Carla Musso

Association between worse metabolic control and increased thyroid volume and nodular disease in elderly adults with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome has been associated with nodular goiter. Our aim was to evaluate which metabolic parameters in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome are associated with thyroid enlargement or increased prevalence of thyroid nodules. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 77 patients >65 years of age with metabolic syndrome were included. We evaluated the presence of thyroid nodules and thyroid volume by ultrasonography and several biochemical, metabolic and anthropometric parameters. Only patients with thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) levels between 0.3 and 6 mU/L were included. We further divided subjects into two groups-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-T2DM and established comparisons between them. RESULTS Among all parameters analyzed we found a significant correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and volume (r=0.261, P=0.027) or number of nodules (r=0.266, P=0.023). Neither sex, age, body mass index (BMI), metformin, nor levothyroxine use were associated with thyroid volume or nodularity. Within the whole cohort, those patients with T2DM had larger thyroid volumes compared to non-T2DM [median (confidence interval, CI) 6.976 (5.220-10.789) vs. 5.034 (3.796-6.034) mL, P<0.008). Furthermore, a larger proportion of T2DM patients presented thyroid volumes >5.8 mL [69 vs. 23%, P<0.001; odds ratio=7.25 (CI 2.04-25.56)]. CONCLUSIONS In elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, worse metabolic control, represented by higher HbA1c levels, was found associated to increased prevalence of thyroid nodules and larger thyroid volume. Moreover, within the whole metabolic syndrome group, patients with T2DM had the largest thyroid volumes.

Myxedema madness complicating postoperative follow-up of thyroid cancer

Although hypothyroidism is associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric manifestations, myxedema madness is rarely observed. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with no prior history of psychiatric disorders, who presented to the emergency department with psychomotor agitation 6 weeks after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on admission was 62.9 mIU/L and free T4 was < 0.35 ng/dL, indicating severe hypothyroidism. After ruling out other possible causes, the diagnosis of myxedema madness was considered; hence, antipsychotic drug treatment and intravenous levothyroxine were prescribed. Behavioral symptoms returned to normal within 4 days of presentation, while levels of thyroid hormones attained normal values 1 week after admission. Recombinant TSH (Thyrogen®) was used successfully to prevent new episodes of mania due to thyroid hormone withdrawal in further controls for her thyroid cancer. This case illustrates that myxedema madness can occur in the setting of acute hypothyroidism, completely reverting with levothyroxine and antipsychotic treatment. Recombinant TSH may be a useful tool to prevent myxedema madness or any severe manifestation of levothyroxine withdrawal for the follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Pharmacologic Approach to Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Patients

Obesity, as a result of sedentary lifestyles and the rapid nutritional transition from healthy diets (high in fiber and low in fat and calories) to the so-called “westernized diets” (calorie-dense meals containing refined carbohydrates, red meats, sugary desserts, drinks, and high-fat foods), has reached epidemic proportions and is the major risk factor for developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (Cordin et al. 2005). On the other hand, genetic and environmental factors play a concurrent role in the development of T2DM with obesity being one of the most important components. The association of obesity and T2DM leads to numerous healthcare problems including hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and reproductive abnormalities (Haslam and James 2005).