Impact of a clinical pathway on cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical pathways (CPs) are interventions that target the way clinical practice guidelines are applied. They can be implemented in different diseases, including diabetes. In this study we evaluated the impact of the implementation of a CP in the control of cardiovascular risk factors and the occurrence of new events in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A pre- and post-intervention population-based study in a Spanish region, conducted in 2014-2016. Variables before and after the intervention were: screening; good control of diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension; hypoglycemia and hyperglycemic decompensation; obesity; cardiovascular events; diabetic ketoacidosis; hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic coma. Proportional differences and parameters of clinical relevance (absolute and relative risk reduction, relative risk and number needed to treat) were calculated. RESULTS: The CP achieved an improvement in all outcomes, reducing events and increasing control of different cardiovascular parameters. The greatest improvement was in metabolic control (HbA1c) (37.1% in younger patients and 34.0% in older patients) and screening (5.4%). Indicators of clinical relevance showed that the CP was able to improve metabolic control of diabetes with little effort and great benefit. CONCLUSION: The CP was of considerable benefit to metabolic control as well as control of dyslipidemia and obesity. Screening for diabetes also benefitted. The CP decreased the incidence of events, especially of angina pectoris.

[Hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction among HIV-infected men]. / Hipogonadismo, disfunción eréctil y disfunción endotelial en varones con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

HIV-associated hypogonadism is known to be a prevalent endocrine disorder, with a multifactorial etiology. Low testosterone levels are associated with decreased muscle mass, exercise capacity loss, erectile dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression and decreased quality of life. In the same way, hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is associated with decreased muscle mass quantity and function, changes in corporal fat mass distribution and quantity, secretion of adipocytokines and endothelial dysfunction. This combined effect renders the entire body less sensitive to insulin, promoting development of atherosclerosis and glucose metabolism disorders. The clinical presentation is non-specific and hypogonadism screening scales are not useful in this population. Diagnostic procedures must include determination of free testosterone (FTc) in any HIV-infected men at the time of first HIV diagnosis and periodically, because of the clinical implications and the absence of specific predictive disease factors. Substitutive hormonal treatment must be offered only for HIV-infected men with FTc under reference levels and when reversible causes have been ruled out. Metabolic impact of hypogonadism suggests the incorporation of low testosterone levels to the list of cardiovascular risk factor in HIV-infected men.

ACROSTART: A retrospective study of the time to achieve hormonal control with lanreotide Autogel treatment in Spanish patients with acromegaly.

OBJECTIVES: The ACROSTART study was intended to determine the time to achieve normalization of GH and IGF-I levels in responding patients with acromegaly administered different dosage regimens of lanreotide Autogel (Somatuline® Autogel®). METHODS: From March 2013 to October 2013, clinical data from 57 patients from 17 Spanish hospitals with active acromegaly treated with lanreotide for ≥4 months who achieved hormonal control (GH levels <2.5ng/ml and/or normalized IGF-I levels in ≥2 measurements) were analyzed. The primary objective was to determine the time from start of lanreotide treatment to hormonal normalization. RESULTS: Median patient age was 64 years, 21 patients were male, 39 patients had undergone surgery, and 14 patients had received radiotherapy. Median hormonal values at start of lanreotide treatment were: GH, 2.6ng/ml; IGF-I, 1.6×ULN. The most common starting dose of lanreotide was 120mg (29 patients). The main initial regimens were 60mg/4 weeks (n=13), 90mg/4 weeks (n=6), 120mg/4 weeks (n=13), 120mg/6 weeks (n=6), and 120mg/8 weeks (n=9). An initial treatment regimen with a long interval (≥6 weeks) was administered in 25 patients. Mean duration of lanreotide treatment was 68 months (7-205). Median time to achieve hormonal control was 4.9 months. Injections were managed without healthcare assistance in 13 patients. Median number of visits to endocrinologists until hormonal control was achieved was 3. Fifty-one patients were "satisfied"/"very satisfied" with treatment and 49 patients did not miss any dose. CONCLUSIONS: Real-life treatment with lanreotide Autogel resulted in early hormonal control in responding patients, with high treatment adherence and satisfaction despite disparity in starting doses and dosing intervals.

Primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid carcinoma associated with pulmonary embolism.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an uncommon disease affecting 0.5-5% of all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. PC is characterized by the association of severe symptoms of hypercalcemia, high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and a palpable neck mass. Definitive diagnosis can only be made by histological study after surgery. We report the case of a 77-year-old man admitted to our hospital due to pulmonary embolism and hypercalcemia. The patient was initially diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, but displayed the atypical clinical features described above. Due to clinical suspicion of PC, a surgical procedure was carried out. Diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma was confirmed by histopathologic study.