Spontaneous rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon in a woman with hypothyroidism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tendinitis can be a presenting complaint in hypothyroidism, with symptomatic relief being obtained by appropriate management of the primary thyroid deficiency. To the best of our knowledge no other cases of spontaneous rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon during uncontrolled hypothyroidism have yet been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes an unusual case of spontaneous rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon in a 48-year-old white woman with severe hypothyroidism. She described experiencing a sudden sharp pain and an audible pop in her right shoulder while using her personal computer. On physical examination she was positive for Yergason's sign and a subsequent magnetic resonance imaging scan showed complete rupture of the long head of her biceps tendon. Laboratory tests revealed significantly elevated thyrotropin levels (>100 µIU/ml) and very low levels of both triiodothyronine (0.17 ng/ml) and free thyroxine (0.18 ng/dl). She was switched to a different thyroxin regimen with a progressive dosage increment. She declined surgical re-anchorage of the tendon but despite the discreet Popeye sign, her overall strength and shoulder function were satisfactory. After 2 months, she was found to be clinically euthyroid, having normal thyroid function tests (thyrotropin 2.95 µIU/mL, free thyroxine 1.07 ng/dl). At her last follow-up visit, 1 year post-injury, she reported nearly normal shoulder function in her daily activities and had a constant shoulder score of 93 points. CONCLUSIONS: The role of thyroid hormones in the synthesis and degeneration of collagen and in the proliferation and apoptosis of human tenocytes is discussed, providing a possible mechanism whereby hypothyroidism may lead to tendon tears. This report may have a greater impact among different subspecialties as it presupposes a high degree of awareness from internists, endocrinologists and orthopedic surgeons.

The influence of intensive physical training on salivary adipokine levels in Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts.

Exercise challenges homeostasis and establishes a new dynamic equilibrium. Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts (RG's) begin exercise at an early age, undergo physical and psychological stress, and adopt negative energy balance to retain a lean physique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of negative energy balance, acute and chronic exercise on salivary adiponectin, resistin and visfatin levels and their interaction with salivary cortisol, and insulin levels in elite RG's. This study is unique in character, as all variables were assessed on the field of competition. The study included 51 elite RG's participating in "Kalamata 2010 World Cup" in Kalamata, Greece on April 2010. Twenty-seven healthy age-matched girls were used as controls. Anthropometric values were assessed; baseline and post exercise salivary cortisol, insulin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin levels were measured. Comparisons regarding hormonal features between RG's and controls were adjusted for BMI and body fat percentage. Salivary adiponectin levels were higher (p<0.05) and visfatin lower (p=0.094) in RG's compared with controls, while no significant changes were observed regarding salivary cortisol, insulin, and resistin levels. In elite RG's acute intensive anaerobic exercise led to increased salivary insulin levels (p<0.001), reduced salivary adiponectin (p<0.001) and visfatin levels (p<0.05), and no changes in salivary resistin levels. Moreover, diurnal variation of salivary cortisol was lost. In elite RG's salivary adiponectin is upregulated and salivary visfatin is downregulated after chronic intensive exercise and negative energy balance, while both salivary adiponectin and visfatin levels are suppressed after short term intensive anaerobic exercise.

The influence of obesity on androstenedione to testosterone ratio in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperandrogenemia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of obesity and insulin resistance on testosterone formation from androstenedione and its contribution to biochemical hyperandrogenemia in all different phenotypic subgroups of PCOS patients. The case-control study included 1087 PCOS women and 206 regularly menstruating, ovulatory controls. The main clinical measurements included anthropometric and basal hormonal characteristics and evaluation of hyperandrogenic and insulin resistance-related features. The results were the following: In PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia, obesity significantly lowers serum A levels and increases T to A ratio. These findings were not present in PCOS women with clinical hypeandrogenemia and in normal ovulatory controls.