J.A. Strong

FAMILIAL PSEUDOHYPERKALÆMIA A New Syndrome

Inherited pseudohyperkalaemia due to an abnormal red-blood-cell potassium leak was discovered in 16 of 28 relatives of a woman with pseudohyperkalaemia. Autosomal dominance seemed to account for inheritance of this abnormality. Affected subjects were not anaemic and had normal in-vivo plasma-potassium concentrations.

COMPARISON OF FENFLURAMINE AND METFORMIN IN TREATMENT OF OBESITY

Abstract A double-blind trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of fenfluramine and metformin in promoting weight reduction in thirty-four obese women. Metformin proved to be less effective than fenfluramine and a total daily dose of 3·0 g. produced unacceptable side-effects. The effect of fenfluramine in a total daily dose of 80 mg. was still evident up to 32 weeks on a reducing regimen, and was free of serious side-effects. A further double-blind trial was conducted on eighteen of these obese women after 48 weeks of continuous dietary treatment, to study the effect of fenfluramine in a total daily dosage of 160 mg. and its suitability for long-term maintenance treatment. Fenfluramine in this dosage was found to be effective and safe.

EFFECT OF THYROID FUNCTION AND OF OBESITY ON DISCRIMINANT FUNCTION FOR MAMMARY CARCINOMA

Abstract A calculation based on the excretion of corticosteroids and androgens (discriminant function) is used in predicting the response of patients with breast cancer to endocrine ablation. The excretion of these hormones may be altered in obesity and in thyroid disease. In obesity the discriminant function is not abnormal, but in patients with thyroid dysfunction it is significantly reduced. In patients with breast cancer the value of the discriminant function as a prognostic index might be impaired in the presence of associated thyroid disease.

MYOPATHY REMITTING IN PREGNANCY AND RESPONDING TO HIGH-DOSAGE ŒSTROGEN AND PROGESTOGEN THERAPY

Abstract An unusual myopathy failed to respond to corticosteroid therapy, but remitted twice during pregnancy. Treatment with massive doses of oestrogen and progestogen reproduced the spontaneous remissions, and this treatment has been maintained with benefit over the past 6 years. Unfortunately, investigations failed to reveal any features other than pregnancy which might make it possible to identify this form of myopathy. In other such patients this form of treatment should be continued for 6 months at least; the dosage should be of the order of magnitude suggested by the figures for oestrogen and pregnanediol excretion in the third trimester of pregnancy.