Survey on Endocrinology and Nutrition undergraduate teaching in Spain-2021.

OBJECTIVES: Advances in endocrinology and nutrition (E&N) and the importance of its associated disorders require that its teaching within the medical degree meets adequate standards of quality and homogeneity Our objective was to expand the data on E&N undergraduate teaching in Spain. METHODS: We designed an observational, cross-sectional web-based study addressed to the coordinators of E&N teaching at the 42 faculties of medicine that had taught the subject during the 2020-2021 academic year. RESULTS: One in three faculties had a professor who was an E&N specialist, but less than half had a full professor of E&N. There is great variability in teaching programmes, although most of them dedicate 6 ECTS credits to the subject. Over two-thirds of the faculties maintain theoretical lessons with over 50 students per class. Most programmes dedicate between four and six hours to hypothalamic pituitary disorders, thyroid diseases and adrenal gland disorders. However, there is great variability in the time dedicated to diabetes and nutrition. In one-third of the faculties, students are not required to do a rotation in the E&N department. Teachers at the universities widely participate in undergraduate/master's students' final projects and master's degree studies. CONCLUSIONS: The E&N specialty maintains a good position within universities, but there is still great heterogeneity in the teaching structure of the subject.

A survey on the perception of the specialty of Endocrinology and Nutrition among students preparing for the entrance exam for medical specialty training in Spain.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Previous studies have shown that there is decreasing interest in E&N among medical students. The aim of our study was to evaluate the perception of E&N among a sample of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We surveyed 2252 students prior to taking the exam that allows access to specialised training in Spain. RESULTS: Overall, 9.9% (222 participants) would probably choose E&N. The most positive aspects in includes of the specialty are its logical pathophysiological basis (54%) and that the work is dynamic and varied (27%), while the least attractive aspects are the few interventional techniques. The parts of the specialty that most attract students are hypothalamic-pituitary disease and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of candidates who want to study E&N as their first choice is adequate in relation to the number of places available.

Consensus document on the management of hyponatraemia of the Acqua Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition.

INTRODUCTION: Hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte disorder in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Despite this frequency, hyponatremia, including severe hyponatremia, is frequently underestimated and inadequately treated, thus highlighting the need to produce consensus documents and clinical practice guidelines geared towards improving the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to it in a structured fashion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Members of the Acqua Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) met using a networking methodology over a period of 20 months (between October 2019 and August 2021) with the aim of discussing and developing an updated guideline for the management of hyponatraemia. A literature search of the available scientific evidence for each section presented in this document was performed. RESULTS: A document with 8 sections was produced, which sets out to provide updated guidance on the most clinically relevant questions in the management of hyponatraemia. The management of severe hyponatraemia is based on the i.v. administration of a 3% hypertonic solution. For the management of chronic euvolemic hyponatraemia, algorithms for the initiation of treatment with the two pharmacological therapeutic options currently available in Spain are presented: urea and tolvaptan. CONCLUSIONS: This document sets out to simplify the approach to and the treatment of hyponatraemia, making it easier to learn and thus improve the clinical approach to hyponatremia.

Management of hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia during the Covid-19 pandemic: a consensus statement of the Spanish Society for Endocrinology (Acqua Neuroendocrinology Group).

SARS-COV2 infection has swiftly become a pandemic disease of historic relevance and widely variable outcomes. This variable prognosis is related both to uneven damage, among others, to lungs, heart and kidneys, and to a multisystemic inflammatory reaction. All these factors are known to disrupt water balance and potentially induce hyponatraemia or hypernatraemia. Water balance disorders are known mortality and morbidity risk factors in several clinical scenarios and their proper management, though often complex and hazardous, can reduce mortality and length of hospitalization. Clinical uncertainty over COVID-19 outcome, the variety of organs involved in both the infection and water balance and difficulties in clinical examination due to risk of contagion might obstruct proper management of dysnatremic disorders. Thus, the Acqua Neuroendocrinology Group of the Spanish Society for Endocrinology (SEEN) has endeavoured to provide evidence and expert based recommendations on the management of hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia in COVID-19 patients.

[Parathyroid hormone as a predictor of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia]. / Valor predictivo de la paratohormona en la hipocalcemia postiroidectomía.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The risk of developing hypocalcemia is the reason for prolonged hospitalisation after total thyroidectomy. The objective of this study was to validate parathyroid hormone measurement for predicting post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy from February 2009 to March 2010 were enrolled in this prospective study to determine the best timing and cutoff point of parathyroid hormone to predict hypocalcemia. Patients with any condition that could interfere with calcium homeostasis were excluded from the survey. Parathyroid hormone and serum calcium levels were determined preoperatively, immediately after surgery and a number of hours later. RESULTS: Treatment for hypocalcemia was required in 16.7% of patients. A percent of delayed decrease in parathyroid hormone was chosen as the best measurement to predict hypocalcemia. An 80% or higher decrease in delayed parathyroid hormone levels had 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 77.2-100%) and 87% specificity (95% CI: 77-93%) for selecting patients for early discharge. Using this test, 73.2% of the patients could have been discharged 24 hours after surgery. A 98% decrease in delayed parathyroid hormone levels could select candidates for early calcium replacement with 98.6% specificity (95% CI: 92.2-99.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in postoperative delayed parathyroid hormone levels is a good predictor of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. A decrease of 80% or more in delayed parathyroid hormone level is a test with excellent sensibility and specificity for selecting candidates for early discharge. The 98% cutoff point has high specificity for selecting patients for early calcium replacement.

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia: review of three cases.

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, also denominated familial benign hypercalcemia, is an uncommon cause of hypercalcemia. It is caused by mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor, which are inherited in an autosomal dominant high-penetrance fashion. Generally, patients are asymptomatic, and heterozygote cases are diagnosed in childhood or adulthood, when diagnostic work-up of an incidentally discovered hypercalcemia ensues. This disorder is characterized by moderate hypercalcemia, with normal parathormone levels and low urine calcium excretion. It is very important to diagnose this condition, as it does not require surgical procedures, unlike primary hyperparathyroidism, which needs parathyroidectomy in 50% of cases. We present 3 cases of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia belonging to the same family, and provide an updated review on the topic.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma: case report and literature review.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors comprising mature adipose tissue and diverse hematopoietic elements. These neoplasms are usually incidental findings, although bulky masses can generate abdominal pain as well as other symptoms related to compression of adjacent organs. Diagnosis is usually provided by ultrasonography or computed tomography. Asymptomatic patients with tumors with a maximum diameter of less than 6cm can benefit from periodic surveillance, whereas local compression symptoms and size larger than 6cm are indications for surgical treatment. We present a case of giant adrenal myelolipoma and provide a review of the literature.

[Insulin pumps]. / Bombas de insulina.

Treatment with insulin in form of continued subcutaneous infusions is intended to mimic the normal pancreatic function. Insulin pumps are currently a reality and they allow for an improvement of glycemic oscillations and contribute to decrease HbA1c and to improve patient's quality of life. Infusion systems are quite advanced and the challenge at present are glycemia sensors. There are several trials under way which are trying to establish if it is possible for sensors to work with a closed-loop system. In the meantime, patients will continue to perform (and interpret) glycemic controls. The role of physicians must be to advice patients about diabetes and the management of pumps so that they are able to minimize hypoglycemias and optimize glycemic controls.