Teresa Pedro

Plasma homocysteine levels are associated with ulceration of the foot in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

To examine the association of biochemical markers of risk (plasma Hcy, microalbuminuria, lipoprotein (a)(Lp(a)) and diabetic dyslipidaemia) with the prevalence of diabetic foot ulceration in type 2 diabetic patients.

Plasma homocysteine levels are independently associated with the severity of peripheral polyneuropathy in type 2 diabetic subjects

Peripheral polyneuropathy (PN) is a frequent complication of diabetes. However, mechanisms underlying the development of PN are multifactorial and not well understood. Our aim was to examine the association of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) with the prevalence and grade of peripheral PN in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We studied a cohort of 196 subjects with T2DM classified according to the grade of PN (Neuropathy Disability Score, NDS). Subjects with the highest grade of PN were older and had significantly increased levels of creatinine, microalbuminuria, HbA1c, and plasma Hcy compared to the other two groups. The differences in plasma Hcy values were maintained after correcting for confounding factors. Plasma Hcy, HbA1c, duration of diabetes, and age were predictors of the grade of PN. In conclusion, for each increase of 1 µmol in plasma Hcy there was a 23% increase of the risk of diabetic PN evaluated by NDS. Moreover, the grade of PN was predicted by plasma Hcy and HbA1c values, age and duration of diabetes. Further prospective studies should be conducted to confirm the association of plasma Hcy levels with the grade of PN in subjects with T2DM.

Supresión del eje hipotálamo-hipofisario-suprarrenal por la exposición crónica a glucocorticoides de uso tópico. Presentación de dos casos clínicos

Presentamos 2 casos clinicos con psoriasis extensa en los que el mal uso prolongado de corticoides topicos indujo la supresion del eje hipotalamohipofisario- suprarrenal y, como consecuencia, una insuficiencia suprarrenal secundaria. Se comentan los mecanismos y los factores que pueden dar lugar a dicha supresion.

Utilidad de la ultrasonografía endoscópica para el diagnóstico de localización de tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos: presentación de 2 insulinomas benignos

Los insulinomas son tumores neuroendocrinos que se manifiestan por episodios de hipoglucemia de ayuno. El diagnostico se basa en la sospecha clinica, que debe ir seguida de la demostracion de hiperinsulinismo y la localizacion tumoral. Sin embargo, la localizacion no siempre es posible con las tecnicas de imagen habituales, por lo que se debe recurrir a otras mas complejas. Presentamos 2 casos de insulinomas cuya localizacion tumoral no fue posible con tecnicas de imagen convencionales, pero si con ultrasonografia endoscopica.

Dificultad en el tratamiento del hipertiroidismo por amiodarona: Presentación de un caso

Amiodarone causes changes in thyroid function tests in about 15-20% of patients, inducing either hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. The iodine load and the destructive thyroiditis caused by amiodarone produce thyrotoxicosis. We report a case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis diagnosed when investigating the reason for worsening of cardiac function. Prognosis and treatment of cardiac disorder were determined by thyrotoxicosis. The management needed a closed monitoring of thyroid function. Treatment was based on high doses of propylthiouracil and dexamethasone, but they couldn t control cardiac condition and surgery was warranted. When amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis is refractory to medical treatment, we believe surgery should be considered earlier.