ABSTRACT
It is well-established that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher incidence of several types of cancer. The precise mechanisms of this association are still unknown, but obesity and chronic inflammation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be the main risk factors. ROS may produce different DNA damage, which could eventually lead to cancer. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of chromosome aberrations (CA) with disease status, demographics, and clinical parameters in 33 subjects with type 1 DM (T1DM), 22 subjects with type 2 DM (T2DM), and 21 controls. CAs were analyzed in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes and subdivided into chromatid (CTA)- and chromosome (CSA)-type aberrations. Compared with controls, higher levels of CTAs and CSAs were observed in T1DM (p = 0.0053 and p = 0.0203, respectively) and T2DM (p = 0.0133 and p = 0.00002, respectively). While there was no difference in CTAs between T1DM and T2DM, CSAs were higher in T2DM (p = 0.0173). A significant positive association between CTAs and disease duration (rs = 0.2938, p = 0.0099) and between CSAs and disease duration (rs = 0.4306, p = 0.0001), age (rs = 0.3932, p = 0.0004), and body mass index (BMI) (rs = 0.3502, p = 0.0019) was revealed. After multiple regression analysis, duration of disease remained significant for CTA, CSA, and CAs (p = 0.0042, p = 0.00003, and p = 0.00002, respectively). For CSA, BMI and the use of statins were the other important confounding variables (p = 0.0105 and p = 0.0763). Thus, this study demonstrated that both T1DM and T2DM patients had a higher number of all types of aberrations than controls, which increases with the prolonged disease duration. Higher BMI was associated with a higher frequency of CSA. The use of statins might be beneficial for reducing chromosome damage, but further investigations are needed to confirm this association.
ABSTRACT
Primary hypoparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare disease most commonly caused by surgical parathyroid glands destruction or genetic disorders. PHPT manifestation varies from subclinical to acute or even lethal symptoms. In atypical presentation the signs of hypocalcemia could be missed, and asymptotic chronic hypocalcemia could manifest only in the presence of exacerbated comorbidities, infections, hypomagnesemia or certain medications. We present a case of PHPT with severe hypocalcemia manifesting as seizures and delirium in a presence of COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Essential data on the quality of diabetes care needed for the development of National Diabetes Programme in Lithuania are lacking. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of diabetes care compared to the local guidelines in Vilnius, Lithuania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data collection covering the period from 2012 to 2013 was performed in 5 Vilnius outpatient clinics assessing process and outcome indicators in type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. RESULTS: In a sample of 1,719 patients (58.9% women, 92.6% T2DM) the annual HbA1c assessment rate was 88.6%. Glycaemic control was significantly better in T2DM compared to T1DM patients: average HbA1c was 7.0 ± 1.4% vs 9.1 ± 1.8% and HbA1c ≤ 7% in 59 vs 9.4%, respectively (p < 0.001); referrals to an endocrinologist were recommended in 56.3% of cases. Annual screening for diabetic foot, retinopathy, nephropathy, renal function and lipids was performed in 4.6, 24.4, 2.3, 29.3 and 13.2% of patients, respectively, with higher performance rate of retinal screening and urinary microalbumin in T1DM; BMI and blood pressure were recorded for 50.2 and 97.2% of patients, respectively. Prevalence of nephropathy, polyneuropathy, retinopathy, and angiopathy was 8.4, 36.2, 10.7 and 7.7%, respectively, with the higher prevalence in T1DM. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis revealed good glycaemic control in T2DM, but insufficient in T1DM. Continuous monitoring of diabetes complications and cardiovascular risk factors did not meet the local Diabetes Care Guidelines.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is effective for weight reduction in severely obese patients. However, the data about its effect on metabolic syndrome (MS) are limited. AIM: To assess weight loss and changes of metabolic parameters 1 year after LAGB in a prospective, nonrandomized single center cohort study in morbidly obese subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Physical examination, body weight (BW) parameters and metabolic profile were assessed at baseline and 1 year after LAGB in morbidly obese subjects. The incidence of MS was evaluated according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: One year after the operation data from 90 patients out of 103 were available. Mean excess weight (EW) loss of 33.1% was associated with a significant improvement in all metabolic parameters: decrease of hypertension by 15.8%, hypertriglyceridemia by 42.6%, and hyperglycemia by 46.3%; and increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 48.3%. This resulted in the resolution of MS in 44.2% of subjects. The significant change in the distribution of MS components was observed with the highest frequency of 4 components before and 2 components after surgery. Patients with MS at baseline lost 29.9% of EW compared to 44.3% in those without MS (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The LAGB resulted in effective reduction of BW parameters in morbidly obese subjects 1 year after the operation. Along with the weight loss, resolution of MS and a significant shift towards decrease in the number of MS components was observed. Patients with MS were more resistant to the weight loss.