Thyroid gland: a rare site of metastasis.

PURPOSE: Despite its rich vascularity, metastasis (MTS) to the thyroid tissue is unusual, ranging from 1 to 3%. This entity is not usually considered as differential diagnosis and is not included in the upfront approach in patients with thyroid nodules. Once diagnosed, treatment is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnosis, treatment, and outcome at the end of follow-up in patients with a diagnosis of MTS to the thyroid. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was designed from 1985 to 2022; 29 patients with MTS to the thyroid gland were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Clinical presentation included the presence of a nodular goiter (65.5%), compression symptoms (17.2%), diffuse goiter (10.3%), and suspicious lymph nodes in the neck (7%). Primary tumor sites were: kidney (44.8%), breast (24.1%), lung (13.8%), neuroendocrine system (6.9%), colon (3.4%), cervix (3.4%), and ovary (3.4%). In 18/23 patients, suspicious ultrasound criteria for malignancy were described. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 23/27 patients by FNA and confirmed in 18 cases by immunohistochemistry. Seventeen patients underwent surgery. At the end of the follow-up, 19 patients had died of oncological disease, and six were alive (2/6 disease-free with isolated intrathyroidal MTS). CONCLUSION: Renal carcinoma was the tumor that most frequently metastasized to the thyroid gland. Immunodiagnosis was a very useful tool for etiological confirmation. Patients with MTS to the thyroid gland as a unique site had a more favorable course compared to patients with multiple metastatic sites. Finally, outcomes and prognosis essentially depended on the biology of the primary tumor.

An international survey of screening and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy in Latin America / Uma avaliação internacional do rastreio e manejo do hipotireoidismo durante a gestação na América Latina

Objective To determine how endocrinologists in Latin America deal with clinical case scenarios related to hypothyroidism and pregnancy. Materials and methods In January 2013, we sent an electronic questionnaire on current practice relating to management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy to 856 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS) who manage pregnant patients with thyroid disease. Subsequently, we have analyzed responses from physician members. Results Two hundred and ninety-three responders represent clinicians from 13 countries. All were directly involved in the management of maternal hypothyroidism and 90.7% were endocrinologists. The recommendation of a starting dose of L-thyoxine for a woman diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism in pregnancy, preconception management of euthyroid women with known thyroid autoimmunity and approach related to ovarian hyperstimulation in women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies were widely variable. For women with known hypothyroidism, 34.6% of responders would increase L-thyroxine dose by 30-50% as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. With regard to screening, 42.7% of responders perform universal evaluation and 70% recommend TSH < 2.5 mUI/L in the first trimester and TSH < 3 mUI/L in the second and third trimester as target results in known hypothyroid pregnant women. Conclusion Deficiencies in diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy were observed in our survey, highlighting the need for improvement of specialist education and quality of care offered to patients with thyroid disease during pregnancy in Latin America. Arq Bras Endocrinol ...

Objetivo Determinar, na América Latina, como os endocrinologistas lidam com cenários clínicos relacionados ao hipotireoidismo durante a gravidez. Materiais e métodos Em Janeiro de 2013, foi enviado, para 856 membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide (LATS), um questionário eletrônico sobre práticas relacionadas ao manejo do hipotireoidismo durante a gestação. Subsequentemente, as respostas foram analisadas. Resultados Duzentos e noventa e três médicos, de 13 países, responderam ao questionário. Todos estavam diretamente envolvidos no manejo de hipotireoidismo materno e 90,7% eram endocrinologistas. As recomendações de iniciar terapia com levotiroxina para uma mulher com hipotireoidismo franco durante a gravidez e o manejo na fase de pré-concepção de pacientes eutireoidianas com conhecida autoimunidade em hiperestimulação ovariana variaram amplamente. Para mulheres com hipotireoidismo conhecido, apenas 34,6% dos respondedores aumentariam a dose de levotiroxina em 30-50% assim que a gravidez fosse confirmada. Em relação ao rastreamento, 42,7% dos respondedores realizam avaliação universal. Setenta por cento recomendam TSH < 2,5 mUI/L no primeiro trimestre e TSH < 3 mUI/L no terceiro trimestre como alvos. Conclusão Observamos problemas no diagnóstico e manejo do hipotireoidismo durante a gestação, enfatizando a necessidade, na América Latina, de melhoria na educação médica continuada em áreas como tireoiodopatias na gestação. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. ...

An international survey of screening and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how endocrinologists in Latin America deal with clinical case scenarios related to hypothyroidism and pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In January 2013, we sent an electronic questionnaire on current practice relating to management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy to 856 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS) who manage pregnant patients with thyroid disease. Subsequently, we have analyzed responses from physician members. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-three responders represent clinicians from 13 countries. All were directly involved in the management of maternal hypothyroidism and 90.7% were endocrinologists. The recommendation of a starting dose of L-thyoxine for a woman diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism in pregnancy, preconception management of euthyroid women with known thyroid autoimmunity and approach related to ovarian hyperstimulation in women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies were widely variable. For women with known hypothyroidism, 34.6% of responders would increase L-thyroxine dose by 30-50% as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. With regard to screening, 42.7% of responders perform universal evaluation and 70% recommend TSH < 2.5 mUI/L in the first trimester and TSH < 3 mUI/L in the second and third trimester as target results in known hypothyroid pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Deficiencies in diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy were observed in our survey, highlighting the need for improvement of specialist education and quality of care offered to patients with thyroid disease during pregnancy in Latin America.

Adequate levothyroxine doses for the treatment of hypothyroidism newly discovered during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines recommend thyrotropin (TSH) target levels of ≤2.5 mIU/L for the first trimester and ≤3 mIU/L for the subsequent trimesters. Euthyroidism should be attained as soon as possible, but there are no precise indications about the initial levothyrorine (LT4) dose. The aim of our study was to determine the appropriate LT4 doses in order to normalize TSH levels in patients with newly discovered subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy, and to correlate them with basal TSH levels. The adequate LT4 doses for women with SCH were also compared to those required in pregnant women with overt hypothyroidism (OH). METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism during pregnancy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were assigned to group 1 (n = 64) with SCH or group 2 (n = 13) with OH. SCH patients were subdivided into two groups: group 1a serum TSH >2.5 (1st trimester) or >3 (2nd or 3rd trimester) to 4.2 mIU/L; and group 1b TSH level > 4.21-10 mIU/L. All patients were treated with LT4 as soon as hypothyroidism was diagnosed. The dose that allowed a TSH of ≤2.5 mIU/L to be reached in the first trimester or one that allowed a TSH of ≤3 mIU/L to be reached during the second and third trimesters was considered the appropriate one. RESULTS: A significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the appropriate LT4 dose (mean ± SD, µg/kg/day) was observed between group 1 and group 2: 1.31 ± 0.36 versus 2.33 ± 0.59. Patients in group 1a required a significantly lower LT4 dose (p < 0.014) than group1b: 1.20 ± 0.39 versus 1.42 ± 0.31 µg/kg/day. In 57 of the 64 (89.06%) women with SCH and in 10/13 (76.92%) women with OH, the appropriate LT4 dose coincided with the initial dose. Only 11% and 23% respectively required additional adjustments. Once the appropriate dose of LT4 was prescribed, the time at which euthyroidism (mean ± SD, weeks) was confirmed was similar in patients with SCH (6.06 ± 3.3) and OH (5.3 ± 1.8). There were no miscarriages or premature deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: When hypothyroidism is newly discovered during pregnancy, we suggest initiating the treatment with the following LT4 doses: 1.20 µg/kg/day for SCH with TSH ≤ 4.2 mIU/L, 1.42 µg/kg/day with TSH > 4.2-10, and 2.33 µg/kg/day for OH. By taking this approach, patients will promptly attain the euthyroid state avoiding additional increments and, probably, obstetric risks.

The relationship of preconception thyrotropin levels to requirements for increasing the levothyroxine dose during pregnancy in women with primary hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Most women with hypothyroidism require an increase in their dose of levothyroxine (LT4) after conception. To minimize fetal and maternal complications of maternal hypothyroidism, it is thought that women should be rapidly restored to the euthyroid state. The objectives of this study was to determine the percentage of hypothyroid women who would need to increase their dose of LT4 dose even if they had a preconception (pre-C) serum thyrotropin (TSH) of <2.5 mIU/L as recommended by the Endocrine Society's guidelines and to ascertain whether there was a relationship between the pre-C TSH value and the need to increase the LT4 dose during pregnancy. METHODS: Fifty-three pregnant women with hypothyroidism on LT4 treatment in whom the pre-C serum TSH was <2.5 mIU/L, but which was within the normal range, within the 6 months before pregnancy were retrospectively studied. An additional selection criterion was that their LT4 dose at the time of their first prenatal visit was the same as that received pre-C. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had to increase their LT4 dose during pregnancy, because their serum TSH was increased at the time of the first prenatal visit (Group 1); and 36 patients did not have to increase their dose of LT4 during pregnancy (Group 2). The pre-C TSH was significantly higher in Group 1 (1.55 ± 0.62 mIU/L) than in Group 2 (0.98 ± 0.67 mIU/L). When pre-C TSH range was 1.2-2.4 mIU/L, 50% of the patients required an increase in the LT4 dose during pregnancy. In contrast, when the pre-C TSH was <1.2 mIU/L, only 17.2% (p< 0.02) had to increase the LT4 dose during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that in women with hypothyroidism who are planning to become pregnant, serum TSH levels should be in the normal range but should not be greater than about 1.2 mIU/mL.

Subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in women with infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of different subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) grades and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) in infertile women. DESIGN: Retrospective study. Setting. Endocrinology division of a public hospital in Argentina. PATIENTS: Group I comprised 244 women consulting on infertility (>1 year without pregnancy); Group C (controls) comprised 155 healthy women with confirmed fertility. INTERVENTION: Thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured in all patients, and a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test was performed in 71 patients to diagnose SH grade 1. The pregnancy rate in hypothyroid women on levothyroxine treatment was also evaluated. RESULTS: SH was diagnosed in 13.9% of the patients in Group I and in 3.9% of Group C (p < 0.002). The TRH stimulation test was useful to detect SH grade 1 in 12.7% of the infertile patients. Patients with precocious ovarian failure, tubal disturbances and ovulatory dysfunction presented higher SH rates (40.0, 18.2 and 15.4%, respectively) than control patients (p < 0.0001, p < 0.002 and p < 0.003). No significant difference in TAI prevalence was shown in Group I relative to Group C. Pregnancy rate of 44.1% was achieved under levothyroxine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a higher prevalence of SH, but not of TAI, in patients with infertility. Our results support thyroid screening in women with reproductive failure.

Encuesta Nacional de Salud: el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas / National health survey of Mexico in the prevalence of alcohol use

En el presente trabajo se informa acerca de los resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud en México, sobre la prevalencia de consumo de bebidas alcohólicas, el grado de preocupación ocasionado por su ingestión y los riesgos que conlleva su consumo. La encuesta se realizó durante los años 1986 y 1987 por la Dirección General de Epidemiología de la Secretaría de Salud, en una muestra de 54 mil viviendas distribuídas tanto en áreas urbanas como rurales del territorio nacional. El trabajo tiene como sustento metodológico, los estudios sobre alcoholismo que ubicados en la corriente epidemiológica, han seguido métodos directos; en particular recoge la experiencia de encuestas nacionales de salud realizadas en otros países, que utilizan la información sobre el grado de preocupación por la forma de beber de los convivientes, como un indicador de que se trata de bebedores problema. En el instrumento que se emplea para recoger la información se incluyeron preguntas sobre el hábito de beber en una población comprendida a partir de los 12 años de edad, y la preocupación que esto causa a sus familiares dejando a un lado otros aspectos tales como el patrón de consumo de bebidas alcohólicas o la estimación de la prevalencia de dependientes del alcohol. Con base en lo anterior, se clasificó a la población en tres grupos: los no bebedores, los consumidores que beben en forma no preocupante y los consumidores preocupantes. Junto a esta condición central, el trabajo analizó las variables de edad, sexo, estado civil, hábito tabáquico, migración, accidentes, enfermedades crónicas, hospitalización, incapacidad e impedimento de salud. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia para cada varible, estimándose la proporción de personas que consumen bebidas alcohólicas de manera preocupante y que poseen alguna de las características investigadas, con la proporción de personas que consumen bebidas alcohólicas y no poseen dichas características, como un estimador del riesgo relativo. Las razones de prevalencia fueron controladas por edad, mediante análisis estratificado, empleando el estimador de Mantel y Heanzel. De la muestra se pudo obtener el perfil estadístico de la población nacional mayor de 12 años, que suma 55.7 millones de individuos, de los cuaels el 70% pertenece al grupo de los no bebedores, el 20.5% al de los consumidores que lo hacen en forma no preocupante, y el 7.3% al sector de la población que consume alcohol en forma preocupante...

Epidemiología de los síntomas del aparato digestivo en una población de la clase media en la ciudad de México / Epidemiology of simptoms of the digestive apparatus in a middle class population of Mexico city

Se realizó una encuesta en 1000 personas asistentes al Centro de Diagnóstico Automatizado (CLIDDA) del Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE). Se encontró que la población estudiada presentaba síntomas digestivos, en los porcentajes siguientes: entre 20//y 30//eructos, flatulencias, diarrea y constipación alternadas, sensación de distensión epigástrica, constipación. Entre 10//y 20//pirosis, ardor epigástrico, sensación de vacío epigástrico, meteorismo, borborigmos y dolor abdominal. El 29//refirió tener hemorroides, la tercera parte sin molestias. 50//manifestaron intolerancia al chile y en menor proporción a otros alimentos, principalmente grasas fritas, café, frijol y bebidas alcohólicas. 8.1//habían sido operados del apéndice y 2.2//de la vesícula. 1.6//habían sido diagnosticados radiológicamente de úlcera péptica. Los factores de riesgo que resultaron más relevantes para la presentación de los síntomas digestivos fueron: 1) sexo femenino. 2) bajos ingresos. 3) ocupación profesional, técnico o administrativo. 4) dentadura postiza inadecuada. 5) transtornos psicológicos.

Encuesta Nacional Seroepidemiologica: II. Diseño operativo y prueba piloto / National Seroepidemiologic Survey: II. Operative design and pilot study

El propósito de este articulo es en primer lugar describir el diseño operativo de la Encuesta Nacional Seroepidemio/ ógica que por su extensión y complejidad tuvo dificultades de muy diversa naturaleza y que es de interés dar a conocer a los trabajadores de la salud pública. Se describe la organización general de la encuesta, la capacitación del personal, el diseño de los programas estatales, los procedimientos para la sensibilización de la comunidad, la organización en campo, el control de calidad, el diseffo logistico y la evaluación estatal final. Se describen también los resultados obtenidos en la prueba piloto llevada a cabo en el estado de Puebla, en donde se estudió una muestra que incluyá 28 municipios, 48 unidades primarias de muestreo, 1 523 viviendas y 3 135 individuos. Se analizan las diferencias entre la muestra calculada y la muestra estudiada, la tasa de no respuesta y sus causas, y se describe la composición de la muestra obtenida por edad, sexo y estrato socioeconomico, asi como los principales errores conceptuales detectados en los cuestionarios

Inmunidad natural antisarampión en lactante de la ciudad de México / Passive natural immunity anti-measles in infants of Mexico City

Se efectuó un estudio transversal, para determinar el título de anticuerpos contra sarampión, mediante la técnica de inhibición de la hemaglutinación, en mujeres com embarazo de término y en sus productos al momento del parto. Se estudiaron también 300 lactantes de 2 a 12 meses de edad. Se encontraron títulos de anticuerpos semejantes entre las madres y sus niños recién nacidos, se detectaron niveles protectores de anticuerpos contra el sarampión hasta los 10 meses de edad; los lactantes de 12 meses no alcanzaron estos niveles