Screening for Coronary Artery Disease in Asymptomatic Pilots with Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a cause of death in 75% of patients with diabetes. Its often asymptomatic nature delays diagnosis. In aeronautics, it can cause in-flight incapacitation, beyond which it represents a major fear for the medical expert. Screening for CAD is still a topical subject with the advent of new cardiovascular (CV) risk biomarkers and more effective screening tests. We report the experience of the Aeromedical Expertise Center of Rabat in this screening of diabetic pilots, with a recommendations review.METHODS: A prospective study over 1 yr included diabetic pilots who benefited from systematic screening for CAD after a CV risk stratification. Coronary angiography is performed if a screening test is positive. Subsequent follow-up is carried out in consultation with the attending physician with regular evaluation in our center.RESULTS: There were 38 pilots included in our study. The average age was 55 ± 4.19 yr and about 73% had a high CV risk. CAD was detected in 4 cases (10.52%) who had abnormal resting electrocardiograms and required revascularization with the placement of active stents. Approximately 75% of pilots with CAD returned to fly through a waiver with restrictions.DISCUSSION: Screening for coronary disease in diabetics is controversial, and current recommendations are not unanimous. In our study, the screening did not identify coronary diabetic pilots who could benefit from bypass surgery. Nevertheless, coronary disease was diagnosed, justifying grounding to preserve flight safety, which is an absolute priority in aviation medicine.Zerrik M, Moumen A, El Ghazi M, Smiress FB, Iloughmane Z, El M'hadi C, Chemsi M. Screening for coronary artery disease in asymptomatic pilot with diabetes mellitus. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(4):200-205.

[Bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia: a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome (a case report)]. / Hyperplasie macronodulaire bilatérale des surrénales: cause rare du syndrome de Cushing (à propos d'un cas).

Bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (BMAH) is a rare cause of adrenal Cushing's syndrome, accounting for less than 1% of cases. We here report the case of a 48-year-old patient with diabetes and hypertension presenting with clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome. Etiological assessment enabled clinicians to retain the diagnosis of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent hypercortisolism associated with BMAH. Unilateral left adrenalectomy was performed based on noriodocholesterol scintigraphy results, with good outcome. However, given the risk of recurrence and cardiovascular complications, long-term monitoring was scheduled.

[Chronic kidney failure and carotid atherosclerosis in diabetic patient]. / Insuffisance rénale chronique et athérosclérose carotidienne chez le patient diabétique.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney failure is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Its association with carotid atherosclerosis remains controversial. The purpose of our study was to assess the factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis specially the components of chronic kidney disease. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled type 1 or type 2 diabetic patients from the endocrinology an diabetology department of the military hospital of Rabat assigned in two groups according to the presence or absence of carotid atherosclerosis. Kidney function was assessed based on albuminuria and the estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated using the "modification of diet in renal disease" equation. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis. RESULTS: One hundred and six diabetic patients were enrolled including 96 type 2 diabetic patients. Age (P<0.001), diabetes duration (P=0.04), hypertension (P=0.002), peripheral arterial disease (P<0.001) and chronic kidney failure (P=0.001) were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis. After adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes duration and peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney failure was an independent factor associated with carotid atherosclerosis (OR: 5.46; 95%IC: 1.29-23.01; P=0.021). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that chronic kidney failure is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in diabetic patients independently of the common cardiovascular risk factors.

An unusual pituitary mass revealing a primary hypothyroidism!

Autoimmune hypothyroidism is a common medical condition. Its revelation by thyrotrophic hyperplasia is an unusual and may be misdiagnosed as a pituitary adenoma. A 35-year-old man is referred to us for endocrinological assessment before surgery of a pituitary macroadenoma with bitemporal hemianopsia. Biological data reveal profound primary hypothyroidism. With thyroid hormone substitution, the thyroid function was normalized. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, showed the complete shrinkage of the pituitary mass attesting of a thyrotrophic pituitary hyperplasia. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary assessment of pituitary masses to avoid unnecessary surgery and to prevent consequences of sellar masses.