ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aims to investigate comorbidities, clinical features, laboratory values, and diagnoses in non-diabetic patients experiencing hypoglycemic episodes. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Shariati Hospital in Iran from 2016 to 2023. Seventy-four non-diabetic patients admitted with a diagnosis of hypoglycemia were included, while patients with diabetes were excluded. Demographic data, symptoms, and biochemical assessments were obtained from the hospital information system. Hypoglycemic episodes were identified based on low measured blood glucose, recorded medications for hypoglycemia treatment, or recorded codes indicating hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia was defined as blood glucose below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) along with two other criteria of the Whipple triad. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26). Results: Among the enrolled patients, 63.5% were female, and 13.5% were elderly (≥ 65 years). The most common comorbidities observed were cardiovascular disease (20.3%), psychological disorders (20.3%), hypothyroidism (14.9%), and hypertension (8.1%). The prevalent symptoms included weakness, loss of consciousness, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, and tremors. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia was caused by factitious disorders, insulinoma, organ failure, and infection, respectively. Conclusion: Due to the diverse range of clinical symptoms, hypoglycemia in non-diabetic patients may be diagnosed late, leading to misdiagnoses such as psychological disorders or seizures. It is crucial to consider the possibility of hypoglycemia in non-diabetic patients and determine its underlying cause. Given the poor prognosis associated with hypoglycemia, timely interventions are essential.
ABSTRACT
Background: Beta-thalassemia major patients frequently have endocrinopathies. We tried to determine relation between demographic and transfusion factor and endocrinopathies. Methods: Major beta-thalassemia patients (n=114 cases), 3-38 yr of age, entered this study. Female to male ratio was 51/63. Children (less than 20 yr) formed 57% of participants. Information about bone mineral density (BMD) and hormonal and biochemistry blood evaluation including fasting blood sugar (FBS), ferritin, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (males), and estradiol (females) entered data sheet. Results: Sex and ferritin level showed no significant correlation with above disorders. Age significantly correlated to short stature, diabetes, low BMD at femur and neck (P, 0.031, 0.008, 0.009 and <0.001, respectively) . The risk of short stature had increased in 12 yr and older patients 7.71 times than younger patients (P= 0.008). The risk of diabetes had increased in 35 yr and older patients 26.25 times than younger patients (P= 0.03). The risk of Z-score ≤ -2 in femoral region has increased in 19 yr and older patients 5.84 times than younger patients (P= 0.002). The risk of Z-score ≤ -2 in spinal region has increased in 14 yr and older patients 17 times than younger patients (P= 0.007). Conclusion: The main factor related with endocrinopathies was age. The correlation between age and short stature, diabetes and low BMD was positive. Therefore, we recommend early monitoring of thalassemia patients (in their late childhood and early teenage) for these complications.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CD4+ T-cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). However, there is limited data about characteristics and function of the newly interleukin (IL)-17-producing T-helper cells in this common autoimmune thyroid disorder. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of T-helper 17-related cytokines in sera of patients with HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytokine concentrations were measured in 48 patients with overt (n = 23) and subclinical hypothyroidism (25) and 35 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in patients than controls (P = 0.001) while no differences were observed with regard to levels of IL-22 and IL-23 between patients and normal controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IL-17 could play some role in the pathogenesis of HT.
ABSTRACT
Obesity, especially when concentrated in the abdominal area, is often associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Stress, particularly occupational stress, is one of the most important factors contributing to the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome components among different populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as the criteria for metabolic syndrome and its risk factors and different obesity phenotype in a population of military personnel aged 20 to 65 years. This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study in which data are extracted from the database of a military hospital (2,200 participants). The records of participants contained information such as age, marital status, educational level, weight, height, body mass index, blood pressure, waist circumference, history of drug use and smoking, as well as the results of tests including lipid profile and fasting blood glucose. The Adult Treatment Panel III criteria as well as two national criteria were used to identify metabolic syndrome among participants. Data analysis was p1erformed using SPSS version 16. The average age of participants was 33.37 (7.75) years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to Iranian cutoff was 26.6% for the waist circumference >90 cm (585 persons) and 19.6% for the waist circumference >95 cm (432 persons). The rate of metabolic syndrome was identified as 11.1% (432 cases) according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Results of the current study identified that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among military individuals is less than other populations, but the prevalence of the syndrome is higher than other military personnel in other countries.