Genotype and phenotype landscape of MEN2 in 554 medullary thyroid cancer patients: the BrasMEN study.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by RET gene germline mutations that is characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) associated with other endocrine tumors. Several reports have demonstrated that the RET mutation profile may vary according to the geographical area. In this study, we collected clinical and molecular data from 554 patients with surgically confirmed MTC from 176 families with MEN2 in 18 different Brazilian centers to compare the type and prevalence of RET mutations with those from other countries. The most frequent mutations, classified by the number of families affected, occur in codon 634, exon 11 (76 families), followed by codon 918, exon 16 (34 families: 26 with M918T and 8 with M918V) and codon 804, exon 14 (22 families: 15 with V804M and 7 with V804L). When compared with other major published series from Europe, there are several similarities and some differences. While the mutations in codons C618, C620, C630, E768 and S891 present a similar prevalence, some mutations have a lower prevalence in Brazil, and others are found mainly in Brazil (G533C and M918V). These results reflect the singular proportion of European, Amerindian and African ancestries in the Brazilian mosaic genome.

Associação entre vitamina D, controle glicêmico e complicações microvasculares no diabetes tipo 1 / Asociación entre la vitamina D, el control glicémico y las complicaciones microvasculares del Diabetes tipo I / Association between vitamin D, glycemic control and microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre os níveis de vitamina D, os parâmetros do controle metabólico e a presença de complicações microvasculares em pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo1 (T1DM). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, analítico e observacional, realizado em 2016, em Fortaleza, Ceará, com prontuários de cinquenta pacientes. Investigaram-se os dados clínicos e epidemiológicos: sexo, idade, IMC (índice de massa corporal), cor da pele, controle glicêmico, duração do diabetes, dose diária de insulina, presença de complicações microvasculares e dosagem de vitamina D por quimiluminescência. Utilizaram-se os testes exato de Fisher, t-Student e Mann-Whitney com p< 0,05. RESULTADOS: Observou-se deficiência de vitamina D em 34 (68%) pacientes, com média de 25(OH) de vitamina D, 23,24 ± 4,29 ng/mL no grupo vitamina D deficiente e 38,22± 7,72 ng/mL no grupo vitamina D suficiente. Além disso, 37 pacientes (78%) apresentaram hemoglobina glicada acima de 7% e semelhante nos dois grupos. A dose diária de insulina no grupo vitamina D deficiente foi maior que no grupo vitamina D suficiente, 54,81 + 27,4 vs 55,55 + 19,2, mas sem associação significativa com níveis de vitamina D. O nível sérico da vitamina D não se associou com parâmetros clínicos e epidemiológicos, como: sexo, idade, IMC, cor da pele, controle glicêmico, duração do diabetes, dose diária de insulina e presença de complicações microvasculares. CONCLUSÃO: A deficiência de vitamina D esteve presente na maioria dos pacientes com T1DM avaliados. No entanto, sem associação entre essa deficiência e as variáves clínicas e epidemiológicas analisadas. (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between vitamin D levels, parameters of metabolic control and presence of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. METHODS: Analytical and observational cross-sectional study of medical records of fifty patients carried out in 2016 in Fortaleza, Ceará. Clinical and epidemiological data were analyzed: sex, age, BMI (body mass index), skin color, glycemic control, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose, presence of microvascular complications, and vitamin D assay by chemiluminescence. Fisher's test, students's t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used with p< 0.05. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 34 (68%) patients, with a mean of 25(OH) vitamin D of 23.24±4.29 ng/mL in the Vitamin D deficiency group and 38.22±7.72 ng/mL in the normal Vitamin D group. In addition, 37 patients (78%) exhibited glycated hemoglobin above 7%, which was similar in booth groups. The daily insulin dose in the vitamin D deficiency group was higher than in the normal vitamin D group, 54.81+27.4 vs 55.55+19.2, but with no significant association with vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels were not associated with clinical and epidemiological such as: sex, age, BMI, skin color, glycemic control, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose and presence of microvascular complications or insulin daily dose. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was present in most of the T1DM patients analyzed. However, such deficiency was not associated with the clinical and epidemiological variables analyzed. (AU)

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre los niveles de vitamina D, los parámetros del control metabólico y la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares de pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo I (DM1). MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, analítico y observacional realizado en 2016 en Fortaleza, Ceará, con historiales clínicos de cincuenta pacientes. Se investigaron los siguientes datos clínicos y epidemiológicos: el sexo, la edad, el IMC (Índice de Masa Corporal), el color de la piel, el control glicémico, la duración del diabetes, la dosis diaria de insulina, la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares y la dosificación de vitamina D por quimioluminiscencia. Se utilizaron las pruebas ecxato de Fisher, t-Student y Mann-Whitney con p< 0,05. RESULTADOS: Se observó la deficiencia de vitamina D en 34 (68%) pacientes con media de 25(OH) de vitamina D, 23,24 ± 4,29 ng/mL en el grupo de vitamina D deficiente y 38,22± 7,72 ng/mL en el grupo de vitamina D suficiente. Además, 37 pacientes (78%) presentaron hemoglobina glicosilada por encima del 7% y semejante para los dos grupos. La dosis diaria de insulina en el grupo de vitamina D deficiente ha sido mayor que en el grupo de vitamina D suficiente, 54,81 + 27,4 vs 55,55 + 19,2, pero sin asociación significativa con los niveles de vitamina D. El nivel sérico de vitamina D no se ha asociado con los parámetros clínicos y epidemiológicos como el sexo, la edad, el IMC, el color de la piel, el control glicémico, la duración del diabetes, la dosis diaria de insulina y la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares. CONCLUSIÓN: La deficiencia de vitamina D se dio en la mayoría de los pacientes con DM1 evaluados. Sin embargo, no hubo asociación entre la deficiencia y las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas analizadas. (AU)

Prevalência das complicações micro e macrovasculares e de seus fatores de risco em pacientes com diabetes mellitus e síndrome metabólica / Prevalence of micro and macrovasculars complications and the risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As complicações vasculares do diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nos países desenvolvidos e constituem preocupação crescente para as autoridades de saúde. Alguns fatores estão envolvidosna gênese das complicações crônicas do DM2, destacando-se a hiperglicemia, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, dislipidemia e otabagismo, bem como disfunção endotelial, estado pré-trombóticoe inflamação. Dentro deste contexto, as complicações do DM2, tanto micro como macrovasculares, emergem como uma das maiores ameaças à saúde em todo o mundo, levando a custos econômicos e sociais de enorme repercussão. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de complicações crônicas e os principais fatores de risco em pacientes com DM2 e com síndrome metabólica (SM), atendidos em hospital terciário da rede pública estadual.MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, descritivo realizado no período de março a agosto de 2009, por análise de dados de prontuários de pacientes portadores de DM e SM, atendidos no ambulatório de diabetes do Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGF). Os dados foram registrados em um banco de dados no Excel e análises por frequência foram realizadas. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 85 prontuários de pacientes diabéticos com SM, sendo 18,8% do sexo masculino e 81,2% do sexo feminino. Dentre as complicações microvasculares avaliadas,41,4% apresentou neuropatia periférica sensitiva, 28,2% nefropatia e 16,4% retinopatia. Por outro lado das complicações macrovasculares, a mais frequente foi a doença arterial coronariana (DAC) (20%),seguida da doença vascular periférica (DVP) (14,1%). A prevalência de doença vascular cerebral (DCV) foi de apenas 4,7%...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular complicationsof type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are the main morbidity and mortality causes in the developed countries and constitute growing concern for the authorities of health. Some factors are involvedin the genesis of these chronic complications of T2DM, standing out the hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and smoking,as well as endothelium dysfunction, thrombotic and inflammation state. Inside of this context, the micro and macrovasculares complications of T2DM emerge as one of the largest threats to the health all over the world, taking at economical and social costs of great repercussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic complications and the main risk factors in patients with T2DM and metabolic syndrome (MS), assisted at a tertiary hospital of the state public net. METHOD: A cross-sectional study, retrospective, descriptive from March to August 2009, by analysis of data in medical handbooks of all the patients with T2DM and MS, assisted in a diabetes center of the Endocrinology Unit of the General Hospital of Fortaleza.The dates were registered in a database in Excel and analysis for frequency was made. RESULTS: 85 patients were analyzed of which 18.8% were in the male gender and 81.2% in the female gender. Among the microvasculares complications appraised, 41.4% presented sensitive neuropathy peripheral, 28.2% nephropathy and 16.4% retinopathy. On the other hand of the macrovasculares complications, the most frequent was coronary arterial disease (20%), following by the peripheral vascular disease (14.1%). The prevalence of cerebral vascular disease was of only 4.7%...

Endoscopic endonasal approach for pituitary adenoma: surgical complications in 301 patients.

The authors investigate the complications of transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of 301 patients with pituitary adenomas. A retrospective analysis of complications in 301 patients submitted to transsphenoidal transnasal endoscopic surgery at the General Hospital of Fortaleza, Brazil between January 1998 and December 2009. The complications were divided in two groups: anatomical (oronasofacial, sphenoid sinus, intrasellar, suprasellar and parasellar) and endocrinological complications (anterior and posterior pituitary dysfunctions). We observed a total of 81 complications (26.9%) in our series. Anatomical complications occurred in 8.97% (27 cases): 8 CSF postoperative leaks (2.6%), 6 cases (1.9%) of delayed nasal bleeding, 5 cases (1.6%) of sphenoidal sinusitis, 3 cases (0.9%) of carotid artery lesion, 2 cases of meningitis (0.6%) and one case (0.3%) of each of the uncommon following complications: intrasella-suprasella hematoma, pontine hematoma and chiasmaplexy. Endocrinological complications occurred in 17.9% (54 cases): additional postoperative anterior lobe insufficiency in 35 cases (11.6%), and postoperative diabetes insipidus in 19 cases (6.3%). In our series, 3 cases of deaths (not directly related to the procedure) were also observed. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery represents an effective option for the treatment of patients with pituitary tumor. Complications still occur and must be reduced as much as possible. Successful endoscopic pituitary surgery requires extensive training in the use of an endoscope and careful planning of the surgery. Additional improvement can be expected with greater experience and new technical developments.

Pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for treatment of acromegaly: results of 67 cases treated in a pituitary center.

OBJECT: Acromegaly is a chronic disease related to the excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor­I secretion, usually by pituitary adenomas. Traditional treatment of acromegaly consists of surgery, drug therapy, and eventually radiotherapy. The introduction of endoscopy as an additional tool for surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and, therefore, acromegaly represents an important advance of pituitary surgery in the recent years. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of pure transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in a series of patients with acromegaly who were operated on by a pituitary specialist surgeon. The authors discuss the advantages, outcome, complications, and factors related to the success of the endoscopic approach in cases of GHsecreting adenomas. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed data from cases involving patients with GH-secreting adenomas who underwent pure transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery at the Department of Neurosurgery of the General Hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, between 2000 and 2009. Tumors were classified according to size as micro- or macroadenomas, and tumor extension was analyzed based on suprasellar/parasellar extension and sella floor destruction. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The criteria of disease control were GH levels < 1 ng/L after oral glucose tolerance test and normal insulin-like growth factor­I levels for age and sex. RESULTS: During the study period, 67 patients underwent pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for treatment of acromegaly. Disease control was obtained in 50 cases (74.6%). The rate of treatment success was higher in patients with microadenomas (disease control achieved in 12 [85.7%] of 14 cases) than in those with larger lesions. Suprasellar/parasellar extension and high levels of sella floor erosion were associated with lower rates of disease control (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Complications related to the endoscopic surgery included epistaxis (6.0%), transitory diabetes insipidus (4.5%), and 1 case of seizure (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery represents an effective option for treatment of patients with acromegaly. High disease control rates and a small number of complications are some of the most important points related to the technique. Factors related to the success of the endoscopic surgery are lesion size, suprasellar/parasellar extension, and the degree of sella floor erosion. Although presenting important advantages, there is no conclusive evidence that endoscopy is superior to microsurgery in treatment of GH-secreting adenomas.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery: surgical results of 228 pituitary adenomas treated in a pituitary center.

Pituitary tumors are challenging tumors in the sellar region. Surgical approaches to the pituitary have undergone numerous refinements over the last 100 years. The introduction of the endoscope have revolutionized pituitary surgery. The aim of this study is to report the results of a consecutive series of patients undergoing pituitary surgery using a pure endoscopic endonasal approach and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. We reviewed the data of 228 consecutive patients who underwent endonasal transsphenoidal adenoma removal over an 10-year period. Pre- and post-operative hormonal status (at least 3 months after surgery) were analyzed and compared with clinical parameters presented by the patients. Tumor removal rate, endocrinological outcomes, and complications were retrospectively assessed in 228 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent 251 procedures between December 1998 and December 2007. There were 93 nonfunctioning adenomas, 58 growth hormone-secreting, 41 prolactin-secreting, 28 adrenocorticotropin hormone secreting, 7 FSH-LH secreting and 1 thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting adenomas. Gross total removal was achieved in 79.3% of the cases after a median follow-up of 61.5 months. The remission results for patients with nonfunctioning adenomas was 83% and for functioning adenomas were 76.3% (70.6% for GH hormone-secreting, 85.3% for prolactin hormone-secreting, 71.4% for ACTH hormone-secreting, 85.7% for FSH-LH hormone-secreting and 100% for TSH hormone-secreting), with no recurrence at the time of the last follow-up. Post-operative complications were present in 35 (13.9%) cases. The most frequent complications were temporary and permanent diabetes insipidus (six and two cases, respectively), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (two cases) and CSF leaks (eight cases). There was no death related to the procedure in this series. The endoscopic endonasal approach for resection of pituitary adenomas, provides acceptable results representing a safe alternative procedure to the microscopic approach. This less invasive method, associated with a small number of complications, provides excellent tumor removal rates and represents an important tool for the achievement of good results in the pituitary surgery, mainly for the complete removal of large adenomas.

Prevalência do pé diabético nos pacientes atendidos na emergência de um hospital público terciário de Fortaleza / Prevalence of diabetic foot in patients treated in the rise of a public hospital tertiary of Fortaleza

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O diabetes mellitus é um importante problema de saúde pública, tanto pela sua alta prevalência, quanto pela suas complicações, entre elas o pé diabético que é causa frequente de amputações e acarreta comprometimento na produtividade e qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de pé diabético em um hospital terciário e descrever os fatores de risco associados, as complicações e a classificação das lesões segundo "Wagner". MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, descritivo, realizado no período de julho a setembro de 2008, no Setor de Emergência do Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, por meio da análise de prontuários dos pacientes atendidos com diagnóstico clínico de "pé diabético". RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 67 de 1631 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de pé diabético, dos quais 47,8% eram do sexo masculino e 52,2% do sexo feminino, com idade média de 65,7 anos, sendo 58,2% provenientes de Fortaleza. Em relação aos fatores de risco, os mais encontrados foram hipertensão (91,1%) e tabagismo (46,4%). Quanto às complicações mais associadas, identificou-se doença arterial periférica (83,7%) e doença cerebrovascular (48,8%). O grau de lesão mais frequente foi 4 (56,7%), seguido de 5 (29,8%). O tratamento predominante foi o cirúrgico (97%). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência do pé diabético foi de 4,1%, sendo mais comum no sexo feminino, com idade média de 66 anos e procedentes de Fortaleza. A hipertensão arterial foi o fator de risco mais frequente e a doença arterial periférica a complicação mais encontrada nessa população. As lesões de grau 4 predominavam nos pacientes portadores de pé diabético.(AU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is an important public health problem, both for its high prevalence and complications, including diabetic foot which is a frequent cause of amputations and causes severe impairment in productivity and quality of life of patients. The objective this study was identify the patients that are "diabetic foot" carriers in a high complexity hospital and describe the factors of associated risks, epidemiological factors and the classification of the existent lesions, according to "Wagner". METHOD: A cross-sectional study, retrospective, descriptive, from July to September 2008, at the Emergency of the General Hospital of Fortaleza, by the analysis of medical records of patients presenting clinical diagnosis of diabetic foot. RESULTS: 67 patients were analyzed, of which 47.8% were in the male gender and 52.2% in the female gender, with median age 65.7; of which 58.2% came or were from Fortaleza. Concerning the risk factors, the biggest were the hypertension (91.1%) and the tobacco (46.4%). Concerning the associated complications, there was the peripheral arterial disease (83.7%) and the vascular brain disease (48.8%). The most frequent degree was 4 (56.7%), followed by 5 (29.8%). The treatment that prevailed was surgical (97%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetic foot was 4.1%, more common in females, mean age 66 years and coming from Fortaleza. The most common risk factor was hypertension. Peripheral arterial disease was the most common complication. Finally, according to Wagner's classification, the most prevalent degree of injury was grade 4.(AU)

Prevalência da hipertensão arterial sistêmica nos pacientes portadores de acidente vascular encefálico, atendidos na emergência de um hospital público terciário / Prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension in carrier patients of cerebrovascular accidents encephalic attended at the emergency room in a tertiary public hospital

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O termo acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), usado para designar o déficit neurológico em uma área cerebral secundária à lesão vascular, é hoje uma das causas mais comuns de disfunção neurológica na população adulta. Conforme dados da Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares, as estatísticas demonstram que o AVE é uma das principais causas de óbito no Brasil, gerando grande impacto sobre a saúde da população. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificara prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) em pacientes com AVE atendidos na Emergência de um Hospital terciário. MÉTODO: Análise de dados de 280 prontuários de pacientes atendidos no Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, no período de julho a setembro de 2008, com diagnóstico clínico e tomográfico de AVE. RESULTADOS: A idade variou entre 30 e 98 anos (média de 69,84 anos). A prevalência de HAS foi de 97%. Quanto ao tipo de AVE, o isquêmico foi o mais frequente (78,5%). Em relação aos outros fatores de risco, encontrou-se diabetes em 47,6% dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados coletados confirmaram a HAS como o principal fator de risco para AVE.

McCune-Albright syndrome and acromegaly: hormonal control with use of cabergoline and long-acting somatostatin--case report.

OBJECTIVES: The use of drug therapy based on cabergoline, octreotide and long-acting release (LAR) octreotide has presented varying results in the treatment of GH excessive production in patients with McCune-Albright Syndrome. METHODS: We report the case of a 29 year-old female patient presenting McCune-Albright Syndrome and complaint of excessive bone growth. RESULTS: The patient presented a pituitary adenoma involving the right internal carotid artery and excessive secretion of growth hormone (no GH suppression was observed after the oral glucose tolerance test). Due to the presence of diffuse thickness in skull base bones, surgical approach was not considered effective and the patient was submitted to drug therapy with octreotide LAR and cabergoline. At the one year follow-up, GH and IGF-1 levels were normal and no adverse effects were present. CONCLUSION: The use of drug therapy based on the association of cabergoline and octreotide is safe and able to achieve complete hormonal control in the treatment of acromegaly for McCune-Albright patients.

McCune-albright syndrome and acromegaly: hormonal control with use of cabergoline and long-acting somatostatin - case report / Síndrome de McCune-albright associada à acromegalia: controle hormonal com cabergolina e somatostatina de longa duração - relato de caso

OBJECTIVES: The use of drug therapy based on cabergoline, octreotide and long-acting release (LAR) octreotide has presented varying results in the treatment of GH excessive production in patients with McCune-Albright Syndrome. METHODS: We report the case of a 29 year-old female patient presenting McCune-Albright Syndrome and complaint of excessive bone growth. RESULTS: The patient presented a pituitary adenoma involving the right internal carotid artery and excessive secretion of growth hormone (no GH suppression was observed after the oral glucose tolerance test). Due to the presence of diffuse thickness in skull base bones, surgical approach was not considered effective and the patient was submitted to drug therapy with octreotide LAR and cabergoline. At the one year follow-up, GH and IGF-1 levels were normal and no adverse effects were present. CONCLUSION: The use of drug therapy based on the association of cabergoline and octreotide is safe and able to achieve complete hormonal control in the treatment of acromegaly for McCune-Albright patients.

OBJETIVO: O uso de terapia medicamentosa, como cabergolina, octreotide e octreotide de longa duração, tem apresentado resultados variados no tratamento da produção excessiva de hormônio de crescimento (GH) em pacientes com síndrome de McCune-Albright. MÉTODOS: Foi relatado o caso de uma paciente de 29 anos apresentando síndrome de McCune-Albright com queixas de crescimento ósseo excessivo. RESULTADOS: A paciente apresentava adenoma pituitário com envolvimento da artéria carótida interna direita e produção excessiva de GH (sem supressão de GH após o teste de supressão com glicose). Por causa do aumento importante da espessura dos ossos da base do crânio, a abordagem cirúrgica foi considerada pouco efetiva e a paciente foi submetida à terapia medicamentosa com octreotide de longa duração e cabergolina. No seguimento de um ano, os níveis de GH e IGF-1 estavam normais e os efeitos adversos não eram presentes. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia medicamentosa fundamentada na associação de cabergolina e octreotide é segura e capaz de alcançar controle hormonal completo no tratamento de acromegalia na síndrome de McCune-Albright.

Headache associated with pituitary tumors.

The objective of this study is to analyze the presence of headache in pituitary tumors and their characteristics, the relationship between pituitary tumor size, biological type, local extension and intrasellar pressure (ISP). This is a prospective study, of 64 consecutive patients presenting with primary pituitary masses at Neuroendocrinological Department of General Hospital of Fortaleza from October 2005 to December 2006. We analyzed sex, age, headache (laterality, site, severity, quality, frequency, duration, associated symptoms, time of onset, trigger, alleviating factors and familial history) and tumor characteristics (type, size, quiasmatic compression, cavernous sinus invasion, sella turcica destruction, cystic or solid mass and ISP). We observed a statistic significant factor between pituitary tumor and tumor size, optic compression, sellar destruction, cavernous sinus invasion and ISP. Biochemical-neuroendocrine factors, mainly in prolactinomas, seem to be an important factor in the determination of headache. The presence of headache in pituitary tumor is related to a combination of factors, including ISP, tumor extension, relationship with the sellar structures, patient predisposition, familial history, and functional disturbance within the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.

Outcome of surgical intrasellar growth hormone tumor performed by a pituitary specialist surgeon in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Acromegaly is an excessive GH secretion, which in most cases, is caused by a pituitary GH-secreting adenoma. Traditional treatment of acromegaly consists of surgery, drug therapy, and eventually radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in a group of patients with intrasellar GH adenoma who were operated by a pituitary specialist surgeon. We shall then argue about the economical advantages, for the NHS of a developing country, between surgical and medical treatment. METHODS: We have analyzed data from 33 patients with intrasellar GH tumor who had been referred to the neuroendocrine department of the HGF, Brazil. The patients underwent a transsphenoidal endoscopic adenomectomy for acromegaly between 2000 and 2005. Their ages were between 20 and 67 years (mean, 44 years) at the moment of surgery. No cavernous sinus invasion was present. Follow-up was a median of 2 years (range, 12 months-6 years). RESULTS: All 33 patients had intrasellar adenoma, 84.84% of patients achieved remission by surgery. One patient was operated twice and reached hormonal normalization. Five patients still had the disease and refused a second surgery. A treatment with octreotide was started for these 5 patients and resulted in an adequate control of GH and IGF-1 levels. No patients had radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our patients, with intrasellar GH tumor, operated by a pituitary specialist neurosurgeon had remission rates approaching those obtained by most specialized neurosurgical centers worldwide. For equal results, our study shows that the surgical treatment is the best issue for the patient and for the NHS.

C-reactive protein and features of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian women with previous gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory biomarker, has been associated with the development of diabetes. Gestational diabetes (GDM) predicts type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and may be part of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Few studies have examined the association of CRP, MS and diabetes in women with previous GDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Women with previous GDM (n=70) and randomly sampled women without previous GDM (n=108) from the one center of the Brazilian Study of Gestational Diabetes participated in the study after 6 years of index pregnancy. Oral glucose tolerance test and anthropometry were performed. CRP levels were measured by the nephelometry. The MS was defined by the ATPIII criteria. RESULTS: There was significant positive linear correlation between CRP levels, fasting insulin (R=0.053) and HOMA IR (0.048) in previous GDM. Mean CRP levels were significantly higher in previous GDM group with abdominal obesity (1.227 95% CI 0.871-1.584 versus 0.597, 95% CI 0.378-0.817; p=0.001) and abnormal glucose tolerance (1.168 95% CI 0.784-1.552 versus 0.657 95% CI 0.455-0.859, p=0.012). There were differences when considering the presence of different MS features, once the previous GDM group reported a significantly higher number of women with low HDL (74.3% versus 55.6%, p=0.016) and abnormal glucose tolerance (45.7% versus 25%, p=0.005) than the group without GDM. On average, the CRP levels were significantly higher in women with previous GDM and MS (0.918 95% CI 0.569; 1.268 versus 0.524 95% CI 0.373; 0.675, p=0.044) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that the presence of MS in women with previous GDM is associated with high levels of CRP.