The prevalence and associated risk factors of detectable renal morphological abnormalities in acromegaly.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of simple renal cysts (SRCs) and kidney stone disease (KSD) together with laboratory data in patients with acromegaly through comparisons with healthy subjects, and to examine the possible risk factors associated with these abnormalities in acromegaly. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study included 125 acromegaly patients (46.4 ± 11.6 years, 68 females/57 males) and 114 age-sex matched healthy individuals (45.3 ± 12.4 years, 59 females/55 males). Demographic data, clinical history, biochemical and abdominal/urinary system ultrasonographic data of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The SRC prevalence (28.8% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001) and the longitudinal and transverse lengths of kidneys (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly compared to the control group. The presence of acromegaly was determined to increase the risk of SRC formation 12.8-fold. The prevalence of KSD was similar in both the patient and control groups (15.2% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.08). Patients with acromegaly with renal cysts (n = 36) compared to the group without cysts (n = 89) were older, had a higher male gender frequency, a longer pre-diagnosis symptom duration, and a higher incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus at the time of diagnosis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only advanced age and male gender were associated risk factors for SRCs in acromegaly patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that acromegaly disease significantly increased the prevalence of SRCs and kidney length compared to the age-sex matched healthy population, while the prevalence of KSD was similar. Advanced age and male gender were seen to be independent risk factors for SRC formation in patients with acromegaly.

Impact of 24-week dapagliflozin treatment on body weight, body composition, and cardiac risk indicators of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Background/aim: To reveal the impacts of dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i), on body weight and body composition, cardiovascular risk indices, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Materials and methods: The data of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who applied to Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders between September 2019 and 2020, and had started dapagliflozin treatment along with their current medications were recorded retrospectively. Body weights, body compositions measured through bioelectrical impedance, and CIMT with T2DM receiving SGLT-2i treatment and medication were measured at weeks 1, 12, and 24 of 42. The visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were used to determine the lipid measurements and anthropometric values. Results: The mean change in the total body weight and total fat mass was -2.96 and -1.97 kg, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a reduction in total fat mass of 1.23 kg (from 31.4 to 29.3 kg, p < 0.001) and in body fat percentage of 2.5% (from 35.8% to 34.4%, p < 0.001) in the first 12 weeks. A mild increase was observed in both the total fat mass and body fat percentage between weeks 12 and 24, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.783 and p = 0.925, respectively), whereas there was a statistically significant reduction in high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), AIP, and CIMT values (p = 0.006, p = 0.035, and p = 0.007, respectively). No changes were observed in the VAI and LAP values (p = 0.985 and p = 0.636, respectively). Conclusion: It was observed that dapagliflozin not only contributes to weight and fat loss but also has positive impacts on cardiovascular and atherosclerotic indicators.

The role of elastography in the assessment of thyroid nodules in acromegaly.

BACKGROUND: Nodular thyroid disease is a frequent finding seen in patients with acromegaly. Ultrasound-elastography (US-E) appears to be a helpful tool for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate thyroid nodules in acromegaly and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of US-E in detecting thyroid cancer in this population. METHODS: US-E was applied to 166 nodules detected in 102 acromegalic patients and to 105 nodules found in 95 nonacromegalic subjects. The lesions were classified according to the elasticity scores (ES) as soft (ES 1-2) or hard (ES 3-4). RESULTS: : Mean age was 55.1 ± 12.47 years [59 (58%) women]. The prevalence of hard nodules (ES 3 and 4) was significantly higher in the group of acromegalic patients than in control subjects (48% to 20%, p < 0.001). Mean ES was higher in patients with acromegaly (2.45 to 2.22, p: 0.001), however, the mean strain index (SI) was similar between groups (1.53 to 1.65, p: 0.204). DISCUSSION: Thyroid nodules in acromegaly patients have a higher elasto score and the prevalence of hard nodules is higher in active disease. However, increased stiffness of nodules by US-E in patients with acromegaly does not seem to estimate the malignancy of the nodules.

Relapsed and newly diagnosed Graves' disease due to immunization against COVID-19: A case series and review of the literature.

In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors such as viruses are thought to be triggers in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) such as Graves' disease (GD). In this context, AITD cases that may be associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or immunization have begun to be reported in increasing numbers. Although it is not clear by which pathogenetic mechanisms immunization against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggers the development of AITD, both the potential effect of the adjuvants in the vaccines and the cross-reactivity that can be generated by the molecular similarity of viral particles with mammalian proteins seem to be possible mechanisms. In this article, 7 GD patients consisting of relapsed and newly diagnosed cases following the COVID-19 vaccination were presented. Of these 7 cases, 5 (71.4%) were female, and the median age of the patients was 47 years (range, 31-53). One of the patients was associated with the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, while the others were associated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The median post-vaccination symptom onset was 7 days (range, 4-30). Three of the patients had a history of GD and one had a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Rapidly developing Graves' ophthalmopathy was detected in one patient. These cases are cautionary that GD and its extrathyroidal manifestations may develop in a short period after COVID-19 vaccination. When considered together with the literature review, the history of AITD in approximately half of the patients suggests that more attention should be paid to these patients in the post-vaccination period. Nevertheless, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to better understand this possible causal relationship.

The predictive value of hematologic parameters in the risk of thyroid malignancy in cases with atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance.

BACKGROUND: Atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is still the most challenging category in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) in predicting malignancy in cases with AUS/FLUS nodules. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with AUS/FLUS nodules who underwent thyroidectomy were included in this study. Preoperative hemogram parameters, ultrasonographic findings, fine-needle aspiration results, and postoperative final histopathological diagnoses of the patients were recorded retrospectively. RESULTS: Thyroid malignancies were detected in 122 of the patients (61.0%). Patients in the benign group (BG) were older than those in the malignancy group (MG) (52.0 ± 11.3 vs. 45.9 ± 12.3 years, p < 0.001). The median TSH values of the two groups were comparable. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the two groups in respect of mean WBC of 7.53 ± 1.44 in MG and 6.87 ± 1.35 (103/mm3) in BG, mean neutrophil of 4.65 ± 1.12 in MG and 3.95 ± 0.99 (103/mm3) in BG, and median NLR of 2.18 (0.71-4.57) in MG and 1.75 (0.80-3.42) in BG (p < 0.001). The median PLR and MPV values of the two groups were similar. When NLR cut-off point was designated as 2.24, the accuracy of NLR in distinguishing malignancy from the benign condition was 0.65 in ROC analysis (area under the curve, 0.665; specificity, 0.808; sensitivity, 0.492). CONCLUSION: High NLR values may provide limited help in predicting thyroid malignancy in the AUS/FLUS nodule population, while PLR and MPV are not reliable parameters.

The Evaluation of Low- and High-Dose Steroid Treatments in Subacute Thyroiditis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal steroid regimen in the treatment of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is controversial. This study aims to compare low- and high-dose steroid regimens in the treatment of SAT. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective observational cohort study with up to 1 year of follow-up was conducted. A total of 44 patients in the 16-mg methylprednisolone (MPS) group and 47 patients in the 48-mg MPS group were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory findings from the time of diagnosis to 1-year of the follow-up were assessed. Treatment response, recurrence, and hypothyroidism (HPT) rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms, sedimentation rates, C-reactive protein, and thyroid hormone levels of the patients were similar in the 2 groups. Recovery was achieved in all patients at the end of the treatments; however, treatment duration needed to be extended for 6 (13.6%) and 1 (2.1%) of the patients in the 16-mg and 48-mg MPS groups, respectively. The 48-mg MPS group had a higher SAT recurrence rate than the 16-mg MPS group (P = .04). Logistic regression analysis suggested that a lower thyroid-stimulating hormone level at the end of the treatment was a predictor of recurrence (ß = -0.544, P = .014, 95% CI: 0.376-0.895). While the transient HPT rate was 10 (21.3%) and 10 (22.7%) in the 48-mg and 16-mg MPS groups, respectively, a permanent HPT developed in 5 (10.6%) of patients in the 48-mg MPS and 3 (6.8%) in the 16-mg MPS group. The permanent and transient HPT rates were determined to be similar in the low- and high-dose groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Low-dose steroid therapy may be sufficient to achieve a complete recovery and better outcomes in SAT.

THE PREVALENCE OF CANCER AND ITS RELATION TO DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY: TWO CENTERS' EXPERIENCE.

OBJECTIVE: Acromegaly is characterized by increased serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Although animal studies have demonstrated a relationship between these hormones and cancer risk, the results of human studies evaluating cancer prevalence in acromegaly are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of malignant neoplasms in patients with acromegaly. METHODS: Cancer risk was evaluated in a cohort of 280 patients (male/female: 120/160; mean age: 50.93 ± 12.07 years) with acromegaly. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of cancer. Standard incidence ratios were calculated as compared to the general population. RESULTS: From 280 patients, cancer was diagnosed in 19 (6.8%) patients; 9 (47%) of them had thyroid cancer, which was the most common cancer type. Standard incidence ratios of all cancers were 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5-1.1) and 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.3) in men and women, respectively. Compared to patients without cancer, the current age was higher in patients with cancer (59 [49-65] to 51 [42-59], P = .027). In contrast, the age at diagnosis was similar in both groups. Not only was the time to diagnosis and disease duration similar in both groups but also the basal and current GH and IGF-1 levels. The prevalence of active disease was also similar between the groups (32% to 23%, P = .394). CONCLUSION: Our findings were not consistent with the studies suggesting that patients with acromegaly encounter an increased cancer risk. Furthermore, there were similar basal and current GH and IGF-1 levels in patients with acromegaly, both with and without cancer.

Residual Pyramidal Lobe Increases Stimulated Thyroglobulin and Decreases Endogenous Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Stimulation in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of pyramidal lobe remnants after total thyroidectomy (TT) and the effect on stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg). METHODS: The study included 1740 differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients who were followed up by our center. The department database was searched to identify DTC patients with residual pyramidal lobe after TT. All postoperative technetium-99m pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy images were re-evaluated for pyramidal lobe residue. Serum stimulated Tg and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels measured within the first 6 months after TT were retrieved from the database. RESULTS: Pyramidal lobe residue was detected in 10.4% of the patients who underwent TT. Evidence of the pyramidal lobe was present on preoperative ultrasonography in 1.6% of the patients with residual pyramidal lobe. Stimulated Tg in patients with pyramidal lobe residue was significantly higher than that in patients without residue (P = .01). Endogenous stimulated TSH in patients with residual pyramidal lobe was significantly lower than that in patients without residue (P = .036). In 5.7% of patients with pyramidal lobe residue, a TSH level of >30 mIU/L was not achieved, which was a significantly higher rate than that in patients without pyramidal lobe residue (P = .034) and is the level required for maximum radioiodine uptake. CONCLUSION: Pyramidal lobe residue was found in almost 10% of DTC patients. The pyramidal lobe is often missed on preoperative ultrasonography. Residual pyramidal lobe increased stimulated Tg and decreased endogenous stimulated TSH. Residual pyramidal lobe may complicate the follow-up of DTC patients.

Assessment of diagnostic value of preoperative elastography in thyroid nodules having indeterminate cytology results

Background/aim: The management of nodules with indeterminate cytology [atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS), follicular neoplasm (FN), suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN), and suspicious for malignancy (SM)] results is controversial. To assess the role of the elastography technique in the diagnosis of malignancy in the subtypes of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: We included 132 patients with indeterminate cytology who underwent thyroid surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve, and optimal cut-off points were calculated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for elastography score (ES) and strain index (SI). Results: Malignancy was observed in 27/95 (28.4%) of the AUS-FLUS cytology and 12/24 (50%) of FN, SFN cytology. All of the 13 patients (100 %) with SM are found to be malignant on histology. In the FLUS group, nodules with ES greater or equal to 3, the presence of malignancy was higher 17/41 (41.5%) when compared with nodules with ES smaller than 39/46 (19.6 %) (p = 0.023). In the SFN group, 2 of 2 nodules with an ES score of 4 and 1 of 1 nodule with an ES score of 5 were malignant. In the FLUS group, 4 of 10 nodules with an ES score of 4 and 2 of 2 nodules with an ES score of 5 were malignant. Conclusion: Thyroid elastography may reduce unnecessary surgery for both patients with AUS/FLUS and selected SFN cytology. Elastography appears to be helpful in follicular variants and other types of papillary thyroid cancer, however, not in follicular thyroid cancer.

The evaluation of breast findings detected through different visualisation techniques in acromegaly patients ­ a retrospective study

Background/aim: It is known that the increased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have mitogenic and antiapoptotic properties in breast cells in acromegaly. Our study aims to evaluate breast findings in patients with acromegaly by comparing them to the control group. Materials and methods: Sixty-one patients followed with acromegaly diagnosis and 180 healthy controls were included in our study. Demographic data, laboratory results, Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scores, and breast density evaluated via mammography, malign and benign breast lesions evaluated via mammography, breast ultrasonography (USG), and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients were compared to the control group. Results: While BI-RADS scores were similar in patient and control groups, breast density in acromegaly patients was found out to be higher compared to the control group (p = 0.754, p = 0.001, respectively). In acromegaly patients, the breast calcification rate was higher than controls (p = 0.021). t was observed that mass frequency in USG in acromegaly patients increased when GH level increased as well (p = 0.021). No difference was detected between benign and malign breast lesions diagnosed histopathologically ( p = 0.031, p = 0.573, respectively). There was not any difference in terms of BI-RADS scores, breast types, and breast lesions in acromegaly patients that were in remission and not in remission (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Benign and malign breast lesions were found out to be similar to the control group, although breast density rate was detected to be higher in acromegaly patients. A regular follow-up is required in these patients via suitable breast visualization techniques considering their age and clinical status due to mass formation risk derived from increased GH level and extreme breast density despite the absence of any detected breast lesion frequency in acromegaly patients.

HNF1A gene p.I27L is associated with co-existing preeclampsia in gestational diabetes mellitus.

The association of the FTO gene and HNF1α gene on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia remains unclear. This is the first study to examine whether HNF1α gene and FTO gene were associated with having GDM and preeclampsia in Turkish women. Healthy pregnant women (n = 101) and women with GDM (n = 169) were included. GDM was divided into two groups as GDM-only (n = 90) and GDM-preeclampsia (n = 79). Genotyping of HNF1α gene p.I27L, p.A98V, and p.S487N, and FTO gene rs9939609 SNPs were performed using RT-PCR. The frequency of p.S487N, p.A98V, and FTO genotype were similar between the groups (p > .05). p.I27L GG-wild, GT, and TT genotype were 56.5%, 36.6%, and 6.9% in controls; 40.0%, 51.1%, and 8.9% in GDM-only; and 26.6%, 51.9%, and 21.5% in GDM-preeclampsia (p = .034). TT and GT genotype was more frequent in GDM-preeclampsia than in controls (p < .05). GT genotype was increased in GDM-only compared with controls (p < .05). TT genotype was more frequent in GDM-preeclampsia than in GDM-only (p < .05). p.I27L TT genotype was independently associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and urinary protein. p.I27L TT genotype was associated with increased preeclampsia risk in patients with GDM by increasing BP and urinary protein.

Clinical evaluation of pituitary insufficiency in adult population

Background/aim: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical profile of pituitary insufficiency (PI) in adult population. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty patients who were diagnosed as having PI between 2012 and 2018 (53.3% female, mean age 48.13 ± 15.83 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Age at diagnosis was higher in females as compared with males (51.13 ± 15.95 vs. 44.70 ± 15.08 years, P = 0.012). The most frequent presenting signs were headache (29.4%) and visual disturbance (19.6%) in general. Females frequently presented with headache (33.3%), whereas males presented with sexual dysfunction (34.4%). The most frequent cause of PI was nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (28.8%) in general population. A frequent cause of PI was Sheehan's syndrome (33.8%) among females and nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (38.6%) among males. Pituitary macroadenoma (75.8%) was frequent in pituitary tumors with PI. 55.3 % of the patients had 4 pituitary hormones deficiencies and 26.0% of patients had 3 pituitary hormones deficiencies. Gonadotropin deficiency was the leading pituitary hormone deficiency. The frequency of posttraumatic PI was 4.7% in the general population. Conclusion: Nonfunctional pituitary adenoma was the most common cause of PI among males and Sheehan's syndrome was a major etiologic factor in females. Sheehan's syndrome remains an important health problem in Turkey although obstetric care has improved. Posttraumatic PI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic PI.

Lobectomy may not be suitable for patients with follicular neoplasm cytology

Background/aim: The most appropriate surgical management of follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN) lesions is still contradictory. We aimed to evaluate the data of our patients with follicular neoplasm treated with thyroidectomy. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 74 patients who were diagnosed with follicular neoplasm cytology (FN cytology) by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and had undergone total thyroidectomy or lobectomy with isthmectomy (LwI). Results: We examined a total of 74 patients, of which 64 (83.7%) were female and 10 (16.3%) were male. The malignancy rate in the pathological examinations of these patients was 31/74 (41.9%). The most common cancer among the patients with malignancy was papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) (20/31, 65%). Among the subtypes of PTCs, 11 were classical PTC, 5 were a follicular variant of PTC, 2 were the oncocytic variant of PTC, 1 was the diffuse sclerosing variant, and 1 was a columnar cell variant of PTC. Conclusion: Since most FN cytology has been pathologically diagnosed with papillary cancer and some papillary cancer subtypes have been unfavorable pathologically, total thyroidectomy should be the most suitable treatment option in this group. Lobectomy with LwI is not suitable for patients with FNAB-proven FN cytology.

The VDR gene FokI polymorphism is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: The association between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been investigated in Turkish pregnant women. We aimed to investigate associations between VDR gene BsmI (rs15444410), ApaI (rs7975232), FokI (rs19735810), and TaqI (rs731236) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and GDM. MATERIAL-METHODS: This case-control study comprised 100 women with GDM and 135 pregnant women without GDM. The VDR polymorphism was evaluated using Sanger-based DNA sequencing. RESULT: VDR gene ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI SNPs did not differ between women with and without GDM (each, p > 0.05). ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI were not associated with GDM risk. The VDR gene FokI CT/TT genotype was associated with an increased GDM risk (CT vs. CC, OR = 1.84, 95% CI: [1.05-3.23], p = 0.031; TT vs. CC, OR = 3.95, 95% CI: [1.56-9.96], p = 0.002; CT/TT vs. CC, OR = 2.29, 95% CI: [1.35-3.89], p = 0.002; and CT/CC vs. TT, OR = 3.02, 95% CI: [1.23-7.38], p = 0.012). The FokI-TT genotype was more associated with younger age and higher glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR than the CC and CT genotype. FokI-T was positively correlated with log-HOMA-IR (r = 0.326, p = 0.004). FokI SNPs were independently associated with GDM after adjusting for BMI and age (ß = 1.63, 95% CI: [1. 2-4.2], p = 0.012). There were no associations between the FokI, ApaI, BsmI and TaqI haplotypes and GDM. CONCLUSION: VDR gene FokI SNPs were independently associated with having GDM in Turkish women. VDR gene FokI SNPs might contribute to insulin resistance of developing GDM.

HNF1A gene p.I27L is associated with early-onset, maturity-onset diabetes of the young-like diabetes in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The molecular basis of the Turkish population with suspected maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) has not been identified. This is the first study to investigate the association between HNF1A-gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and having early-onset, MODY-like diabetes mellitus in the Turkish population. METHODS: All diabetic patients (N = 565) who presented to our clinic between 2012 and 2015 with a clinical suspicion of MODY were included in the study. Analysis of HNF1A, HNFB, HNF4A, GCK gene mutations was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction sequencing. After genetic analysis, diabetics (n = 46) with HNF1A, HNF1B, HNF4A, GCK gene mutations (diagnosed as MODY) and diabetics (n = 30) with HNF1B, HNF4A, GCK gene SNPs were excluded. Patients with early-onset, MODY-like diabetes (n = 486) and non-diabetic controls (n = 263) were included. Genetic analyses for the HNF1A gene p.S487 N (rs2464196), p.A98V (rs1800574) and p.I27L (rs1169288) SNPs were performed using Sanger-based DNA sequencing among the control group. RESULTS: p.S487 N and p.A98V was similar between the diabetics and controls in dominant and recessive models with no association (each, p > 0.05). p.I27L GT/TT carriers (GT/TT vs. GG, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: [1. 21-2.13]; p = 0.035) and p.I27L TT carriers had increased risk of having MODY-like diabetes (GT/GG vs. TT, OR = 1.56, 95% CI: [1. 14-2.57]; p = 0.048). Family inheritance of diabetes was significantly more common in patients with the p.I27L TT genotype. The p.I27L SNP was modestly associated with having diabetes after adjusting for body mass index and age (ß = 1.45, 95% CI: [1. 2-4.2]; p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The HNF1A gene p.I27L SNP was modestly associated with having early-onset, MODY-like diabetes in the Turkish population. HNF1A gene p.I27L SNP might contribute to age at diabetes diagnosis and family inheritance.

Parathyroidectomy improves cardiovascular risk factors in normocalcemic and hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy has ameliorated cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), but the effect of parathyroidectomy on normocalcemic PHPT is not exactly known. This case-controlled study aimed to investigate the effect of parathyroidectomy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with normocalcemic and hypercalcemic PHPT. METHODS: Subjects with normocalcemic PHPT (n = 35), age- and sex-matched hypercalcemic PHPT (n = 60) and age- and sex-matched control (n = 60) were included. Cardiometabolic disorders were investigated with traditional cardiometabolic risk factors and the Framingham cardiovascular risk score (CRS) before and 6 months after parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: Diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, having fractures were similarly increased in the hypercalcemic and normocalcemic PHPT groups (p > 0.05) compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Blood pressures, glucose metabolism (glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) and lipid profiles were similarly increased in the PHPT groups (p > 0.05) compared with the controls (p < 0.05). After parathyroidectomy, blood pressures, serum total cholesterol, and HOMA-IR were decreased in both PHPT groups (p < 0.05). CRS was lower in the controls (5.74 ± 3.24, p < 0.05). After parathyroidectomy, CRS was decreased in the normocalcemic (11.98 ± 10.11 vs. 7.37 ± 4.48) and hypercalcemic (14.62 ± 11.06 vs. 8.05 ± 7.72) PHPT groups. Increased blood pressures were independent predictors of serum iPTH. CONCLUSION: The normocalcemic and hypercalcemic PHPT groups had similarly increased cardiovascular risk factors, even independently of serum calcium. Parathyroidectomy ameliorated the increased cardiovascular risk factors in both normocalcemic and hypercalcemic PHPT.

The effect of disease activity on thyroid nodules in patients with acromegaly.

Nodular thyroid disease is a very common disorder in patients with acromegaly. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a thyroid growth factor, and there is a correlation between IGF-1 levels and thyroid volume (TV) in patients with acromegaly. There is no study investigating the impact of somatostatin analog (SSA) treatment on thyroid nodule volume in patients with acromegaly. We aimed to assess thyroid nodule volume change with SSA treatment in patients with persistent acromegaly. We retrospectively analyzed data from 108 consecutive patients with acromegaly who were followed up by our clinic after undergoing surgery between 2002 and 2014. Patients who were cured after surgery were excluded. We only selected 43 patients (21 males, 22 females, mean age 52.8 ± 11.9 years) who did not meet the criteria of remission postoperatively, who were treated with SSA for at least six months and had normal thyroid function. Patients were divided into three groups (well-controlled, controlled, and active) according to their IGF-1 and growth hormone (GH) levels. All patients underwent an evaluation of TV and total thyroid nodule volume (TTNV) by ultrasound. TTNV decreased significantly in patients with well-controlled acromegaly (0.44 [0.75] to 0.23 [0.73], p < 0.001). TTNV did not change in controlled patients (0.18 [1.28] to 0.13 [1.54], p = 0.959); however TTNV increased in patients with active acromegaly (0.77 [1.46] to 1.03 [1.88], p = 0.028). Successful medical treatment of patients with active acromegaly decreases thyroid nodule volume. Sustained exposure to IGF-1 may cause an increase in thyroid nodule volume in patients with acromegaly.

Effect of parathyroidectomy on epicardial fat thickness as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Background/aim: Several studies demonstrated that primary hyperparathyroidism is related to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and risk is decreased by parathyroidectomy. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has been postulated as a new marker of CVD risk. We evaluated the impact of parathyroidectomy on EFT in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Materials and methods: Thirty-four PHPT patients (29 female, 5 male) and 28 age- and sex-matched controls (19 female, 9 male) were included in the study. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded both before parathyroidectomy and 6 months after the procedure. Epicardial fat thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: Mean age was 53.15 ± 8.44 years. Mean preoperative EFT was higher than mean EFT in the control group (0.49 ± 0.07 cm to 0.46 ± 0.08 cm, P: 0.0005), and EFT decreased after parathyroidectomy (0.49 ± 0.07 cm to 0.44 ± 0.08 cm, P: 0.0005). Systolic blood pressure and calcium, parathormone, and hsCRP levels decreased after parathyroidectomy (P < 0.05). Vitamin D levels increased (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, carotid intima-media thickness, and HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, and phosphorus levels were unchanged after parathyroidectomy (P > 0.05). Preoperatively, EFT was correlated with SBP (r: 0.360, P: 0.0285) and age (r: 0.466, P: 0.0036). Multiple linear regression used to identify independent predictors of change in epicardial fat did not find any predictor of change in epicardial fat (P > 0.05). Conclusion: EFT was decreased by parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.However, the decrease in EFT was not correlated with any of the cardiovascular risk factors. More comprehensive studies evaluating the potential relation between PHPT and EFT need to be conducted.

The effect of parathyroidectomy on bone mineral density in primary hyperparathyroidism

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the change in bone mineral density (BMD) before and 1 year after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Materials and methods: The clinical and biochemical parameters and DEXA screening of patients with symptomatic PHPT (n = 28) and asymptomatic PHPT (n = 63) were investigated before and 1 year after parathyroidectomy. Results: Patients with symptomatic PHPT had a higher prevalence of nephrolithiasis (18.2% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.032) when compared to the prevalence in patients with asymptomatic PHPT. The prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (63.0% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.026) and femoral neck (40.7% vs. 20.6%, P = 0.048) was higher in symptomatic PHPT when compared to the prevalence in asymptomatic PHPT. After parathyroidectomy, the decreases in the prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (25.8% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.014), femoral neck (22.1% vs. 8.2%, P =0.009), and total hip (22.4% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.007) were higher in symptomatic PHPT compared to the asymptomatic PHPT group. A higher BMD gain (g/cm2) was seen in the lumbar spine (10.83% vs. 4.65%, P=0.016) and femoral neck (12.61% vs. 4.37%, P=0.005) in symptomatic PHPT compared to the asymptomatic PHPT group. Conclusion: Parathyroidectomy provided more BMD gain in the lumbar spine and femoral neck in patients with symptomatic PHPT when compared to patients with asymptomatic PHPT 1 year after parathyroidectomy.

Factors associated with glomerular filtration rate variation in primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy

Background/aim: Prolonged hypercalcemia impairs renal function, and a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is typical in advanced primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). There are scarce data related to predictors of renal impairment in patients with PHPT. Hence, we aimed to evaluate changes in kidney function in PHPT patients after parathyroidectomy (PTX) and identify factors associated with GFR variation in these patients. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty-five patients with PHPT who underwent surgery between 2012 and 2014 were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to GFR values: patients whose GFR was lower than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and higher than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Demographic and laboratory parameters were compared before and 6 months after parathyroidectomy. Results: Prevalence of antihypertensive drug users and patients with renal cysts and parathormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase levels were higher in patients with GFR of ≥60 than in GFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.05). Systolic BP, uric acid, and magnesium were decreased in patients with GFR of ≥60, but GFR did not change in the two groups after parathyroidectomy. After parathyroidectomy, calcium and PTH decreased but 25(OH)D3 and phosphorus increased in the two groups. In multiple regression analysis, age, calcium, and baseline GFR were independent predictors of GFR variation. Parathyroid adenoma volume and urinary calcium were not independent predictors of GFR change. Conclusion: Olderage, higher preoperative calcium, and GFR were factors associated with GFR increase in PHPT patients after parathyroidectomy. Further renal impairment was prevented by parathyroidectomy in PHPT patients