Skeletal health in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Osteoporosis and fractures are important comorbidities in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), with potential negative impact on quality of life and survival. The main determinant of skeletal fragility in DTC is the thyrotropin (TSH)-suppressive therapy, which is commonly recommended to prevent disease's recurrence, especially in patients with structural incomplete response after thyroid surgery and radio-iodine therapy. TSH-suppressive therapy can stimulate bone resorption with consequent bone loss, deterioration of bone microstructure and high risk of fragility fractures. The skeletal effects of TSH-suppressive therapy may be amplified when thyroid cancer cells localize to the skeleton inducing alterations in bone remodelling, impairment of bone structure and further increase in risk of fractures. The management of skeletal fragility in DTC may be challenging, since prediction of fractures is a matter of uncertainty and data on effectiveness and safety of bone-active agents in this clinical setting are still scanty. This review deals with pathophysiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of skeletal fragility of patients with DTC.

A 2019 update on TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas (TSH-omas) present with signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and they are characterized by elevated serum levels of free thyroid hormones with measurable TSH levels. TSH-omas are very infrequent, accounting for less than 1% of all pituitary adenomas, thus representing a very rare cause of hyperthyroidism. For this reason, data collected on these rare disorders are relatively few, but some new researches shed new light on the etiopathogenesis, the diagnosis and the treatment of such a remarkable disease. Since the same biochemical picture is present in the syndromes of thyroid hormone resistance (RTH), in particular in the form of pituitary RTH, failure in distinguishing these clinical entities may lead to improper patient management. Conversely, early diagnosis and correct treatment of TSH-omas may prevent the occurrence of neurological and endocrinological complications, thus leading to a better rate of cure. In the present short review article, the most relevant recent advances in the pathophysiology of TSH-omas are described.

Analysis of characteristics and outcomes by growth hormone treatment duration in adult patients in the Italian cohort of the Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study (HypoCCS).

PURPOSE: To examine differences in effects according to growth hormone (GH) treatment duration in adult GH-deficient patients. METHODS: In the Italian cohort of the observational Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study, GH-treated adults with GH deficiency (GHD) were grouped by duration of treatment; ≤ 2 years (n = 451), > 2 to ≤ 6 years (n = 387) and > 6 years (n = 395). Between-group differences in demographics, medical history, physical characteristics, insulin-like growth factor-I standard deviation score (IGF-I SDS) and lipid profile at baseline, last study visit and changes from baseline to last study visit were assessed overall, for adult- and childhood-onset GHD and by gender using ANOVA for continuous variables and Chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: At baseline, treatment duration groups did not differ significantly for age, gender, body mass index, GHD onset, IGF-I SDS, lipid profile, and quality of life. Mean initial GH dose did not differ significantly according to treatment duration group in any subgroup, except female patients, with highest mean dose seen in the longest duration group. In the longest duration group for patients overall, adult-onset patients and male patients, there were significant decreases in GH dose from baseline to last visit, and in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations. IGF-I SDS increased, to a greater extent, in the longest duration group for patients overall and female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that long-term GH treatment is associated with decreasing GH dose, increased IGF-I, decreased LDL-cholesterol and the presence of surrogate markers that help to give confidence in a diagnosis of GHD.

Long-term safety and efficacy of Omnitrope® in adults with growth hormone deficiency: Italian interim analysis of the PATRO Adults study.

PURPOSE: To report the long-term effectiveness and safety of the recombinant human growth hormone Omnitrope®, a somatropin biosimilar to Genotropin®, in Italian patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) enrolled in the PATRO Adults study. METHODS: The PATRO Adults study is an ongoing observational, longitudinal, non-interventional global post-marketing surveillance study, conducted in several European countries. The primary endpoint is long-term safety; secondary endpoints include the effectiveness of Omnitrope®, which was assessed using serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, body composition, bone mineral density and lipid levels. Here we report the data from the Italian patients enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (mean age 50.4 years, 61.2% male) have been enrolled and have received a mean 45.4 ± 24.3 months of Omnitrope®. A total of 55.2% of patients were reported to have experienced adverse events (AEs), including arthralgia, myalgia, abdominal distension and hypoaesthesia, and 4.5% had adverse drug reactions. Fourteen serious AEs have been recorded; none of these are considered related to the study drug. The effectiveness of Omnitrope® was similar to other available somatropin preparations. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the effectiveness and safety of Omnitrope® in adult patients with GHD in Italy. However, due to the limited size of the study population, these results need to be further confirmed by the global PATRO Adults study.

Lipid abnormalities in patients with adrenal incidentalomas: role of subclinical hypercortisolism and impaired glucose metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) has been associated with metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia. Scarce data are available regarding the lipid pattern abnormalities in SH, in relation to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism (IGM). We aimed to evaluate the possible influence of SH on lipid pattern in relation to the presence/absence of impaired glucose metabolism. METHODS: In 338 patients with adrenal incidentaloma, the presence of SH, hypertension, dyslipidemia and IGM was evaluated. According to the presence of SH and IGM the patients were divided into 4 groups (IGM+SH+, IGM+SH-, IGM-SH+, IGM-SH-). We recruited 98 subjects without IGM (IGM-) and 100 with IGM (IGM+) as control groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was comparable among Group IGM+SH+, Group IGM+SH- and IGM+ controls (57.9, 58.4, 56%, P = NS). No difference in dyslipidemia prevalence among IGM- patients and IGM- controls was observed. The IGM+SH+ patients had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (57.9%) than IGM-SH+ ones (29.1%, P < 0.01). The IGM+SH- patients showed an increased prevalence of hypertension (76.6 vs 54.8%, P < 0.01) and dyslipidemia (58.4 vs 23.8%, P < 0.0001) as compared with IGM-SH- patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that only IGM was associated to dyslipidemia (OR 4.31, 95% CI 2.61-7.12, P = 0.0001) regardless of age, SH and gender. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of alterations of glucose metabolism the presence of a subtle cortisol excess has no effect on lipid pattern. IGM seems to influence the lipid metabolism regardless of the presence of SH.

Analysis of short- and long-term metabolic effects of growth hormone replacement therapy in adult patients with craniopharyngioma and non-functioning pituitary adenoma.

PURPOSE: Adult patients operated for craniopharyngioma develop more frequently GH deficiency (GHD) than patients operated for non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA). The aim of the study was to compare both short- (1 year) and long-term (5 years) effects of rhGH in 38 GHD adult patients (19 operated for Craniopharyngioma (CP) and 19 for NFPA). METHODS: IGF-I levels, body composition (BF%), BMI, lipid profile and glucose homeostasis were evaluated in all patients. Pituitary MRI was performed at baseline and during follow-up, as needed. RESULTS: At baseline no difference between the two groups was observed, apart from a higher prevalence of diabetes insipidus in CP patients (79 vs 21%). After 12 months, IGF-I SDS normalized and BF% significantly decreased only in the NFPA group. During long-term treatment, decrease in BF% and improvement in lipid profile shown by reduction in total- and LDL-cholesterol were present in NFPA group only, while increase in insulin levels and HbA1c and decrease of QUICKI were observed in CP patients only. Accordingly, after long-term therapy, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was significantly higher in CP than in NFPA group (37% in CP and in 5% in NFPA group; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that CP patients are less sensitive to the positive rhGH effects on lipid profile and BF% and more prone to insulin sensitivity worsening than NFPA patients, resulting in increased prevalence of MS in CP only.

Rare diseases in clinical endocrinology: a taxonomic classification system.

PURPOSE: Rare endocrine-metabolic diseases (REMD) represent an important area in the field of medicine and pharmacology. The rare diseases of interest to endocrinologists involve all fields of endocrinology, including rare diseases of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, paraganglia, ovary and testis, disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, energy and lipid metabolism, water metabolism, and syndromes with possible involvement of multiple endocrine glands, and neuroendocrine tumors. Taking advantage of the constitution of a study group on REMD within the Italian Society of Endocrinology, consisting of basic and clinical scientists, a document on the taxonomy of REMD has been produced. METHODS AND RESULTS: This document has been designed to include mainly REMD manifesting or persisting into adulthood. The taxonomy of REMD of the adult comprises a total of 166 main disorders, 338 including all variants and subtypes, described into 11 tables. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides a complete taxonomy to classify REMD of the adult. In the future, the creation of registries of rare endocrine diseases to collect data on cohorts of patients and the development of common and standardized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for each rare endocrine disease is advisable. This will help planning and performing intervention studies in larger groups of patients to prove the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of a specific treatment.

Factors associated with bisphosphonate treatment failure in postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: Among 97 postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis, adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and good compliance to a 36-month bisphosphonate treatment, the 25.8% of patients are inadequate responders. Current smoking and a bone turnover in the upper part of the normal range increase the risk of treatment failure. INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the prevalence of the bisphosphonate treatment failure and its possible associated factors in women with primary osteoporosis (PO). METHODS: We studied 97 previously untreated postmenopausal women with PO and fragility fractures and/or a FRAX® 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture ≥ 7.5%, before and after a 36-month treatment with alendronate or risedronate and adequate vitamin D supplementation with good compliance. At baseline and after 36 months, lumbar spine (LS) and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry and vertebral fractures by spinal radiographs. Spinal deformity index (SDI) was calculated. Treatment failure was defined by the presence of ≥ 2 incident fragility fractures and/or a BMD decrease greater than the least significant change. RESULTS: Bisphosphonate treatment failure was observed in 25.8% of patients. Age, body mass index, years since menopause, familiar history of hip fracture, number of falls, type of bisphosphonate used, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHVitD), BMD, SDI, and FRAX® score at baseline were not different between responders and inadequate responders. Treatment failure was associated with current smoking (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.10-9.50, P = 0.034) and baseline alkaline phosphatase total activity levels ≥ 66.5 U/L (OR 4.22, 95% CI 1.48-12.01, P = 0.007), regardless of age, number of falls, LS BMD, and baseline SDI. CONCLUSIONS: The 25.8 % of PO postmenopausal women inadequately responds to bisphosphonates, despite a good compliance to therapy and normal 25OHVitD levels. The current smoking and bone turnover in the upper part of the normal range are associated with the inadequate response to bisphosphonates.

Epicardial fat thickness significantly decreases after short-term growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults with GH deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is characterized by increased visceral fat accumulation. Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness is a new marker of visceral adiposity. Aim of the present study was to evaluate whether epicardial fat thickness can significantly change and therefore serve as a marker of visceral fat reduction after short-term rhGH replacement therapy in patients with adult-onset GHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness was measured in 18 patients (10 M, 8 F, age 48 ± 11.8 yrs, BMI 29 ± 5.9 kg/m(2)) with adult-onset GHD, at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of rhGH therapy and in 18 healthy matched controls, at baseline. Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness, conventional anthropometric and metabolic parameters, body fat percentage and quality of life were also evaluated. Epicardial fat thickness in adult GHD patients was higher than in controls (9.8 ± 2.8 vs 8 ± 3 mm, p < 0.05). Epicardial fat thickness significantly decreased after 6-months of rhGH replacement therapy (from 9.8 ± 2.8 to 7.0 ± 2.3 mm, P < 0.01, i.e. -29% from baseline). After 12 months of rhGH replacement therapy, epicardial fat thickness showed a further significant decrease (from 7.0 ± 2.3 to 5.9 ± 3.1 mm, P < 0.01, i.e. -40% from baseline). No significant changes in BMI or waist circumference after 6 or 12 months of rhGH therapy were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness may represent a valuable and easy marker of visceral fat and visceral fat changes during rhGH replacement treatment in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.

Awareness and management of hyponatraemia: the Italian Hyponatraemia Survey.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatraemia is the most frequent electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients and has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay. There is evidence that also mild chronic hyponatraemia may have clinical consequences, such as gait disturbances, attention deficits, falls, increased risk of fractures and reduced bone mineral density. Nevertheless, this condition appears to be rather often not taken into consideration, or inappropriately managed and treated, thus negatively affecting patients' outcome. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness and management of hyponatraemia secondary to SIAD, a common cause of hyponatraemia, among Italian physicians (endocrinologists, nephrologists, internists) commonly involved as consultants. METHODS: A questionnaire, covering definition, diagnosis, management, treatment and prognosis of hyponatraemia secondary to SIAD, was developed with the support of the Italian Society of Endocrinology. RESULTS: Among the respondents (n=275), the majority was aware of the negative implications of hyponatraemia or of an inappropriate treatment. Nevertheless, the answers indicated that SIAD is still underdiagnosed and incorrectly managed in clinical practice. In particular, only 47% of respondents used the validated biochemical parameters to diagnose hyponatraemia secondary to SIAD. The survey also indicated a rather satisfactory knowledge of the therapeutic options, including the currently available vasopressin receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: One of the main findings of the survey was that the diagnostic work-up of hyponatraemia still represents a critical issue. Therefore, there is urgent need of educational programs in order to improve the management of this condition and reduce morbidity, mortality and costs.

Primary amenorrhoea and infertility due to a mutation in the beta-subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone.

We report a woman with primary amenorrhoea and infertility associated with an isolated deficiency of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but normal luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Ovulation was induced by administration of exogenous FSH and resulted in a successful pregnancy. Sequence analysis of the FSH beta-subunit gene indicated that she is homozygous for a two nucleotide frameshift deletion in the coding sequence. Her mother and son are heterozygous for this mutation. This deletion results in an alteration of amino acid codons 61-86 followed by a premature termination codon. The predicted truncated beta-subunit peptide lacks regions which are important for association with the alpha subunit and for binding to and activation of the FSH receptor. Abnormalities of FSH structure or function might be an under recognised but treatable cause of infertility.

Evidence for vitamin D deficiency and increased prevalence of fractures in autoimmune bullous skin diseases.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in autoimmune diseases and risk of fractures. No data are available on vitamin D levels and vertebral fractures in autoimmune bullous skin diseases. OBJECTIVES: To assess serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP), potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disorders. METHODS: We studied 13 consecutive inpatients with untreated active PV (six men and seven women, mean ± SD age 53·5 ± 14·3 years), 15 with BP (seven men and eight women, mean ± SD age 76·9 ± 12·4 years) and 28 age-, body mass index- and sex-matched controls. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and presence of vertebral fractures on spinal X-ray were assessed in all subjects. RESULTS: In patients with PV, 25-OHD levels were lower (mean ± SD 12 ± 4·4 ng mL(-1) ) and prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D higher (62%) than in controls (mean ± SD 22·2 ± 11·7 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·012; 23%, P = 0·0047, respectively). The prevalence of fractures was 54% and 31% in patients with PV and controls, respectively. Patients with BP showed lower 25-OHD levels (mean ± SD 9·6 ± 7·2 ng mL(-1) ) and higher prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D (73%) than controls (mean ± SD 22·6 ± 18·7 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·022; 27%, P = 0·01, respectively). The prevalence of fractures tended to be higher in patients with BP than in controls (67% vs. 33%, respectively, P = 0·068). CONCLUSIONS: The low 25-OHD levels found in PV and BP may suggest a role for this agent in their pathogenesis. The increased prevalence of fractures should be taken into consideration in patients who must be given corticosteroids.

The natural history of the hyperthyrotropinemia of children born prematurely.

OBJECTIVE: Non-autoimmune hyperthyrotropinemia has been previously reported among children born prematurely. The aim of this study was to follow up their thyroid function, volume, and structure and to investigate the relationship with growth, IGF-I, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: Seventy-two children born prematurely (33.2±2.2 weeks), 26 appropriate (AGA) and 46 small for gestational age (SGA), were evaluated at the age of 7.6±2.3 yr (time 1) and at the age of 11.4±2.3 yr (time 2). We also measured TSH, free T(3) (fT(3)), free T(4) (fT(4)), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab), thyroid ultrasound, auxological parameters, lipid profile, glucose, and insulin level. RESULTS: In the AGA group TSH was similar in both times (2.7±1.0 vs 3.0±0.9 mU/l) and above the upper normal limit in 4 (15.4%) subjects at time 1 and in 6 (23.7%) subjects at time 2 (ns). In the SGA group, TSH was similar in both times (2.8±1.2 vs 2.5±1.0 mU/l) and above the upper normal limit in 11 (23.9%) subjects at time 1 and 5 (10.8%) subjects at time 2 (ns). fT(4) and fT(3) were always normal and TPO- and TG-Ab absent. Thyroid volume increased progressively, but significantly only in the AGA group (p=0.0005). The thyroid structure was always normal and there was no influence on the growth and the biochemical profile. CONCLUSIONS: Some ex-premature babies show a mild and variable thyroid dysfunction, which does not seem to evolve toward an overt thyroid dysfunction.

Rituximab treatment in patients with active Graves' orbitopathy: effects on proinflammatory and humoral immune reactions.

In active Graves' orbitopathy (GO), proinflammatory cytokines predominate. Circulating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-receptor antibodies (TRAb) have been correlated with GO clinical activity and severity. In preliminary studies rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD 20 monoclonal antibody, has induced clinical improvement of active GO without a change in serum anti-thyroid antibodies. We have studied whether RTX in GO acts by affecting proinflammatory cytokines and thyroid and orbital-directed antibodies. Ten patients with GO were treated with RTX, administered twice intravenously (i.v.) (1000 mg) at days 1 and 15, and 20 with methylprednisolone, administered weekly i.v. (500 mg), for 16 weeks. Patients were studied before treatment, at B cell depletion and at 4, 8, 16, 20, 30 and 50 weeks. Peripheral lymphocytes, serum interleukin (sIL)-6, sIL-6r, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), TRAb and stimulating antibodies (TSAb) and autoantibodies against orbital calsequestrin, collagen XIII and flavoprotein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (FP-SDH) were measured at baseline and after treatment. Serum IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations did not change after RTX [P = not significant (n.s.)]. Serum CXCL10 increased after RTX at B cell depletion and at 30 weeks (P < 0·003). Serum TSAb did not change in relation to TRAb, nor did antibodies against orbital antigens (P = n.s.). In conclusion, this study shows that RTX in GO does not affect humoral reactions. The observed increase of serum CXCL10 concentrations at B cell depletion may result from cell lysis. We suggest that RTX may exert its effect in GO by inhibiting B cell antigen presentation.

Subclinical hypercortisolism: correlation between biochemical diagnostic criteria and clinical aspects.

OBJECTIVE: Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) has been associated with increased prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, central obesity, osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of different SH diagnostic criteria in predicting the presence of complications. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. PATIENTS: We evaluated data from 231 patients (120 women and 111 men) affected with adrenal incidentalomas (AI). MEASUREMENTS: We studied the accuracy of different SH diagnostic criteria (cortisol after 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test - 1mg-DST - at different cut-off such as 49.7, 82.8, 137.9 nmol/l, elevated urinary free cortisol, reduced adrenal corticotroph hormone (ACTH) levels alone or various combination of these parameters) in predicting the concomitant presence of the following three complications: hypertension, type 2 diabetes and vertebral fractures. RESULTS: The criterion characterized by the presence of two of 1mg-DST >82.8 nmol/l, elevated UFC and reduced ACTH struck the best balance between sensitivity and specificity, reaching a good accuracy in predicting the cluster of complications (61.9%; 77.1% and 75.8%, respectively). The presence of this cluster was associated with this criterion (OR 4.75, 95%CI 1.8-12.7, P = 0.002) regardless of gonadal status, body mass index (BMI) and age. CONCLUSIONS: The SH criterion characterized by the presence of two of 1mg-DST >82.8 nmol/l, elevated UFC and reduced ACTH seems the best in predicting the presence of chronic manifestations of subtle cortisol excess.

Evaluation of GH-IGF-I axis in adult patients with coeliac disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate GH/IGF-I axis and other pituitary functions in adult patients with coeliac disease. For this purpose, twenty-eight adult coeliac patients [20M, 8F:19-74 years; body mass index (BMI): 18.5-28 kg/m (2)] were recruited. Basal thyroid, adrenal and gonadal function, serum IGF-I and PRL, and routine parameters were evaluated. Dynamic GH secretion was carried out by GHRH plus arginine test. In 20 patients, antipituitary antibodies (APA) were also evaluated. Seven out of 28 patients, independently from disease onset and the gluten-free diet (GFD), showed an impaired GH secretion (25%). All were males, 2 with severe growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and 5 with partial GHD. In patients with GHD, as compared to coeliac patients with normal GH secretion, HOMA (2.1+/-1.2 vs. 0.9+/-0.4) and QUICKI (0.35+/-0.03 vs. 0.39+/-0.02) levels were significantly higher and lower, respectively, while IGF-I levels were slightly lower (17.7+/-3.7 vs. 24.7+/-6.3, p=NS). APA were negative in all 20 patients studied. In conclusion, a significant number of adult coeliac patients show an impaired GH secretion, this alteration being predominant in males and independent from disease onset and diet regimen. Given the absence of APAs, the cause of this pituitary dysfunction remains unclear even if a previous autoimmune involvement in some cases cannot be excluded.

Acromegaly secondary to an incidentally discovered growth-hormone-releasing hormone secreting bronchial carcinoid tumour associated to a pituitary incidentaloma.

In this report we emphasize the opportunity of considering the uncommon causes of chronic GH-excess in the initial diagnostic process, such as GHRH hypersecretion, especially in the presence of ambiguous pituitary neuroimaging. This topic may have an important clinical significance in order to plan the most cost-effective diagnostic procedures and management and to avoid unnecessary pituitary neurosurgery.

High prevalence of simple kidney cysts in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

PTH has been demonstrated to promote renal epithelial cell proliferation and cysts development. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of kidney cysts in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The prevalence of renal cysts diagnosed at abdominal ultrasound examinations in 172 PHPT patients (59.4+/-15.1 yr, mean age+/-SD; female/male 2.8) with preserved renal function was compared with that observed in 210 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All patients underwent clinical, serum, and urine evaluations, and bone mineralization assessment by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Simple kidney cysts occurred with a higher prevalence in both male and female PHPT patients in comparison with healthy controls (34.9% vs 16.2% p<0.001). Kidney cysts were absent in patients younger than 39 yr, whereas they were present in one third of PHPT patients in their 4th, 5th, and 6th decades, increasing up to 45% after the age of 70. Multiple renal cysts were larger and more frequent than single cysts. PHPT patients with renal cysts were affected by a more active PTH secretion than patients without renal cysts as indicated by significant higher hypercalcemia and lower tubular maximal phosphate (TmP) reabsorption, while renal function, the occurrence of kidney stones, and osteoporosis were similar in both groups. Reduced TmP values were associated with about 3-fold increase in the risk of kidney cysts. In conclusion, simple renal cysts might be considered as a benign kidney complication of PHPT and might be related to the action of the chronic elevated PTH levels on tubular epithelial cells.

Metabolic parameters after BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon placement in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) is a non-invasive, temporary and relatively safe procedure shown to be effective in the short-term treatment of obesity. Nowadays, BIB does not show convincing evidence of significant long-term weight loss, as compared with conventional management, and data regarding changes in metabolic and nutritional parameters are lacking. METHODS: Forty obese patients [11 males, 29 females, age 36.65+/-10.6 yr, body mass index (BMI) 44.9+/-8.9 kg/m2] were evaluated before and 3 and 6 months after BIB placement by assessment of anthropometric and biochemical parameters as well as nutritional habits. RESULTS: Patients showed a significant reduction in weight (-13.2+/-6.5%), BMI (-13.2%), waist circumference (-6.5 cm), and percentage of fat mass (-19.5%), but not fat-free mass. A significant improvement in insulin sensitivity but not in lipid pattern was seen. After BIB insertion, a significant reduction in caloric intake was paralleled by a redistribution of nutrients; in particular, increased lipid (12.8%) and decreased carbohydrate (-11.7%) percentage, but not absolute intake was observed. CONCLUSION: These data show that BIB improves anthropometric parameters, with reduction of fat mass and preservation of fat-free mass, as well as insulin resistance, but not other metabolic features. The observed change in dietary habits, with a relative increase in lipid intake, once BIB is removed, might favor body weight regain and impact negatively on body weight composition and the other traits of the metabolic syndrome.