Endocrine Abstracts

Delay in establishing a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency can lead to adrenal crisis. An adrenal crisis is a potential life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency, and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality if not treated appropriately. Adrenal crises have been defined as ‘acute disturbances of physiology that happen when the circulating levels of adrenal steroid hormones are insufficient for physiological requirements’. Adrenal crisis related deat...

Introduction: Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone production and elevated IGF-1 levels. Annual incidence rates are reported to be between 0.2 and 1.1 cases/100 000 people, with a prevalence of 2.8–13.7 cases/100 000 people. Small numbers make it difficult to differentiate any differences between sex. A recent increase in the number of females diagnosed with acromegaly at our centre, voiced a need for peer and psychological support. It is known that acromegaly...

Case History: A 70-year-old man of Chinese origin presents with a two-month history of worsening visual acuity and double vision. He denied systemic symptoms apart from marginal weight loss. Other medical history includes stable asthma, treated with inhalers. He has a niece and nephew with thyroid disease. He is an ex-smoker, retired accountant, and drinks occasional alcohol. On examination, he was normotensive with a body mass index of 22 kg/m2 however was found to...

Background: The National Patient Safety Alert (2020) and introduction of the NHS Steroid Emergency Card has led to the development of guidelines, publications and patient information, aiming to improve safety and management of adrenal insufficiency and prevention of adrenal crisis. Health Education England (HEE), ‘Plain English’ and NHS England guidance recommends patient information is accessible and clear to a broad range of people, to ensure patients are fully awa...

Introduction: National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has provided guidance for the use of human recombinant GH in the treatment of growth failure in children. An ongoing National GH Audit was established in 2013 by BSPED to maintain a central database and gather information regarding trends in prescribing and facilitate future long-term follow up. This part of the audit looked at the trends of off label prescribing of GH.Method: Data wer...

Introduction: GH therapy is prescribed to UK children for a variety of indications. However, no central record exists, making follow-up studies difficult.Aim: To establish an ongoing audit of UK children and adolescents newly-prescribed GH in order to i) monitor trends in prescribing practice and ii) facilitate future long-term follow-up.Patient population: UK children aged ≤16.0 years newly starting GH therapy.<p class="...

Background: Vitamin-D deficiency and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are common in South Asians (SA). The diagnosis of a vitamin-D deficiency in the setting of a chronic disease depends on a high index of suspicion and adequate investigation. This involves bone profile, occasionally in conjunction with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D. The ability of routine investigations to identify vitamin-D deficient patients have not been widely studied.Aims: To assess the ability o...

Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes and to determine the most appropriate screening investigations.Introduction: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes in the Asian community is well recognised. Vitamin D insufficiency (levels < 50 nmol/l) is associated with impaired insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance. The prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in p...

Background: Peri-operative guidelines (POG) published early 2020, were followed by the NHS National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) and launch of the NHS Steroid Emergency Card (SEC) in Aug 2020. The NatPSA was sent to all NHS health and care providers. This survey was undertaken to assess the implementation and impact of both.Methods: A pilot survey was undertaken at Endocrine Nurse Update 2022 and amended survey emailed ...

Background: Insulinoma is the most common cause of hypoglycaemia due to endogenous hyperinsulinemia. However, they can sometimes present with atypical features. Some of the patients can also develop serious adverse effects to medical treatment. We present a case with atypical features and further developed serious adverse effects with medical treatment for insulinoma.Case presentation: A 42-year-old Caucasian female presented with recurr...