Belén Dalama

Preoperative Thyrotropin Serum Concentrations Gradually Increase from Benign Thyroid Nodules to Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas Then to Papillary Thyroid Cancers of Larger Size

We evaluated the preoperative serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels in 386 patients operated on for nodular thyroid disease (NTD). TSH levels for cases with final benign disease and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were compared. No evidence of cancer was detected in 310 patients (80.3%), whereas malignancy was present in 76 cases (19.7%). Mean TSH concentration was 1.36 ± 1.62 mU/L in benign patients and 2.08 ± 2.1 in cases with malignant lesions (P = 0.0013). The group of malignancy was subdivided in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTMC) versus thyroid cancer of larger size (TCLS). Mean TSH was 1.71 ± 1.52 in PTMC and 2.42 ± 2.5 in TCLS. Significant differences were found when all groups (benign, PTMC and TCLS) were compared (P < 0.001). However, pairwise comparisons between them showed that differences were only significant between benign and TCLS groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, TSH levels were higher in patients with a final diagnosis of DTC. Moreover, it appears that there exists an increment in tumor size as a function of increment in the TSH level.

New Oral Hypoglycemic Agents and Cardiovascular Risk. Crossing the Metabolic Border.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are a novel pharmacological class of oral hypoglycemic agents that lower glucose levels by increasing renal glucose excretion in an insulin-independent manner. However, this seemingly simple mechanism has more complex indirect metabolic effects. The results of randomized clinical trials have shown that these inhibitors effectively lower blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia and, at the same time, also reduce bodyweight and systolic blood pressure. In this review, we describe the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of currently marketed drugs, as well as other risk factors besides glucose that can potentially be modulated positively. Recent data on empagliflozin showing a significant cardiovascular benefit have compelled us to update knowledge of this new therapeutic class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Communication between primary care and physician specialist: Is it improving?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Efforts have recently been made in Spain to improve the communication model between primary care and specialized care. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of a change in the communication model between the two areas when comparing a traditional system to a consulting system in terms of satisfaction of general practitioners and the number of patient referrals. METHODS A questionnaire was used to assess the point of view on the relations with the endocrinologist team of 20 general practitioners from one primary care center at baseline and 18 months after the implementation of the new method of communication. In addition, we counted the number of referrals during the two periods. RESULTS We analyzed 30 questionnaires; 13 before and 17 after the consulting system was established. Consulting system was preferred to other alternatives as a way of communication with endocrinologists. After the consulting system was implemented, general practitioners were more confident in treating hypothyroidism and diabetes. There was a decrease in the number of patient referrals to specialized care from 93.8 to 34.6 per month after implementation of the consultant system. CONCLUSIONS The consultant system was more efficient in resolving problems and responding to general practitioners than the traditional system. General practitioners were more confident in self-management of hypothyroidism and diabetes. A very large decrease in the number of patient referrals was observed after implementation of the consultant system.

Alteraciones del metabolismo hidrocarbonado en la acromegalia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Carbohydrate metabolism (CHM) is impaired in over 50% of acromegalic patients. Natural history of acromegaly and treatment modalities may impact in a different way on CHM. We assessed CHM alterations in acromegaly and their relationship with clinical features and treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHOD Retrospective study with 55 patients with acromegaly. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor size, insulin growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) levels and the presence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or diabetes mellitus (DM) were analyzed before and after surgery or medical treatment. RESULTS There were 30 men and 25 women. Mean age was 50 ± 17 years and mean BMI was 27.9 ± 3.8 Kg/m(2). Impaired CHM was found in 50.9% (n = 28) (DM in 27% and IFG in 24%). In diabetic patients, we found no differences in age, sex, BMI and IGF-1 levels between IFG/DM and patients without CHM impairment. However, IFG/DM patients had macroadenomas more commonly. In diabetic patients, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased after surgery from 7.6 to 6.7% and after somatostatin analogues from 7.1 to 6.6%; in patients on pegvisomant we observed a significant reduction of HbA1c: from 9.8 to 5.6% (P < .005). Furthermore, only in the pegvisomant group, insulin and/or oral agents had to be lowered. CONCLUSIONS Up to 50% of patients with active acromegaly have CHM impairment which correlates with tumor size. Only pegvisomant is associated with significant improvement in glycemic control and a reduction in hypoglycemic treatment.

Parámetros de control glucémico en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 no insulinizados derivados a consulta de Endocrinología, y grado de implementación del consenso nacional sobre el tratamiento de la hiperglucemia

OBJECTIVE To assess blood glucose in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with oral antidiabetic drugs in primary care at the time of referral to specialized endocrinologists, and the degree of implementation of the national consensus guidelines of the Spanish Society of Diabetes by evaluating steps one (S1), two (S2), and three (S3) of the escalating therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective, observational study where 81 endocrinologists evaluated patients ≥40 years of age referred from primary care between July 2012 and July 2013, treated with 1 to 2 oral antidiabetic drugs but no insulin therapy, and with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels ≥6.5%. Patients also had to have HbA(1c) levels and both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose measurements from the previous three months. RESULTS A total of 285 patients (57.6% males) were assessed. Mean (SD) age was 63.1 (9.7) years, mean HbA1c was 8.5 (1.2) %, mean FPG was 171.7 (43) mg/dL, and mean postprandial plasma glucose was 206.8 (50) mg/dL. In primary care, 26.0% of patients were at S1 and 74.0% were at S2. After referral to the endocrinologist, 9.8% of patients moved onto S1, 42.8% onto S2, and 47.4% onto S3. Oral antidiabetic drugs most commonly prescribed in primary care were metformin (90.2%), DPP-4 inhibitors (34.4%), and sulfonylureas (30.5%), while drugs most commonly used in the specialized endocrinology setting were metformin (86%), insulin (56.8%), and DPP-4 inhibitors (49.8%). The most commonly followed guidelines were those of the American Diabetes Association and the consensus guidelines of the Spanish Society of Diabetes, in 77% and 45% of cases respectively. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half the patients treated with oral antidiabetic drugs in primary care are prescribed insulin after referral to an endocrinology specialist. The most commonly followed guidelines in specialized care are the American Diabetes Association guidelines.

Diabetes insípida como forma de presentación atípica de leucemia mieloide aguda

he association of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and acute yeloid leukemia (AML) is uncommon, occurring in less than % of all patients with DI and less than 1% of patients with ML1--4 with a variable time sequence. It may precede or ccur at the same time or after clinical evidence of hemaological disease. Studies conducted on such associations report a high revalence of chromosome 7 monosomy and karyotypic hanges in the 3q21q26 region, in addition to normal or high latelet counts.4--9 Considered by some authors as a nosologcal condition in itself,8 this set of clinical, laboratory, and aryotypic findings usually has a poor prognosis. It is highly efractory to chemotherapy, with a complete remission rate f LMA with chromosome 7 monosomy (7−) and CDI of 4%, hile the complete remission rate of LMA 7− without CDI is 8%.7,10 We report a case where CDI clinically preceded any other ymptom or sign of AML and its diagnosis. A 37-year old with an unremarkable history was admited to the endocrinology department for urinary frequency, olydipsia, and nicturia of approximately 5 L of water daily. ymptoms had started one week before admission. A systemriented history was negative except for headache of mixed haracteristics and increasing severity for several weeks hat had been treated with corticosteroids for the 4 days receding the patient’s attendance at the clinic. Physical examination revealed no fever, BP of 28/87 mmHg, heart rate of 69 beats per minute, ood general condition, and normal hydration. ardiac and pulmonary auscultation was normal, abdomen as soft and non-tender, and there was no hepatomegaly, plenomegaly, or lymphadenopathy. No focal neurological eficits were found. Laboratory tests results included glucose 97 mg/dL 71--110), urea 15 mg/dL (16--47), creatinine 0.66 mg/dL