The significance of finerenone as a novel therapeutic option in diabetic kidney disease: a scoping review with emphasis on cardiorenal outcomes of the finerenone phase 3 trials.

This scoping review prepared by endocrinology and nephrology experts aimed to address the significance of finerenone, as a novel therapeutic option, in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), based on the biological prospect of cardiorenal benefit due to non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) properties, and the recent evidence from the finerenone phase 3 program clinical trials. The importance of finerenone in slowing DKD progression was critically reviewed in relation to the role of MR overactivation in the pathogenesis of cardiorenal disease and unmet needs in the current practice patterns. The efficacy and safety outcomes of finerenone phase III study program including FIDELIO-DKD, FIGARO-DKD and FIDELITY were presented. Specifically, perspectives on inclusion of patients with preserved estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or high albuminuria, concomitant use of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and insulin treatment, clinically meaningful heart failure outcomes and treatment-induced hyperkalemia were addressed. Finerenone has emerged as a new therapeutic agent that slows DKD progression, reduces albuminuria and risk of cardiovascular complications, regardless of the baseline HbA1c levels and concomitant treatments (SGLT2i, GLP-1 RA, or insulin) and with a favorable benefit-risk profile. The evolving data on the benefit of SGLT2is and non-steroidal MRAs in slowing or reducing cardiorenal risk seem to provide the opportunity to use these pillars of therapy in the management of DKD, after a long-period of treatment scarcity in this field. Along with recognition of the albuminuria as a powerful marker to detect those patients at high risk of cardiorenal disease, these important developments would likely to impact standard-of-care options in the setting of DKD.

The Economic Impact of Obesity in Turkey: A Micro-Costing Analysis.

Background: Turkey currently has the highest obesity prevalence among its European counterparts. 32% and 61% of the population live with obesity and overweight, respectively. Overweight and obesity are linked to non-communicable diseases that incur incremental health and economic costs. The significant public health concern warrants an assessment of the cost of obesity. Methods: A micro-costing approach from the public payer perspective was conducted to estimate direct healthcare costs associated with ten obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs) in Turkey. Clinical practice guidelines and a systematic literature review informed ORCs and the respective cost categories. This was subsequently validated by a steering committee comprising seven experts. Seventy public sector physicians were surveyed to estimate healthcare resource use. Unit costs were derived from Social Security Institute's Healthcare Implementation Communique. Cost items were summed to determine the annual cost per patient per ORC, which was validated by the steering committee. Medical inflation was considered in a scenario analysis that varied resource unit costs. Results: Chronic kidney disease, heart failure and type 2 diabetes are the costliest ORCs, incurring an annual cost of 28,600 TRY, 16,639 TRY and 11,993 TRY, respectively. Individuals in Turkey with any ORC triggered direct healthcare costs ranging 1857-28,600 TRY annually. Costs were driven by tertiary care resources arising from treatment-related adverse events, disease complications and inpatient procedures. In the scenario analysis, medical resource unit costs were inflated by 18.7% and 39.4%, triggering an average increase in cost across all ORCs of 1998 TRY and 4210 TRY, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that obesity and its complications result in significant financial burden to the public healthcare system. By quantifying the burden of obesity across a comprehensive spectrum of ORCs, our study aims to support the economic case for investing in appropriate obesity interventions.

Does total tumour diameter, multifocality, number of tumour foci, or laterality predict lymph node metastasis or recurrence in differentiated thyroid cancer?

INTRODUCTION: Data regarding laterality, focality, or total tumour diameter (TTD) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are limited. We aimed to investigate the impact of focality, TTD, number of tumour foci, or laterality on aggressive features in PTC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were categorized based on maximum tumour diameter (MTD) (≤ 10 vs. > 10 mm), focality, laterality, or the number of tumour foci (1/2/ ≥ 3). We also categorized the patients as follows: Group 1, unifocal microcarcinoma (MTD ≤ 10/TTD ≤ 10 mm); Group 2, multifocal microcarcinoma (MTD ≤ 10/TTD ≤ 10 mm); Group 3, multifocal microcarcinoma (MTD ≤ 10/TTD > 10 mm); Group 4, unifocal macrocarcinoma (MTD > 10/TTD > 10 mm); Group 5, multifocal macrocarcinoma (MTD > 10/TTD > 10 mm). RESULTS: The mean diagnosis age (n = 511) was 44.7 (± 12.7) years, the majority of the patients were < 55 years old (n = 310) and female (n = 416). An increasing number of tumour foci were associated with a higher MTD or TTD, a higher ratio of extrathyroidal extension (ETE), vascular or lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis (LNM) or distant metastasis, or the need for radioactive iodine (RAI). There was no difference in the parameters between Group 3 and Group 2, or Group 4. Vascular invasion, American Thyroid Association high risk, LNM at diagnosis, and RAI total dose were higher in Group 5 than in Group 3. Microscopic or macroscopic ETE, T1b, and T4a were positive predictors for recurrence. Male sex, multifocality, number of tumour foci (≥ 3), MTD (> 10 mm), TTD (> 10 mm), Group 5, microscopic or macroscopic ETE, lymphatic or vascular invasion, RAI need, T2, and T4b were positive predictors for LNM. CONCLUSION: MTD and TTD increase the risk of LNM but not the recurrence in PTC. TTD, multifocality, and bilaterality can be considered risk factors in PTC staging systems and risk calculators.

Comparison of staging and recurrence predictors in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer between the 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems.

BACKGROUND: The predictive value of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8 for recurrence in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is not known. We aimed to compare AJCC 7 and 8 regarding the differences in staging and recurrence predictors in DTC. METHODS: Demographic, clinical (duration of disease and follow-up, the extent of surgery), laboratory (TSH, fT4, thyroglobulin, and antithyroglobulin), pathological (type of thyroid cancer, localization, multifocality, diameter, extrathyroidal extension [ETE], and lymph node [LN] metastasis), and imaging findings (sonography, and whole-body scan), and follow-up features (metastases, recurrence and/or persistence, and RAI need) were retrospectively analyzed in adult patients with DTC followed-up for at least six months. Staging was determined in accordance with AJCC 7 and AJCC 8, prediction of recurrence and persistence by ATA risk stratification, and death risk by AMES systems. The alterations in staging and recurrence predictors were analyzed. RESULTS: A majority of study patients (N.=524) were female (N.=424) and diagnosed with papillary cancer (N.=511), the median age at diagnosis was 44. 97.89% (N.=93) of stage 2-4 patients (N.=95) in AJCC 7 were down-staged in AJCC 8. We down-staged 41 patients of 45-55 years of age into stage 1 in AJCC 8 independent of LN status. A percentage of 26.71% of patients (N.=140) did have persistence, 9.54% (N.=50) persistence at the last follow-up, and 9.54% (N.=50) had recurrence. According to AJCC 8, T4 and AMES high risk were predictors for recurrence (hazard ratio: 3.053, P=0.023; hazard ratio:2.465, and P=0.005; respectively). Both AJCC 7 and 8 were associated with recurrence (P=0.008 and P<0.001, respectively). Stage 4 in AJCC 7, and stages 3 and 4 in AJCC 8 better predicted the probability of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AJCC 8 better predicted the recurrence in DTC than AJCC 7. In AJCC 8, T4 tumor, AMES high risk, stages 3 and 4 predicted recurrence. The vast majority of patients with stages 2-4 in AJCC 7 were down-staged in AJCC 8.

Status of Weight Change, Lifestyle Behaviors, Depression, Anxiety, and Diabetes Mellitus in a Cohort with Obesity during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Turk-Com Study Group.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a lockdown period. Confinement periods have been related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Our study aimed to determine weight change, changes in eating and exercise habits, the presence of depression and anxiety, and diabetes mellitus (DM) status in a cohort of patients with obesity. METHODS: The study was undertaken in nine centers of Collaborative Obesity Management (COM) of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) in Turkey. An e-survey about weight change, eating habits, physical activity status, DM status, depression, and anxiety was completed by patients. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score was used to determine physical activity in terms of metabolic equivalents (METs). A healthy nutrition coefficient was calculated from the different categories of food consumption. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Questionnaire  were used for determining depression and anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-two patients (age 45 ± 12.7 years, W/M = 350/72) were included. The healthy nutrition coefficient before the pandemic was 38.9 ± 6.2 and decreased to 38.1 ± 6.4 during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Two hundred twenty-nine (54.8%) patients gained weight, 54 (12.9%) were weight neutral, and 135 (32.3%) lost weight. Patients in the weight loss group had higher MET scores and higher healthy nutrition coefficients compared with the weight gain and weight-neutral groups (p < 0.001). The PHQ and GAD scores were not different between the groups. Percent weight loss was related to healthy nutrition coefficient (CI: 0.884 [0.821-0.951], p = 0.001) and MET categories (CI: 0.408 [0.222-0.748], p = 0.004). One hundred seventy patients had DM. Considering glycemic control, only 12 (8.4%) had fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL and 36 (25.2%) had postprandial BG <160 mg/dL. When patients with and without DM were compared in terms of dietary compliance, MET category, weight loss status, PHQ-9 scores, and GAD-7 scores, only MET categories were different; 29 (11.7%) of patients in the nondiabetic group were in the highly active group compared with 5 (2.9%) in the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown resulted in weight gain in about half of our patients, which was related to changes in physical activity and eating habits. Patients with DM who had moderate glycemic control were similar to the general population in terms of weight loss but were less active.

Clinical predictors of incipient vertebral fractures and bone mineral density in kidney transplant patients.

PURPOSE: Kidney transplant recipients are prone to metabolic bone diseases and consequent fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of incipient vertebral fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and the clinical factors associated with incipient vertebral fractures in a group of kidney transplant patients. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-four patients (F/M 124/140, 45.3 ± 13 years) who had undergone kidney transplantation in tertiary care centers were included. Vertebral fractures were assessed semiquantitatively using conventional thoracolumbar lateral radiography in 202 of the patients. RESULTS: Vertebral fractures were observed in 56.4% (n = 114) of the study group. The frequency of osteoporosis was 20.0% (53 of 264 patients), and osteopenia was 35.6% (94 of 264 patients). Bone mineral density (BMD) levels were in the normal range in 40.3% (n = 46) of the subjects with vertebral fractures. It was in the osteoporotic range in 20.1% (n = 23) and the osteopenic range in 40.3% (n = 46). Vertebral fractures were associated with age, duration of hemodialysis, BMI, and femoral neck Z score (R2 37.8%, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: As incipient vertebral fractures can be observed in patients with normal BMD levels in kidney transplant recipients, conventional X-ray screening for vertebral fractures may be beneficial for a proper therapy decision of metabolic bone disease in kidney transplant recipients.

Postprandial Glucose Excursions in Asian Versus Non-Asian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of Baseline Data from Phase 3 Randomised Controlled Trials of IDegAsp.

INTRODUCTION: Increased postprandial glucose (PPG) is associated with high glycated haemoglobin levels and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to compare PPG increments in Asian versus non-Asian adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), who were insulin-naïve or insulin-experienced, from the phase 3 insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) clinical trials. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of data from 13 phase 3, randomised, parallel-group, open-label IDegAsp trials in patients with T2D. The pooled baseline clinical data were analysed for insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced groups; and each group was split into subgroups of Asian and non-Asian patients, respectively, and analysed accordingly. Baseline self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) values at breakfast, lunch and the evening meal (before and 90 min after each meal) were used to assess PPG increments. The estimated differences in baseline SMBG increment between the Asian and non-Asian subgroups were analysed. RESULTS: Clinical data from 4750 participants (insulin-naïve, n = 1495; insulin-experienced, n = 3255) were evaluated. In the insulin-naïve group, the postprandial SMBG increment was significantly greater in the Asian versus the non-Asian subgroup at breakfast (estimated difference 28.67 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI] 18.35, 38.99; p < 0.0001), lunch (17.34 mg/dL, 95% CI 6.47, 28.21; p = 0.0018) and the evening meal (16.19 mg/dL, 95% CI 5.04, 27.34; p = 0.0045). In the insulin-experienced group, the postprandial SMBG increment was significantly greater in the Asian versus non-Asian subgroup at breakfast (estimated difference 13.81 mg/dL, 95% CI 9.19, 18.44; p < 0.0001) and lunch (29.18 mg/dL, 95% CI 24.22, 34.14; p < 0.0001), but not significantly different at the evening meal. CONCLUSION: In this post hoc analysis, baseline PPG increments were significantly greater in Asian participants with T2D than in their non-Asian counterparts at all mealtimes, with the exception of the evening meal in insulin-experienced participants. Asian adults with T2D may benefit from the use of regimens that control PPG excursions. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS: NCT02762578, NCT01814137, NCT01513590, NCT01009580, NCT01713530, NCT02648217, NCT01045447, NCT01365507, NCT01045707, NCT01272193, NCT01059812, NCT01680341, NCT02906917.

Does concomitant prolactin measurement increase the accuracy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling?

INTRODUCTION: Prolactin (PRL) measurement during inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) can be helpful to improve the accuracy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of measuring PRL levels as a predictor for the accuracy of IPSS and evaluate its impact on the lateralization of adenomas. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed 51 patients who had undergone IPSS for the investigation of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients had proven Cushing's disease (CD), one had EAS, and the remaining one patient had adrenal adenoma. Forty-seven patients had an above 2 ACTH IPS/P ratio at baseline, and all the post-corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) ACTH IPS/P ratios of patients with proven CD were above 3. In these two patients whose ACTH IPS/P ratio at baseline was below 2, PRL IPS/P ratios were above 1.8 in only the dominant side, which was considered secondary to a prolactin intersinus gradient due to the biological effects of the tumor. PRL-adjusted ACTH IPS/P ratios were > 1.3 in all patients with proven CD; it was 0.7 in the patient with EAS. Surgically confirmed positive lateralization was observed in 55.1% of patients with the ACTH gradient, but when PRL-adjusted ACTH IPS/IPS ratios were used in addition to the ACTH gradient, the ratio increased to 67.3%. CONCLUSION: Although PRL-adjusted ACTH IPS/P ratios can be helpful to improve the accuracy of results during IPSS procedures, a prolactin intersinus gradient towards the ACTH-dominant side in patients with CD may invalidate PRL as an indicator of pituitary venous outflow.

Capillary microarchitectural changes in Cushing's syndrome.

PURPOSE: Macrovascular alterations are prominent in Cushing's syndrome (CS). Microvascular abnormalities are yet to be established. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to evaluate microvascular changes in nailfold capillaries and their association with disease status and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a marker of atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with CS [46 (65.7%) ACTH-dependent pituitary adenoma and 24 (34.3%) adrenocortical adenomas] and 100 healthy controls were enrolled. The microvascular structure was evaluated using nailfold video-capillaroscopy (NVC). RESULTS: The median number of capillaries was less [10 mm (IQR: 2, min-max:7-14) vs. 11 mm (IQR: 2, min-max:9-19) (p < 0.001)], the median limb diameter and capillary width were wider in the CS group than in the controls (p = 0.016 and p = 0.002, respectively). Microhemorrhages within limited areas were more frequent in the CS group than in the controls (p = 0.046). Observed capillary changes were similar among the patients with CS with remission or active disease. CIMT levels were higher in the CS group than in the controls and similar in subjects with active disease and remission. Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the number of capillaries and capillary widths were associated with body mass index (BMI), the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, and CIMT. CONCLUSION: Morphologic alterations present similarly in nailfold capillaries in subjects with CS regardless of disease status, resembling changes in chronic atherosclerotic diseases. Microvascular changes in nailfold capillaries measured using NVC can be used as a marker in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients with CS.

Intensification of Insulin Treatment With Insulin Degludec/Aspart in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A 2-Year Real-World Experience.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) coformulation as an intensification of insulin treatment for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a long term real-world clinical setting. Materials and Methods: This retrospective non-interventional study, included 210 patients with T2D who to IDegAsp coformulation from prior insulin treatment in a tertiary endocrinology center between September 2017 and December 2019. The baseline data was taken as the index date and defined as the first IDegAsp prescription claim. Previous insulin treatment modalities, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and body weight were recorded, respectively at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th months of the IDegAsp treatment. Results: Out of the total 210 patients, 166 patients under insulin treatment switched to twice-daily IDegAsp treatment, 35 patients switched to once daily IDegAsp and twice premeal short-acting insulin regimen as a modified basal-bolus (BB) treatment, and nine patients commenced with once-daily IDegAsp treatment. HbA1c decreased from 9.2% ± 1.9% to 8.2% ± 1.6% in 6 months, 8.2% ± 1.7% in the first year, and 8.1% ± 1.6% in the second year of the therapy (p< 0.001). FPG decreased from 209.0 ± 85.0 mg/dL to 147.0 ± 62.6 mg/dL in the second year (p< 0.001). The required total daily dose of insulin increased in the second year of IDegAsp treatment compared to baseline. However, there was a borderline significance increase in IDegAsp requirement for the whole group at the two-year follow-up (p = 0.05). Patients who were administered twice daily IDegAsp injections required more total insulin in the first and second years due to added premeal short-acting insulin injections (p < 0.05). The frequency of patients with HbA1c < 7% was 31.8% in first year and 35.8% in second year under IDegAsp treatment.Insulin dose was de-escalated in 28.5% of the patients under BB treatment, while 15% under twice-daily IDegAsp required increased BB treatment. Conclusion: Intensification of insulin treatment with IDegAsp coformulation improved glycemic control in patients with T2D. The total daily insulin requirement increased but the IDegAsp requirement lightly increased at the two-year follow-up. Patients under BB treatment required de-escalation of insulin treatment.

Identifying Clinical Characteristics of Hypoparathyroidism in Turkey: HIPOPARATURK-NET Study.

Hypoparathyroidism is an orphan disease with ill-defined epidemiology that is subject to geographic variability. We conducted this study to assess the demographics, etiologic distribution, treatment patterns and complication frequency of patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism in Turkey. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional database study, with collaboration of 30 endocrinology centers located in 20 cities across seven geographical regions of Turkey. A total of 830 adults (mean age 49.6 ± 13.5 years; female 81.2%) with hypoparathyroidism (mean duration 9.7 ± 9.0 years) were included in the final analysis. Hypoparathyroidism was predominantly surgery-induced (n = 686, 82.6%). The insulting surgeries was carried out mostly due to benign causes in postsurgical group (SG) (n = 504, 73.5%) while patients in nonsurgical group (NSG) was most frequently classified as idiopathic (n = 103, 71.5%). The treatment was highly dependent on calcium salts (n = 771, 92.9%), calcitriol (n = 786, 94.7%) and to a lower extent cholecalciferol use (n = 635, 76.5%) while the rate of parathyroid hormone (n = 2, 0.2%) use was low. Serum calcium levels were most frequently kept in the normal range (sCa 8.5-10.5 mg/dL, n = 383, 46.1%) which might be higher than desired for this patient group. NSG had a lower mean plasma PTH concentration (6.42 ± 5.53 vs. 9.09 ± 7.08 ng/l, p < 0.0001), higher daily intake of elementary calcium (2038 ± 1214 vs. 1846 ± 1355 mg/day, p = 0.0193) and calcitriol (0.78 ± 0.39 vs. 0.69 ± 0.38 mcg/day, p = 0.0057), a higher rate of chronic renal disease (9.7% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.0017), epilepsy (6.3% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.0009), intracranial calcifications (11.8% vs. 7.3%, p < 0.0001) and cataracts (22.2% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.0096) compared to SG. In conclusion, postsurgical hypoparathyroidism is the dominant etiology of hypoparathyroidism in Turkey while the nonsurgical patients have a higher disease burden with greater need for medications and increased risk of complications than the postsurgical patients.

Serum osteoprotegerin levels, endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a well-known protein that inhibits osteoclast formation and activity, might also be a potential marker for identifying patients with high cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to compare OPG levels, FMD, and CIMT measurements in subjects with vs. without diabetes and investigate the association of serum osteoprotegerin level with the early atherosclerotic markers, endothelial function, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). METHODS: Forty-nine patients with DM2 (F/M: 26/23, 49.3 ± 10.0 years) and 45 healthy volunteers (F/M: 26/19, 48.3 ± 7.5 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum OPG levels were measured by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c levels were measured. CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound, and endothelial function was evaluated via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery with Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Serum OPG levels were significantly higher in patients with DM2 (617.0 ± 111.0 pg/mL) compared to controls (481.0 ± 96.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001). While CIMT in diabetic patients (0.65 + 0.13 mm) was higher than controls (0.54 ± 0.10 mm, p = 0.009), FMD measurement was lower in DM2 group (4.2% ± 3.1 mm vs. 7.6% ± 4.1 mm, p = 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that OPG was associated with the presence of diabetes (OR: 6.999, p = 0.001, R2: 15.1%) and hypertension (OR = 6.925, p = 0.001, R2: 13.2%). There was no relationship between OPG levels and CIMT or FMD. CONCLUSION: Osteoprotegerin and CIMT levels were increased, and FMD measurements were decreased in patients with DM2. No association between CIMT, FMD, and OPG measurements was observed. The presence of DM and hypertension were associated with circulating OPG levels.

Evaluation of health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of undergraduate students by cardiovascular risk factors.

AIM: To determine the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk (CVR) factors in university students and evaluate how these factors are affected from the knowledge, attitudes, and habits of the individuals regarding healthy lifestyle. BACKGROUND: Starting from early ages, lifestyle habits such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating, and inappropriate drug use increase CV and metabolic risks of individuals. METHODS: In April-May 2018, sociodemographic characteristics of 770 undergraduate students, in addition to their knowledge, attitudes, and habits regarding their nutrition and physical activity status were obtained through face-to-face questionnaires. CVR factors were determined according to blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol levels, and anthropometric measurements. Collected data were compared by CVR factor presence (CV[+] or CV[-]) in students. FINDINGS: The mean age of the participants was 22.3 ± 2.6 years. 59.6% were female and 71.5% were students of non-health sciences. In total, 274 individuals (35.9%) belonged to CV(+) group (mean risk number: 1.3 ± 0.5) with higher frequency in males (42.1% versus 31.6%, P < 0.05). The most common CVR factors were smoking (20.6%), high total cholesterol (7.5%), and hypertension/high blood pressure (6.0%). 15.5% of the participants regularly used at least one drug/non-pharmaceutical product. 11.3% complied the Mediterranean diet well. 21.9% of CV(+) stated consuming fast food at lunch compared to 14.3% of CV(-) (P < 0.05). 44.6% stated exercising below the CV-protective level. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed one-third of university students was at CVR, independent of their sociodemographic characteristics. Furthermore, the students appear to perform below expectations in terms of nutrition and physical activity. Extensive additional measures are needed to encourage young individuals for healthy nutritional and physical activity habits.

Use of Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Expert Panel Recommendations on Appropriate Practice Patterns.

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed-ratio co-formulation of insulin degludec (IDeg), which provides long-lasting basal insulin coverage, and insulin aspart (IAsp), which targets post-prandial glucose. This expert panel aimed to provide a practical and implementable guidance document to assist clinicians in prescribing IDegAsp in the diabetes management with respect to different patient populations including children and adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) as well as pregnant, elderly and hospitalized patients and varying practice patterns (insulin-naive, insulin-treated, switching from basal, basal bolus and premix regimens). The experts recommended that IDegAsp can be used in insulin-naive T2D patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%) despite optimal oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) as well as in insulin-treated T2D patients by switching from basal insulin, basal-bolus therapy or premixed insulins in relation to lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia, fewer injections and lower intraday glycemic variability, respectively. The experts considered the use of IDegAsp in children with T2D as a basal bolus alternative rather than as an alternative to basal insulin after metformin failure, use of IDegAsp in adult T1D patients as a simplified basal bolus regimen with lesser nocturnal hypoglycemia, fewer injections and better fasting plasma glucose control and in children with T1D as an alternative insulin regimen with fewer injection to increase treatment adherence. The proposed expert opinion provides practical information on use of IDegAsp in different patient populations and practice patterns to assist clinicians, which seems to compensate the need for easily implementable guidance on this novel insulin regimen.

Preoperative plasmapheresis in patients with Graves' disease intolerant to antithyroid drugs.

Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are the mainstay of treatment for Graves' disease with possible detrimental adverse effects. Surgery or radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation is the second choice among the treatment options in cases of non-remission. Normalization of serum thyroid hormone levels as much as possible is required before surgery or RAI to prevent thyrotoxic crisis in patients with uncontrolled Graves' disease. In recent decades, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used in the treatment of thyroid storm, drug-induced hepatotoxicity and agranulocytosis, or patients with hyperthyroidism scheduled for emergency surgery. TPE is an effective method to reduce serum FT3, FT4, and TRAB levels in severe hyperthyroid conditions. Although TPE-related complications are rare, the risk of bleeding needs to be taken into consideration in patients who were scheduled for surgery within 24 h after TPE. In terms of reducing intraoperative bleeding, patients can be referred to surgery 24-48 h after TPE, or fresh frozen plasma transfusion can be the preferred treatment for emergency cases.

Skin Autofluorescence and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Evaluation Following Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Severe Obesity.

PURPOSE: Advanced glycation end product (AGE) is a marker of metabolic memory. Accumulated AGEs in skin collagen measured with skin autofluorescence (SAF) was found to be associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate SAF and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its association with clinical and biochemical parameters in severely obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observational study, 432 morbid obese patients evaluated before and after 6 and 12 months of bariatric surgery for metabolic and anthropometric parameters, CIMT and SAF. SAF was assessed in the forearm with an AGE Reader. RESULTS: SAF measurements were higher in diabetic (2.04 ± 0.52 AU) obese patients compared to non-diabetic (1.78 ± 0.40 AU) obese patients (p < 0.0001). Although bariatric surgery-induced weight loss resulted in a decrease in CIMT in the 6th and 12th months compared to baseline, weight loss and metabolic improvements were not associated with a parallel decrease in SAF measurements. SAF measurements were positively correlated with body mass index (r 0.527, p < 0.0001), HbA1c (r 0.362, p < 0.0001), and CIMT (r 0.319, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed the presence of diabetes (but not BMI, age, and sex) was independently associated with SAF (R2 = 7.62%), and the presence of diabetes, low-density cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with CIMT measurements (R2 = 21.7%). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery-induced weight loss and metabolic improvement were found to be associated with improvement in CIMT, while skin AGE accumulation was not regressed in the first year of surgery.

Clinical and demographic aspects of Paget disease of bone: A multicentric study from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Paget disease of bone (PDB) is a metabolic bone disease that has been rarely reported in the Eastern countries. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with PDB followed up at endocrinology clinics in Turkey. METHODS: An invitation was sent to tertiary endocrinology clinics to complete a survey on the demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory parameters, as well as treatment modalities of patients with PDB. This study enrolled clinically and radiologically proven 185 patients with PDB from 18 endocrinology centers based in 10 cities of Turkey. RESULTS: This cohort of PDB had female preponderance (women/men: 105/80) with a mean age, during diagnosis, of 57±10 years. Most of the patients (59.6%) were symptomatic at diagnosis. Bone pain and headache were the predominant clinical symptoms. Polyostotic disease was observed in 67.5% (n=125) of patients. Frequently affected bones were skull (41.6%), pelvis (53.5%), spine (41%), and femur (25.4%). Moreover, 17 patients with skull involvement had hearing loss. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level (552±652 IU/L; range: 280-5762 IU/L) was over the normal reference cutoff with normal serum calcium levels. Intravenous bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid, 5 mg; pamidronate, 60-90 mg) were the most used drugs (75%) for the treatment of PDB. Most of the patients (87.1%) treated with intravenous bisphosphonates responded well, with a decrease in serum ALP level (117±114 IU/L) in the 12th month of therapy. Furthermore, 16 patients relapsed after the second year of therapy; 3 patients did not respond to the initial intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. CONCLUSION: The patients with PDB followed up by endocrinology clinics of Turkey exhibited polyostotic disease with classical clinical, radiological, and biochemical features and women's predominance with good response to intravenous bisphosphonate therapy.

Updated approach for the management of osteoporosis in Turkey: a consensus report.

As a result of the current demographics, increased projections of osteoporosis (OP) and prevalence of the disease in Turkey, a panel of multidisciplinary experts developed a thorough review to assist clinicians in identifying OP and associated fracture risk patients, diagnosing the disease with the appropriate available diagnostic methods, classifying the disease, and initiating appropriate treatment. The panel expects to increase the awareness of this prevalent disease, decrease consequences of OP with corresponding cost savings and, ultimately, decrease the overall burden of OP and related fractures in Turkey. BACKGROUND: OP is not officially accepted as a chronic disease in Turkey despite the high prevalence and predicted increase in the following years. However, there are areas where the country is performing well, such as having a country-specific fracture risk assessment model, DXA access, and the uptake of FRAX. Additional efforts are required to decrease the existing treatment gap estimating 75-90% of patients do not receive pharmacological intervention for secondary prevention, and the diagnosis rate is around 25%. METHODS: A selected panel of Turkish experts in fields related to osteoporosis was provided with a series of relevant questions to address prior to the multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited by the entire group, through numerous drafts and rounds of discussion until a consensus was achieved. Represented in the panel were a number of societies including The Turkish Osteoporosis Society, The Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Turkey (SEMT), and The Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. RESULTS: Standardized general guidelines to identify OP and related fractures and at-risk population in Turkey, which will enable clinicians to accurately and effectively diagnose the disease, treat the appropriate patients with available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and decrease the burden of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This manuscript provides a review of the current state of OP and related fractures in Turkey. Moreover, this manuscript reviews current international guidelines and national studies and proposes a number of helpful country-specific classifications that can be used by healthcare providers caring for the at-risk population. Additionally, the panel proposes practical recommendations that should be implemented nationally in order to decrease the burden of OP and related fractures and effectively preventing the burden in future generations.

Serum ICAM-1 level and ICAM-1 gene 1462A>G (K469E) polimorphism on microalbuminuria in nondiabetic, nonhypertensive and normolipidemic obese patients: Genetical background of microalbuminuria in obesity / Polimorfismo 1462A>G (K469E) del gen ICAM-1 y nivel sérico de ICAM-1 en la oligoalbuminuria de pacientes obesos no diabéticos, no hipertensos y normolipidémicos: acervo genético de la oligoalbuminuria en la obesidad

Background: A growing body of evidence suggest that obese individuals are under risk of renal parenchymal disorders when compared to nonobese counterparts. Microalbuminuria is the early marker of renal involvement. Although most of obese patients carries multiple risk factors for microalbuminuria, some obese individuals without risk factor may progress to microalbuminuria. The present study was performed to examine the role of ICAM-1 gene 1462A>G (K469E) polymorphism on microalbuminuria in obese subjects without diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hiperlipidemia and older age. Methods: Ninety eight obese and 96 nonobese individuals without a comorbidity enrolled into the study. Serum ICAM-1 level was measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) method. ICAM-1 gene 1462A>G (K469E) polymorphism was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). Nepholometric method was used to examine urinary albumin loss, and microalbuminuria was measured by albumin to creatinine ratio. Results: Obese individuals had significantly higher microalbuminuria and proteinuria level compared to nonobese subjects (p: 0.043 and p: 0.011; respectively). GG genotype of ICAM-1 carriers have significantly higher microalbuminuria compared to individuals with AA or AG genotype carriers (p: 0.042). Serum ICAM-1 level was significantly correlated with creatinine and microalbuminuria (p: 0.002 and p: 0.03; respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated a 7.39 fold increased risk of microalbuminuria in individuals with GG genotype of ICAM-1 gene 1462A>G (K469E) polymorphism. Conclusions: GG genotype of ICAM-1 gene K469E polymorphism is associated with increased microalbuminuria in obese individuals without another metabolic risk factor (AU)

Introducción: Un conjunto de datos en aumento indica que los individuos obesos corren más riesgo de sufrir trastornos del parénquima renal si se los compara con sus homólogos no obesos. La oligoalbuminuria es un primer rasgo de afectación renal. Aunque la mayoría de los pacientes obesos presentan múltiples factores de riesgo de oligoalbuminuria, esta puede manifestarse en algunos individuos obesos sin factores de riesgo. El presente estudio se realizó para analizar el papel del polimorfismo 1462A>G (K469E) del gen ICAM-1 en la oligoalbuminuria de individuos obesos sin diabetes mellitus, hipertensión, hiperlipidemia ni vejez. Métodos: Para el estudio fueron reclutados 98 individuos obesos y 96 individuos no obesos sin comorbilidad. Se midió el nivel sérico de ICAM-1 mediante el ensayo de inmunoabsorción enzimática (ELISA). Se analizó el polimorfismo 1462A>G (K469E) del gen ICAM-1 por reacción en cadena de la polimerasay polimorfismo de longitud de los fragmentos de restricción (RFLP-PCR). El método nefolométrico se utilizó para analizar la pérdida urinaria de albúmina, y la oligoalbuminuria se midió con la tasa de albúmina/creatinina. Resultados: Los individuos obesos presentaron unos niveles de oligoalbuminuria y proteinuria considerablemente más elevados que los individuos no obesos (p: 0,043 y p: 0,011, respectivamente). La oligoalbuminuria en los portadores del genotipo GG de ICAM-1 fue bastante mayor que la de los portadores del genotipo AA o AG (p: 0,042). El nivel sérico de ICAM-1 se correlacionó notablemente con la creatinina y la oligoalbuminuria (p: 0,002 y p: 0,03, respectivamente). El análisis de regresión logística mostró un riesgo 7,39 veces mayor de oligoalbuminuria en los individuos con el genotipo GG del polimorfismo 1462A>G (K469E) del gen ICAM-1. Conclusiones: El genotipo GG del polimorfismo 1462A>G (K469E) del gen ICAM-1 se asocia con un aumento de la oligoalbuminuria en personas obesas sin otro factor de riesgo metabólico (AU)