Alemtuzumab induces severe orbitopathy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

CONTEXT: Treatment with Alemtuzumab (ALZ) in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) is associated with the development of ALZ-induced Graves' disease (GD-ALZ). Some cases may develop associated Graves´ Orbitopathy (GO-ALZ), with possible visual compromise. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the main clinical and biochemical characteristics of GD-ALZ, as well as the clinical course of a case series of GO-ALZ METHODS: This study is a retrospective observational study, carried out in a reference hospital for the care of patients with RRMS in Spain. Cases treated with ALZ in the period 2014-2022 were included. GO-ALZ cases were identified among those with clinical symptoms compatible with thyroid eye disease after initiating ALZ treatment. RESULTS: A total of 135 cases, with a mean follow-up of 69.6 months after the first ALZ cycle, were included. The incidence of GD-ALZ was 32.6% (44/135), with a predominance of women (77.3%) and mean age of 41.9 years. The presence of first-degree relatives with hypothyroidism was identified as risk factor for the development of GD-ALZ (adjusted P-value: 0.02). GO-ALZ was diagnosed in 6 cases (incidence: 13.6%), of which 3 had severe clinical forms of GO, requiring anti-IL-6 treatment. A favorable response was reported in all of them, with a significant decrease in disease activity and improvement in proptosis. CONCLUSIONS: We report one of the largest cohorts of GD-ALZ and GO-ALZ cases. The diagnosis of these entities should be taken into account in patients treated with Alemtuzumab, given the risk of developing severe clinical forms. In moderate-severe forms of GO-ALZ, drugs with anti-IL-6 activity are a safe and effective option.

Effectiveness of a flash glucose monitoring systems implementation program through a group and telematic educational intervention in adults with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Verifying the clinical effectiveness and the impact on quality-of-life parameters, fear of hypoglycaemia and satisfaction with the treatment obtained with a flash glucose monitoring (MFG) devices implantation program that includes a telematic and group educational intervention in adults with type 1 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective quasi-experimental study, carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic period with a 9-month follow-up at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla. RESULTS: Eighty-eight participants were included (men: 46.6%; mean age (years) 38.08, SD: 9.38); years of DM1 evolution: 18.4 (SD: 10.49); treatment with multiple doses insulin (MDI) 70.5% vs 29.5% subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy (CSII)). Baseline HbA1c was 7.74% (1.08). After the intervention, the global decrease in HbA1c was -0.45% (95% CI [-0.6, -0.25], P < 0.01), increasing to -1.08% in the group that started with HbA1c ≥ 8% (P < 0.01). A mean decrease in the Fear of Hypoglycemia 15 (FH15) test score of -6.5 points was observed (P < 0.01). In the global score of the Spanish version of Diabetes Quality Of Life (DQOL-s) test, the decrease was -8.44 points (P < 0.01). In Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire test (DTQ-s), global score increased in + 4 points (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of an educational program in group and telematic format within the development of MFG devices implantation strategies is an effective option, with associated benefits in quality of life and fear of hypoglycemia in adult patients with DM1. This option can be implemented in usual clinical practice.

Quantification of foveal avascular zone area and macular vascular density changes in papilledema by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography.

This work provide objective measures of foveal avascular zone area and macular vascular density by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography during the follow-up of a patient with papilledema due to secondary intracranial hypertension.

Renal function and choroidal thickness using swept-source optical coherence tomography in diabetic patients.

AIM: To assess the relationship between choroidal thickness and renal function in diabetic patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective clinical study of 42 eyes of 21 ocular treatment-naïve diabetic patients. Demographic data included: age, sex, type and course of diabetes. Ocular data included: severity of diabetic retinopathy; retinal thickness at the central macular region, as well as choroidal thickness at the central and paracentral quadrants, using automatically generated maps by swept-source optical coherence tomography; presence of cystic macular edema; and ocular axial length (AXL). Lab-test parameters included: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), albuminuria, albumin/creatinine ratio in urine, and glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was mainly observed between several choroidal thicknesses, age (P<0.020) and ocular AXL (P<0.030). On the contrary, a significant positive correlation was found between all choroidal thicknesses, HbA1c (P<0.035) and albuminuria (P<0.040). CONCLUSION: Choroidal thickness can represent an additional tool to help clinicians predicting the renal status in ocular treatment-naïve diabetic patients.

Implementation of subcutaneous insulin protocol for non-critically ill hospitalized patients in andalusian tertiary care hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: In 2009, the Andalusian Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition designed a protocol for subcutaneous insulin treatment in hospitalized non-critically ill patients (HIP). OBJECTIVE: To analyze implementation of HIP at tertiary care hospitals from the Andalusian Public Health System. METHOD: A descriptive, multicenter study conducted in 8 tertiary care hospitals on a random sample of non-critically ill patients with diabetes/hyperglycemia (n=306) hospitalized for ≥48 hours in 5 non-surgical (SM) and 2 surgical (SQ) departments. Type 1 and other specific types of diabetes, pregnancy and nutritional support were exclusion criteria. RESULTS: 288 patients were included for analysis (62.5% males; 70.3±10.3 years; 71.5% SM, 28.5% SQ). A scheduled subcutaneous insulin regimen based on basal-bolus-correction protocol was started in 55.9% (95%CI: 50.5-61.2%) of patients, 63.1% SM vs. 37.8% SQ (P<.05). Alternatives to insulin regimen based on basal-bolus-correction included sliding scale insulin (43.7%), diet (31.3%), oral antidiabetic drugs (17.2%), premixed insulin (1.6%), and others (6.2%). For patients previously on oral antidiabetic drugs, in-hospital insulin dose was 0.32±0.1 IU/kg/day. In patients previously on insulin, in-hospital insulin dose was increased by 17% [-13-53], and in those on insulin plus oral antidiabetic drugs, in-hospital insulin dose was increased by 26.4% [-6-100]. Supplemental insulin doses used for<40 IU/day and 40-80 IU/day were 72.2% and 56.7% respectively. HbA1c was measured in 23.6% of patients (95CI%: 18.8-28.8); 27.7% SM vs. 13.3% SQ (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies are needed to improve implementation of the inpatient subcutaneous insulin protocol, particularly in surgical departments. Sliding scale insulin is still the most common alternative to insulin regimen based on basal-bolus-correction scheduled insulin. Metabolic control assessment during hospitalization should be encouraged.