Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound found in a variety of everyday products. Exposure to BPA impacts negatively ovarian response, number of fertilized oocytes and implantation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of the study was to determine BPA levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to women with tubal factor (TF) infertility who underwent IVF as well as to investigate their effect in critical endp...

Introduction: Visceral adiposity index (VAI), initially developed as an indicator of visceral adipose function for the assessment of cardiometabolic risk, has been also proposed for the detection of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the diagnostic performance of VAI as a marker of hepatic steatosis (HS) is still under investigation.Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of VAI as a marker of HS in a cohort of overweight and obese premenopau...

Aim: Cinacalcet is a useful treatment option in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) who are managed conservatively; however there are licensing issues and challenges for prescribing in primary care. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of cinacalcet treatment in PHPT and benefit of admission avoidance.Methods: Data on patients treated with cinacalcet for PHPT were analysed. PTH, adjusted calcium and vitamin D at initiation, calcium at 6 and 12 ...

Aim: Pre-operative localisation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been based on ultrasound (US) of neck and MIBI scans with an expectation that solitary parathyroid adenomas (PA) would be localised with reasonable accuracy and sensitivity, to enable mini-parathyroidectomy. The aim of our audit was to assess the utility of both these imaging in patients with parathyroid adenoma.Method: Retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who had s...

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a clinical condition often recognized as a result of biochemical screening. While surgery is indicated in symptomatic hypercalcaemic states, the need and timing of surgery in asymptomatic patients is not always clearcut. We conducted a retrospective audit on the diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism between the years 2010 and 2014.Method: Patients were identified through our histopatho...

Aim: To develop a cost effective and individualised service model for GH replacement therapy based on a joint decision making process with patients and commissioners.Background: At University College London Hospital (UCLH), we have a caseload of about 300 adult patients treated with GH. Our in house structured GH treatment proforma is used at the patient’s initial consultation for joint decision making on prescribing the most suitable GH, e.g. non-r...

Aim: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is widely prevalent in patients with obesity, referred for bariatric surgery. Various clinical tools are clinically used for screening pre-operatively before referring for formal sleep studies. The aim of our observational analysis was to assess the usefulness of various screening methods for OSA used in clinical practice.Methods: Records of all patients who had been referred to bariatric services in 2014 were reviewed...

ACTH signalling at the adrenal zona fasciculata induces rapid synthesis of glucocorticoids, accompanied by rapid transcription of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes, including the labile, rate-limiting protein, StAR protein. ACTH induction of StAR transcription has been demonstrated to be predominantly CREB-dependent, and this mechanism is regulated by both CREB phosphorylation and its binding to the CREB co-activator TORC (transducer of regulated CREB activity, also known a...

Introduction: Half of subjects following a low-calorie dietary program cannot tolerate its nutritional restrictions and abandon it. A realistic approach to overcome this obstacle is the addition of low glycaemic index (GI), low glycaemic load (GL) snacks in their nutrition. Stevia, a potent, low calorie natural sweetener exerts anti-hyperglycaemic and insulinotropic activities. Furthermore, Vitamin D deficiency may affect diabetes development in the long run.<p class="abst...

Introduction: GH deficiency in adulthood is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is attributed to unfavorable changes in body composition and in metabolic parameters.Aim: We evaluated haemodynamic, metabolic, inflammatory and coagulation indices that may contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in GH deficient subjects.Methods: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with GH deficiency (13 male), with a mean (S...