Endocrine Abstracts

Thyroid hormones increase foetal and adult metabolic rates, and, in adult tissues, increase mitochondrial biogenesis. Foetal tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations rise towards term in preparation for the increased postnatal energy demands but whether they affect mitochondrial development remains unknown. This study examined mitochondrial development in skeletal muscle of thyroid hormone deficient sheep foetuses near term.At 105–110 days (...

Introduction: Patients with acromegaly are frequently left with long-term adverse sequelae. When compared with individuals with other pituitary adenomas, patients with acromegaly demonstrate greater impairment in their quality of life (QoL).Methods: The disease-specific questionnaire, AcroQoL, and the generic psychological general well-being schedule (PGWBS) were used to evaluate QoL in an acromegaly patient cohort. Longitudinal data were also collected ...

Introduction: No consensus guidelines currently exist as to the optimal glucocorticoid regimen in adrenal insufficiency (AI). In clinical practice physicians utilise a number of different glucocorticoids, usually administered in several doses throughout the day.Methods: The EU-AIR registry is a European multinational, multicentre, prospective, observational study sponsored by Shire inclusive of all patients with AI irrespective of aetiology. We analysed ...

Introduction: During recent years many authors have advocated lower hydrocortisone doses in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) mainly due to worries for non-physiological effects like increased cardiovascular risk and bone resorption, but very little attention has been drawn to fludrocortisone dosing. Our main hypothesis was that that the higher hydrocortisone dose, the lower the fludrocortisone dose and vice versa.Design: The Eur...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) has a spectrum of severity as characterised by GH stimulation tests; the cut-off level for GHD has been a long standing contentious issue. An independent biological correlate of severity would be valuable.Objectives: To identify patterns of gene expression (GE) that correlate with severity in GHD.Methods: Pre-pubertal children with GHD (n=72) were enrolled from the PREDICT study (NCT00256126...

Introduction: Outcomes of the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit have shown that patients of Black ethnic origin have poorer glycaemic control. Additional professional contacts mandated by the Best Practice Tariff aim to improve glycaemic control in paediatric patients with diabetes mellitus, but do not allow for differing needs.Aim: To evaluate whether additional professional support for paediatric diabetic patients are targeted at those with worst glyc...

Introduction: Current understanding about the frequency of adrenal crisis in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) relies exclusively on retrospective data (~6.3 adrenal crisis per 100 patient-years). In addition, no data are available about the frequency of intercurrent illness events in AI patients. For the first time we prospectively used a patient’s diary in recording events of adrenal crisis and intercurrent illness in AI patients.Design: Th...

Introduction: Data concerning patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) have been limited by small numbers of patients reflecting the relatively low prevalence of this disease. The European Adrenal Insufficiency Registry (EU-AIR) is a multicenter observational study of patients with both primary and secondary AI. Enrollment commenced August 2012. Comprehensive demographic data, aetiology of AI, and details of glucocorticoid replacement therapy are collected at baseline. Safety ...

Introduction: In August 2015, a revision of the BSPED-recommended guideline for the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was published. A key difference from the previous guideline was a reduction in maintenance fluid rates, with the aim of reducing the incidence of cerebral oedema. Since implementation of these national guidelines, there have been reports within regional networks of an increased incidence in mild acute renal impairment and hypokalaemia. This retrospectiv...

Introduction: Effective communication between care providers and parents/carers is fundamental for the management of children with Type 1 diabetes. National guidelines highlight the importance of communicating effectively with parents of limited understanding of English. This study evaluates whether parental language proficiency is related to glycaemic control in a paediatric diabetes clinic serving an inner city multi-ethnic population.Method: Routine d...