Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Adolescence is a time of change and is associated with a deterioration in glycaemic control. Education is an important part of diabetes care and enables patients to understand how to manage their condition. An audit was carried out to assess whether adolescents with type 1 diabetes were being educated about social aspects of diabetes.Method: Fifteen adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 were asked to subjectively score their knowledge of ...

Introduction: The current study was conducted to assess the level of awareness about diabetes in a random population.Methods: A questionnaire was conducted by communication over the telephone in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and Greece in a random population of 600 persons. Presence of DM1 or DM2 in the person questioned or a family member, knowledge of precipitating factors, duration, curability, choice of phycisian and compliance with medication were assess...

Glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism (GRA) was first described in 1966 by Sutherland et ala. In this family, aldosterone secretion was regulated by ACTH and symptoms and signs were reversed by the administration of exogenous glucocorticoid. GRA is usually characterised by moderate to severe hypertension with early onset. The hypertension is often difficult to control and is associated with greatly increased vascular risk. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and ...

In Northern Ireland, the sole tertiary referral centre for pituitary disease which includes neurosurgery and endocrinology for ~1.9 million people, is based in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. A retrospective study has been commenced to examine clinical, biochemical, histopathological and radiological data for all patients operated on across an approximately 20 year period in Northern Ireland. Ethical approval was obtained from the Northern Ireland Biobank (study num...

It is widely recognised that diabetes education allows for improved time in range and glycaemic control, hopefully leading to improved health outcomes and therefore quality of life of those living with Type 1 diabetes. The school of nursing team at University of Ulster led by David Chaney, identified a lack of structured diabetes education for children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes in Northern Ireland. A multi-centred Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was designed whic...

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes. In the past few years, both the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) have recommended key changes in the management of DKA. These changes incorporate new evidence to reduce the incidence of cerebral oedema and the increased use of insulin pumps.</p...

Northern Ireland was one of the first participating sites for the UK screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) started 40 years ago. This study aimed to explore any changing patterns in incidence over time. Enrolment in the programme has remained high throughout the 40 years (> 98%). The cut-off value for neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (nTSH) on day 5-8 of life reduced in ~1995 from 10 mU/l to 8 mU/l to improve sensitivity and specificity. There was a s...

Type 1 diabetes is a significant condition affecting school aged children with an increasing incidence in the UK. The effects of a chronic condition such as diabetes on a child can be dramatic and are particularly evident within the school setting. The impact of this condition can also be seen on parents, affecting their career, income and quality of life. Hence, this audit aims to identify the difficulties encountered by children in mainstream education, the impact of school ...

Background: The Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) is a regional research platform, established in 2008 to support clinical trials. NICRN comprises 10 groups, one of which is diabetes and all are supported by government funding.Objective: To outline the development and achievements of this research network.Methods: The organisational structure is built around a hub and spoke design. The network is manage</st...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive condition with significant consequences if not correctly diagnosed and treated. We have reviewed the patients with CAH presenting in Northern Ireland between 1976 and 2010.Aims: To determine the age, sex and clinical features at presentation; treatment modalities including perineal surgery in childhood; and long-term outcomes including final height and surgery in adulthood.<p ...