SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-associated subacute thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), subacute thyroiditis (SAT) cases are on the rise all over the world. COVID-19 vaccine-associated SAT cases have also been reported. In this article, we present our data on 11 vaccine-associated SAT cases. METHODS: Eleven patients were included in the study. Type of the vaccines patients received, time to the occurrence of SAT after vaccination, symptoms and laboratory findings, treatment given, and response to treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 26 to 73. Four of the patients were males, and seven were females. Symptoms of six patients were seen after BNT162b2 Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine®, and four of them after Coronavac inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine®. In one patient, SAT developed after the first dose of BNT162b2, administered after two doses of Coronavac. The average time to the onset of symptoms was 22 days (15-37) after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that both whole virus containing and genetic material containing vaccines cause SAT suggests that the trigger may be viral proteins rather than the whole viral particle. Although corticosteroids are commonly preferred in published vaccine-associated SAT cases, we preferred nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy in our patients for sufficient vaccine antibody response. There is not enough information about whether patients who develop SAT can be revaccinated safely considering the ongoing pandemic. Further research is needed for a conclusion in the treatment and revaccination of these patients.

The relationship between vitamin D level and organ­specific autoimmune disorders in newly diagnosed type I diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study is to determine vitamin D levels in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 DM, and assess the association of type 1 DM with organ-specific autoimmune disorders, as well as their association with vitamin D. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included a total of 160 patients, of whom 50 were newly diagnosed with type 1 DM (group I), 50 were formerly diagnosed with type 1 DM (group II), and 60 were healthy controls (group III). RESULTS: The mean level of 25(OH)D was 14.6 ng/dL in group I, 12.1 ng/dL in group II, and 16.1 ng/dL in group III. In all diabetic patients, the 25(OH)D levels were lower than those of controls. The 25(OH)D median level was 11.4 ng/ml in all cases included into the study with ATD. In subjects without ATD, the latter level was 15.3 ng/ml. The difference was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the vitamin D level was lower in (i) type 1 diabetic patients when compared with healthy subjects, (ii) all cases included to study with ATD when compared with patients without ATD, (iii) all APA-positive type 1 diabetic patients with ATD when compared with none (iv) APA-positive newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics when compared with those APA-negative (Tab. 7, Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

Carotid intima-media thickness and insulin resistance changes in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to examine changes in insulin resistance, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT), in morbid obese patients without any known associated chronic diseases who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study were patients with minimum BMI of 40, who did not have any known chronic diseases. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed and perioperative control endoscopy was performed. The following values were measured before the operation and after follow-up period after the operation: Fasting blood glucose and insulin, lipid profile, BMI, liver function tests, right and left CIMT. Furthermore, the patients' insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA method, and the values of 2.7. PARTICIPANTS: Six-teen patients (14 women and 2 men, average age: 39.12 ± 10.63 years), who did not have a known additional chronic disease, took part in the study. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between baseline and follow-up values of the patients, and the mean weight loss was 20.5%. Given the statistical evaluation of baseline and follow-up values, there was a significant difference in BMI, insulin resistance rates and right and left CIMT values. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery may provide some additional advantages for the management of cardiovascular risks in obese patients. However, it should be kept in mind that the most important components of fight against obesity are appropriate diet and exercise programs.