Clinical guide for the diagnosis and follow-up of myotonic dystrophy type 1, MD1 or Steinert's disease. / Guía clínica para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la distrofia miotónica tipo 1, DM1 o enfermedad de Steinert.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Steinert's disease or myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1), (OMIM 160900), is the most prevalent myopathy in adults. It is a multisystemic disorder with dysfunction of virtually all organs and tissues and a great phenotypical variability, which implies that it has to be addressed by different specialities with experience in the disease. The knowledge of the disease and its management has changed dramatically in recent years. This guide tries to establish recommendations for the diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up and treatment of the complications of MD1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consensus guide developed through a multidisciplinary approach with a systematic literature review. Neurologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, neuropaediatricians and geneticists have participated in the guide. RECOMMENDATIONS: The genetic diagnosis should quantify the number of CTG repetitions. MD1 patients need cardiac and respiratory lifetime follow-up. Before any surgery under general anaesthesia, a respiratory evaluation must be done. Dysphagia must be screened periodically. Genetic counselling must be offered to patients and relatives. CONCLUSION: MD1 is a multisystemic disease that requires specialised multidisciplinary follow-up.

Bone mineral density in male patients with L-thyroxine suppressive therapy and Graves disease.

Little is known about the effects of thyroid hormone excess in male patients. Our aim was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and thyroid function in male patients with treated thyroid cancer on long-term suppressive L-T4 therapy (TC) and in male patients with Graves' disease (GD). We studied 49 male patients (aged 45+/-12 years), 17 with TC (29-288 months on L-T4 suppressive therapy; free T4: 1.9+/-0.6 ng/dl [normal< or =2.0]; TSH: 0.2+/-0.3 microU/ml [Normal 0.5-5.0]) and 32 with recent onset GD (<12 weeks, free T4: 2.0+/-1.4 ng/dl; TSH: 1.07+/-1.8 microU/ml; TSHRAb 53+/-45% [normal < 15]). BMD was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic QDR1000w) at the lumbar spine (L2-L4, LS), femoral neck (FN), and Ward's triangle (WT). Results were expressed as Z-score (SD compared to national controls). Total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (BGP), iPTH, serum phosphorus, serum, and 24 h urine calcium were measured as bone markers. Age, weight, and body mass index were comparable in both groups. Patients with TC and with GD showed reduced axial BMD (95% confidence interval: LS: TC (-1.27-0.01)(P = 0.046), GD (-1.06 to-0.38)(P < 0.001); FN: TC (-0.82 to-0.16)(P = 0.007), GD (-0.95 to-0.15)(P = 0.008); WT: TC (-0.82 to -0.18)(P = 0.004), GD (-0.97 to -0.08)(P = 0.024). No significant differences in BMD were found between the groups. Among bone markers, total ALP and osteocalcin levels showed higher levels in Graves' disease (ALP: 139+/-76 vs. 88+/-34, P < 0.01; BGP: 7.5+/-3.7 vs. 4.6+/-1.6; P < 0.001). Our data suggest a mild deleterious effect of thyroid hormone excess in the axial bone mass from male subjects. A skeletal status assessed by BMD in male patients with chronic TSH suppression by L-T4 or history of hyperthyroidism is recommended.

Factors associated with microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

In order to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM) and identify factors associated with microalbuminuria, we studied 312 Type 1 DM patients attending in three hospitals in two Spanish regions over 6 months. Clinical characteristics, micro- and macro-vascular complications, blood pressure, 24-h urine albumin excretion, lipid profile, HbA1(c) levels, smoking habits, and family history of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy were recorded. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to examine associations between these variables and the prevalence of microalbuminuria. We detected microalbuminuria in 29% of the patients. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was high during the second decade of diabetes and declined thereafter. Univariate analysis showed dyslipidaemia (P<0. 002), previously diagnosed hypertension (P<0.001), family history of hypertension (sibling alone P<0.006; mother alone P<0.05), family history of diabetic nephropathy (P<0.001), and laser-treated retinopathy (P<0.03) to be factors associated with the presence of microalbuminuria. Multiple logistic regression revealed an association between microalbuminuria and family history of nephropathy (OR 7.6, 3.6-16). In conclusion, in our sample the frequency of microalbuminuria seems to be related to the presence of dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and to a family history of hypertension or nephropathy.