Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Blood glucose control in insulin-dependent diabetes is heavily influenced by compliance, and how insulin is administered, which is emphasised to those with diabetes. However, when a patient is admitted to hospital, the administration of insulin is often by a nurse. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge of nurses around this subject, and to identify if there was a need for further training.Method: We conducted a prospec...

Case history/Investigations/Results and treatment: A previously healthy 36 year old female was admitted to a local intensive care unit with psychosis and intractable hypokalaemia. She had delivered a live preterm baby girl at 33 weeks gestation ten days previously. The hypokalaemia led to an endocrine consultation which revealed onset of symptoms in the third trimester, with no symptoms present pre-conception. Serum cortisol was 2,258 nmol/l with a nadir K+ of 2.2 mmol/l. She ...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism may severely manifest with an adjusted calcium >3.5mmol/l and increased risk of prolonged postoperative hypocalcaemia. Formal consensus on preoperative optimisation appears lacking, especially around the utility of parenteral bisphosphonate treatment. Bisphosphonate therapy has been demonstrated to cause prolonged hypocalcaemia when given to patients with a history of parathyroidectomy....

Endocrine nursing practice has been changing, with the advent of more autonomous roles, involving nurse led clinics and independent prescribing, with more complex clinical case management. However, recent research highlights the emphasis on optimum patient care, but scope of practice is not always clear, leading to unequal balance in skills and capabilities, qualifications, and Agenda for Change (AfC) bandings. This study explored the remit, job components, and capabilities of...

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is the standard management for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), but its use is associated with significant side effects, including weight gain. Limited research exists on the impact of GC initiation on body composition in DMD, particularly regarding the timing of fat mass increase.Objective: This study aimed to assess changes in growth parameters, namely height-SDS, weight-SDS, b...

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) predisposes patients to infections, which can precipitate life-threatening adrenal crises. PAI patients are thought to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19; however, little is known about its true impact on this group.Aim: To assess morbidity and health promotion attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst a large cohort of PAI patients.Methods: In May 2020 COVID-19 information, ...

Background: The incidence of adrenal crisis remains constant, despite the introduction of behavioural interventions to educate and empower patients. To increase the success of future behaviour change interventions, theoretically informed and empirically supported behaviour change frameworks are available. The current review aimed to identify and evaluate available evidence of interventions used to prevent adrenal crisis in people with primary adrenal insufficiency to inform fu...

Background: Behavioural interventions have been developed to empower patients with adrenal insufficiency and prevent adrenal crisis. Behavioural theory, such as the theoretical domains framework, can inform future intervention development. The current systematic review aims to describe what techniques have been employed in previous interventions and highlight neglected behavioural barriers that could be targeted in future interventions.Methods: We perfor...

Background: Current guidelines recommend regular monitoring of total testosterone, haematocrit and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) when androgen-deficient males are commenced on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The aim is to restore serum total testosterone to the mid-normal range, whilst maintaining haematocrit and PSA at the recommended levels. Limited studies have assessed the impact of ethnicity on these biochemical parameters.Aim: To measure ...

Background: Harrington et al.1 suggest that basal LH of ≥0.3 IU/l as measured by ICMA (Immulite 2500) has 100% specificity and 90.5% sensitivity in identifying progressive central precocious puberty (CPP).Aims: To examine the utility of basal LH measured with the DELFIA assay for identifying CPP in girls.Methods: All girls under age 9 years (median 7.3 years) investigated for precocious puberty with a GnRH...