Serial prolactin sampling as a confirmatory test for true hyperprolactinemia.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperprolactinemia may be due to physiological or pathological causes, and may be asymptomatic or induce hypogonadism, infertility, and/or galactorrhea. It is important to take prolactin samples while avoiding stress, as this may increase prolactin levels. Therefore, our aim was to assess the value of prolactin serial sampling after brachial vein cannulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients (34.9±11.8 years of age, 92.4% female) with an initial elevated random prolactin level were included. A prolactin sample was drawn at baseline and after a 30min rest. RESULTS: The median referral prolactin level was 37.4ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR* 23.3), the baseline prolactin level at serial sampling was 19.5ng/ml (IQR 8), and the value after a 30min rest was 17.1ng/ml (IQR 7.9). Hyperprolactinemia was not confirmed by serial sampling in 45 patients (68.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in referral prolactin levels between patients with and without confirmed hyperprolactinemia (41.2ng/ml and 36.7ng/ml respectively, p=0.3). Galactorrhea was found in 13.6% of patients, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea in 28.8%, infertility in 7.6%, erectile dysfunction in 4.6%, and gynecomastia in 3%, while 45.5% were asymptomatic. There were no statistical differences regarding the presence or absence of any of these symptoms and subsequent confirmed hyperprolactinemia. Fifty-seven patients (86.4%) were discharged after the results of the prolactin serial sampling were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Prolactin serial sampling may be a useful test to detect artefactual hyperprolactinemias, thus avoiding unnecessary additional tests and treatments.

MEN1-associated primary hyperparathyroidism in the Spanish Registry: clinical characterictics and surgical outcomes.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome. Bone and renal complications are common. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but the best timing for surgery is controversial and predictors of persistence and recurrence are not well known. Our study describes the clinical characteristics and the surgical outcomes, after surgery and in the long term, of the patients with MEN1 and primary hyperparathyroidism included in the Spanish Registry of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas (REGMEN). Eighty-nine patients (49 men and 40 women, 34.2 ± 13 years old) were included. Sixty-four out of the 89 underwent surgery: a total parathyroidectomy was done in 13 patients, a subtotal parathyroidectomy in 34 and a less than subtotal parathyroidectomy in 15. Remission rates were higher after a total or a subtotal parathyroidectomy than after a less than subtotal (3/4 and 20/22 vs 7/12, P < 0.05), without significant differences in permanent hypoparathyroidism (1/5, 9/23 and 0/11, N.S.). After a median follow-up of 111 months, 20 of the 41 operated patients with long-term follow-up had persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. We did not find differences in disease-free survival rates between different techniques, patients with or without permanent hypoparathyroidism and patients with different mutated exons, but a second surgery was more frequent after a less than subtotal parathyroidectomy.

Changes in Frequency Intake of Foods in Patients Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy and Following a Strict Dietary Control.

PURPOSE: Dietary intake and food preferences change after bariatric surgery, secondary to gastrointestinal symptoms and dietitian counseling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the frequency intake of different foods in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy and following a strict dietary control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study of all the morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure between 2007 and 2012 was performed. Dietary assessment was performed using the Alimentary Frequency Questionnaire 1991-2002, developed and validated by the Department of Epidemiology of Miguel Hernandez University (Elche, Alicante Spain). RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were included for analysis, 73 females and 20 males, with a mean preoperative BMI of 46.4 ± 7.9 kg/m2. One year after surgery, excess weight loss was 81.1 ± 8.3% and 5 years after surgery, 79.9 ± 6.4%. Total weight loss at 1 year was 38.8 ± 5.3% and at 5 years, 35.4 ± 4.9%. Postoperatively, a reduction in the intake of dairy products, red meat, deli meat products, shellfish, fried potatoes, sweets, rice, pasta, beer, and processed foods was observed. Vegetables, fruits, and legumes intake increased after surgery. In the first postoperative year, there was a slight intolerance to red meat, fruits, vegetables and legumes, dairy products, pasta, and rice that mostly disappeared 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: One year after sleeve gastrectomy, calibrated with a 50-French bougie, there are not important problems in the intake of foods a priori difficult to digest. These problems mostly disappeared 5 years after surgery. The decrease intake of other unhealthy foods is mostly based on the dietary counseling.

Maintenance of Multivitamin Supplements After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: After all bariatric procedures, multivitamin supplements are uniformly prescribed to minimize eventual deficiencies. These supplements are usually maintained long time, even during the whole life after malabsorptive techniques, while these are maintained at least during 1 year after restrictive procedures. Given that sleeve gastrectomy does not alter intestinal absorption, the supplements are possibly unnecessary, once the patient can take an adequate diet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study of patients undergoing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed. Patients were randomized into two groups: those patients receiving the multivitamin supplement (Multicentrum, Pfizer, 1 tablet/day) during 3 months (group 1) and those receiving the supplement during 12 months (group 2). Laboratory data were recorded: vitamins (D, B12 and folic acid) and oligoelements (calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc) at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included, 40 in each group. At 3 months, 7.5 % of the patients presented iron deficiency and 2.5 % ferritin one, similarly in both groups, that was corrected with specific extra iron supplements. At 6 months, one patient (2.5 %) in group 1 presented iron deficiency and one in group 2 vitamin D deficiency (NS). At 12 months, only one patient in group 2 presented vitamin D deficiency, treated with specific supplements. CONCLUSION: The maintenance of multivitamin supplements more than 3 months postoperatively seems to be of no benefit. It is preferable monitoring laboratory values and adding specific supplements when necessary. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02620137.

Preoperative Regular Diet of 900 kcal/day vs Balanced Energy High-Protein Formula vs Immunonutrition Formula: Effect on Preoperative Weight Loss and Postoperative Pain, Complications and Analytical Acute Phase Reactants After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Between 2 and 8 weeks before surgery, most bariatric surgery groups establish strict dietary treatments with a total caloric intake of less than 1,000 kcal/day in order to maximize weight loss during this period of time. METHODS: A prospective randomized clinical trial of all the patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was performed. Patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups: those patients receiving a preoperative regular diet of 900 kcal/day (group 1), those receiving a preoperative balanced energy high-protein formula (group 2) and those receiving preoperative Immunonutrition (group 3). Preoperative weight loss, postoperative pain, complications and analytical acute phase reactants were investigated. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the study, 20 in each group. Preoperative excess weight loss was 7.7 % in group 1, 12.3 % in group 2 and 15.3 % in group 3 (p = 0.014). Median postoperative pain was 3.5 in group 1, 3 in group 2 and 2 in group 3 (p = 0.048). C-reactive protein determined 24 h after surgery was significantly lower in group 3 than in the other groups. AST and ALT values were significantly lower in group 3 than in the other groups, without significant differences between groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diet with Immunonutrition formulas during 2 weeks achieves a greater preoperative weight loss, lower postoperative pain and lower values of CRP and liver enzymes than high-protein formulas or regular diet, all of them with similar caloric intake.

Effect of preoperative eating patterns and preoperative weight loss on the short- and mid-term weight loss results of sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Weight loss depends directly on the adhesion to the postoperative diet in patients undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different preoperative feeding patterns and the adhesion to a preoperative diet on short and mid- term postoperative weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of all morbidly obese patients undergoing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a bariatric procedure between 2008 and 2012 was performed. Preoperative feeding patterns and weight loss, preoperatively and postoperatively at 12 and 24 months, were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were included, with a mean preoperative BMI of 51,2+7,9 kg/m(2). All the patients presented a feeding pattern of big eaters, 44% of snackers, 40% of sweet eaters and 48% reported regular ingestion of «light¼ soft drinks. Mean preoperative excess weight loss (EWL) was 13,4% (range 10-31,4%). At 12 months mean EWL was 83,7% and at 24 months 82,4%. Pre and postoperative EWL showed a direct correlation at 12 and 24 months. Mean EWL was significantly lower in snackers, sweet eaters and those drinking «light¼ soft drinks regularly. CONCLUSION: Preoperative weight loss correlates directly with postoperative weight loss at 1 and 2 years. Snackers, sweet eaters and «light¼ soft drink consumers, associated with a big eater pattern, achieve a significantly lower postoperative weight loss.

[Pre and postoperative adherence to Mediterranean-like diet and its effect on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors after sleeve gastrectomy]. / Adherencia pre y postoperatoria a la dieta Mediterránea y su efecto sobre la pérdida de peso y el perfil lipídico en pacientes obesos mórbidos sometidos a gastrectomía vertical como procedimiento bariátrico.

PURPOSE: Even in the Mediterranean countries, the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is every day smaller. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to Mediterranean diet of morbidly obese patients before and after undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study of all the patients undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) as bariatric technique between October 2010 and May 2012 was performed. All the patients completed the KIDMED index, before surgery and 1 year after the intervention. KIDMED index assessed the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were included in the study. Before surgery, 30% of patients presented a poor adherence to Mediterranean diet, 64% an average adherence and 6% a good adherence, whereas 1 year after surgery 2% showed poor adherence, 58% an average adherence and 40% good adherence (p=0.02). A significant inverse correlation could be established between KIDMED score changes and weight loss (Spearman -0.357; p=0.008), total cholesterol (Spearman -0.442; p=0.003) and LDL-cholesterol (Spearman -0.464 p=0.002). A direct correlation could be established between KIDMED score and HDL-cholesterol increases (Spearman 0.562; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with better adherence to a Mediterranean diet showed greater weight loss and improvement of lipid profile 1 year after surgery.

Introducción: El cumplimiento de la dieta mediterránea es cada vez menor, incluso en países mediterráneos, a pesar de estar considerada como un ejemplo de dieta saludable. Objetivos: El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue evaluar la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea en pacientes obesos mórbidos antes y después de ser sometidos a una gastrectomía vertical como técnica bariátrica. Así mismo, se analizó también la influencia de la adherencia sobre la pérdida de peso conseguida y sobre la evolución de los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo de todos los pacientes sometidos a una gastrectomía vertical entre octubre de 2010 y mayo de 2012. Los pacientes rellenaron un test KIDMED (evalúa la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea) antes de la operación y 1 año después de la misma. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 50 pacientes en el estudio. Antes de la operación, el 30% de los pacientes estudiados presentaban una baja adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, el 64% una adherencia moderada y sólo un 6% una buena adherencia. Al año de la intervención, sólo un 2% de los casos presentaban una baja adherencia, un 58% una adherencia moderada y un 40% una buena adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (p=0,02). Se estableció una correlación inversa entre el aumento de puntuación del test KIDMED (indicador de mayor adherencia a la dieta mediterránea) y la pérdida de peso (Spearman -0,357; p=0,008), el descenso en los valores de colesterol total (Spearman -0,442; p=0,003) y de LDL-colesterol (Spearman -0,464; p=0,002). Además, se observó una correlación directa entre el aumento de puntuación del test KIDMED y el incremento en los niveles de HDL-colesterol (Spearman 0,562; p=0,001). Conclusiones: Después de la operación, los pacientes cumplen mejor los patrones de dieta mediterránea. Aquellos pacientes con mejor adherencia a la misma, consiguieron una mayor pérdida de peso y una mejoría significativa del perfil lipídico.

Evolution of subclinical hypothyroidism and its relation with glucose and triglycerides levels in morbidly obese patients after undergoing sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure.

BACKGROUND: There is an increased prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in patients with obesity. It is unclear if this biochemical abnormality may be a secondary phenomenon of obesity or a real hypothyroid state. METHODS: A retrospective study of all the morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure between October 2007 and November 2012 was performed. Weight loss, body mass index (BMI) and excess weight loss, baseline glucose, lipid profiles, and TSH levels were obtained before operation and postoperative determinations at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 16.7% preoperatively, 10% at 3 months, 3.3% at 6 months, and 1.7% at 12 months. A significant correlation could be established between TSH decrease and weight loss at 12 months (Pearson 0.603; p = 0.007). TSH decrease showed a significant correlation with glucose and glycated hemoglobin decrease from 6th month onwards. Referring to lipid profile, an association of TSH decrease with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol could not be determined. A significant association between TSH decrease and triglycerides and cardiovascular risk index triglycerides/HDL cholesterol reductions could also be established 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: SCH is usually corrected after bariatric surgery, while there are no significant changes in total or LDL cholesterol. This suggests that, in morbidly obese subjects, SCH is, in most patients, just a consequence of the abnormal fat accumulation and not a real hypothyroid state.

[Recommendations of the Spanish Pancreatic Club on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis: part 2 (treatment)]. / Recomendaciones del Club Español Pancreático para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la pancreatitis crónica: parte 2 (tratamiento).

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic disease to disabling forms or serious complications. The management of CP frequently differs among geographical areas and even among centers. These differences are due to the scarcity of high-quality studies and clinical practice guidelines that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The aim of the Spanish Pancreatic Club was to create evidence-based recommendations for the management of CP. Two coordinators chose a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts in this disease. These experts were selected on the basis of their clinical and research experience in CP. A list of questions was drawn up and each question was then reviewed by two panelists. These questions were then used to produce a draft, which was discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all the participants. Levels of evidence were based on the classification of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. In the second part of the consensus process, recommendations were established for the management of pain, pseudocysts, biliary and duodenal stenosis, pancreatic fistula and ascites, left portal hypertension, diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and nutritional support in CP.

[Recommendations of the Spanish Pancreatic Club on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis: part 1 (diagnosis)]. / Recomendaciones del Club Español Pancreático para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la pancreatitis crónica: parte 1 (diagnóstico).

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a relatively uncommon, complex and highly heterogeneous disease. There is no clear pattern applicable to the initial stages of CP, which hampers its early diagnosis. Some of the complications of CP, especially chronic pain, can be difficult to manage. There is wide variation in the diagnosis and treatment of CP and its complications among centers and health professionals. The Spanish Pancreatic Club has developed a consensus document on the management of CP. Two coordinators chose a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts in this disease. A list of questions was drawn up. Each question was reviewed by two experts. These questions were then used to produce a draft, which was discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all the participants. The first part of the consensus document focusses on the diagnosis of CP and its complications.

[Response to adjuvant therapy with potassium perchlorate in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: observations on three cases]. / A propósito de tres casos. Respuesta a la terapia adyuvante con perclorato potásico en la tirotoxicosis inducida por amiodarona.

INTRODUCTION: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a common clinical disorder that may be life threatening and whose clinical manifestations and response to treatment may vary among patients. METHODS: We present three patients treated with amiodarone for atrial fibrillation who developed AIT at least 36 months after beginning the treatment. Thyrotoxicosis worsened the underlying cardiac disorders and was resistant to treatment based on the combination of dexamethasone 8-12 mg/day i.v., thioamides 45 mg/day p.o., beta blockers and potassium perchlorate at doses of 800 to 1000 mg per day p.o. Two of the patients attained sustained euthyroidism after 12 and 32 days of combined treatment, while the third required total thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The combination of thioamides with potassium perchlorate is an appropriate form of therapy for AIT in patients resistant to thioamides. The use of this combination should be evaluated in patients with mixed AIT or AIT of unclear etiology.

Oncocytic transformation in pituitary adenomas: immunohistochemical analyses of 65 cases.

CONTEXT: Oncocytic change in pituitary adenomas has been evaluated by electron microscopy and more recently by immunohistochemistry. The clinical significance of this change is not well known, although some reports suggest a relationship with more aggressive behavior. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of oncocytic change in pituitary adenomas and to correlate this finding with clinicopathologic factors. DESIGN: We studied oncocytic change in a series of 65 pituitary adenomas by immunohistochemistry. According to the percentage of oncocytic cells stained by antimitochondrial antibody, adenomas were classified in 3 groups: 50% or more, 10% to 49%, and 1% to 9% of oncocytic cells. RESULTS: Eight cases (12.3%) showing at least 50% of oncocytic cells were classified as oncocytic adenomas: 6 were gonadotroph adenomas and 2 were null-cell adenomas. Among the remaining cases, 9 (14%; all gonadotroph adenomas) showed 10% to 49% oncocytic cells, and in 14 cases (21.5%; 5 gonadotroph adenomas, 6 somatotroph adenomas, 2 corticotroph adenomas, and 1 thyrotroph adenoma) between 1% and 9% were shown. Patients with adenomas that showed oncocytic change presented more frequently at a higher average age (P =.05), but no relationship with extrasellar extension or proliferative activity measured by Ki-67 was observed. In somatotroph adenomas, cases with oncocytic change showed higher percentages of Ki-67 (P =.05) but no correlation with extrasellar extension or cytokeratin staining (dot pattern versus perinuclear) was found. CONCLUSION: Adenomas with oncocytic change present more frequently in older patients, but they are not clinically more aggressive. In addition, somatotroph adenomas with oncocytic cells show similar cytokeratin pattern and higher proliferative activity, which is not correlated with local aggressiveness.