitre. TSH <0.1 (0.5–4.2 mU/l), FreeT4 26 (10.8–19.3 pmol/l) confirmed thyrotoxicosis.Thyroid ultrasound scan showed a ...

PCOS affects ~10% of women of reproductive age and is characterised by hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction. About 60% of women with PCOS are overweight, with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.This Local Ethics Committee approved study aimed to determine the optimum composition of a weight reducing diet in management of women with PCOS. It compared the effect of a low carbohydrate with that of a low glycaemic index (GI) diet ...

Objective: PCOS affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. An audit of our PCOS clinic showed that 75% of our patients were overweight or obese. Following this a Nurse led PCOS weight management clinic was developed. The aim of this audit was to determine whether the Nurse led clinic was effective in helping overweight women with PCOS lose weight.Methods: Data was collected on women attending the clinic at each monthly appointment since Apri...

Objective: PCOS affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. We have audited the management of women attending the multidisciplinary PCOS clinic at the Royal Berkshire Hospital which was set up in September 2002.Methods: Data on women attending the PCOS clinic at the Royal Berkshire Hospital between September 2002 and September 2004 were analysed. Points investigated were: baseline characteristics, adequacy of investigations and efficacy of tr...

Objectives: To evaluate the precipitants of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to audit its management in a busy District General Hospital following the introduction of local guidelines.Methods: Data on all patients admitted with DKA between January 2003 and March 2004 were collected and analysed and clinical management was audited against the standards set in the guidelines.Results: Seventy eight episodes were recorded in 70 patients...

Objectives: To evaluate the precipitants of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to audit its management in a busy District General Hospital following the introduction of local guidelines.Methods: Data on all patients admitted with DKA between January 2003 and March 2004 were collected and analysed and clinical management was audited against the standards set in the guidelines.Results: Seventy eight episodes were recorded in 70 patients...

Objective: Despite being the most common endocrine malignancy, the management of thyroid cancer in the UK remains sub-optimal, with reduced survival rates compared with Western Europe. The British Thyroid association published national guidelines in March 2002 to help standardize and improve the management and survival of thyroid cancer in the UK. We have audited the management of thyroid cancer in a large district hospital comparing the results to the standards set by the Bri...

Objective: Despite being the most common endocrine malignancy, the management of thyroid cancer in the UK remains sub-optimal, with reduced survival rates compared with Western Europe. The British Thyroid association published national guidelines in March 2002 to help standardize and improve the management and survival of thyroid cancer in the UK. We have audited the management of thyroid cancer in a large district hospital comparing the results to the standards set by the Bri...