Reduced insulin sensitivity in differentiated thyroid cancer patients with suppressed TSH.

OBJECTIVE: TSH-suppression is a therapy for thyroid cancer management, but it may lead to adverse effects, which should be balanced with its benefits. Previous studies evaluating the consequences of TSH suppression on insulin sensitivity have only been done with indirect techniques, and results were controversial. Therefore, we aimed to assess insulin sensitivity in patients with thyroid cancer and suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with the most appropriate direct method (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) in order to get a more conclusive response about the topic. METHODS: A group of 20 non-obese and non-diabetic thyroid cancer patients with suppressed TSH underwent a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to evaluate insulin sensitivity. Their results were compared to the results of a sex and body mass index (BMI) -paired control group composed of 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Patients were all female, aged 36.8 ± 10.2 years-old, with mean TSH 0.1 ± 0.1 µIU/mL and mean BMI 26.2 ± 3.3 kg/m2. Insulin sensitivity, determined by the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (M-value), was lower in the patients group (4.2 ± 1.6 mg/min*kg versus 5.8 ± 1.7, age-adjusted p-value = 0.0205). CONCLUSION: This study shows for the first time that subclinical thyrotoxicosis in patients with thyroid cancer is associated with insulin resistance, as measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. Such finding may be taken into consideration by clinicians when balancing risks and benefits of TSH-suppression therapy in thyroid cancer patients.

Factors related to mortality in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer in long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC). They have different biological behavior but are frequently analyzed together in studies. We aimed to identify factors associated with mortality in those two different cancer subtypes. METHODS: Case series study, with clinical-pathological analysis of the characteristics of 424 patients with PTC and 89 patients with FTC, correlating them to survival rates in a single institution. RESULTS: Patients were followed from 1983 to 2011. Mean follow-up time was 9.4 years for FTC (range 1-36.6 years) and 6.8 years for PTC (range 1.1-30.7 years). Mean age at diagnosis was 51.2 ± 15.5 for FTC and 41 ± 14.7 years for PTC. 50.62% of FTC nodules sized 1.1-4 cm and 20% of PTC sized ≤1 cm. Cox multiple regression analysis evidenced distant metastasis at diagnosis (p = 0.0038; relative risk (RR) 41.247, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.317-512.986), lymph node metastasis at diagnosis (p = 0.0081; RR 50.98, 95% CI 2.783-934.026) and vascular/lymphatic invasion (p = 0.0039; RR 40.424, 95% CI 3.287-497.177) as factors related to mortality in FTC patients. For PTC, the factors were distant metastasis at diagnosis (p < 0.0001; RR 32.5, 95% CI 6.676-158.543) and degree of differentiation (poor versus well differentiated, p = 0.003; RR 10.4, 95% CI 2.218-49.487). CONCLUSION: The common factor that influenced mortality for FTC and PTC patients was distant metastasis at diagnosis, increasing mortality rate by 41 times in FTC and 30 times in PTC patients. The different factors influencing mortality for different DTC types highlight the importance of analyzing them separately.

Interplay between Body Size Measures and Thyroid Cancer Aggressiveness: A Retrospective Analysis.

Considering controversial data about the relationship between body size and prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), the current study aimed to assess the influence of body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) on DTC. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients' records from the Thyroid Cancer Unit, assessing body size measures, clinical and laboratory prognostic factors, and disease evolution. 337 patients, aged 45.95 ± 13.04 years old, with BMI of 27.87 ± 5.13 kg/m2 and BSA of 1.74 ± 0.18 m2 were enrolled. After 9.5 ± 6.9 years of follow-up, 87.29% of patients were disease-free and 12.71% had persistent disease; no patient had deceased. Patients aged <45 years old with extrathyroidal invasion tumor had greater baseline body weight and BSA than those without extrathyroidal invasion (median 79.5 kg versus 67 kg and 1.85 m2 versus 1.74 m2). Women with poorly differentiated tumor and patients aged ≥45 years old with distant metastasis presented greater weight loss during follow-up compared to patients without such characteristics (median -2 kg versus +1.5 kg and -3 kg versus +1 kg, respectively). The relationship between body size and DTC evolution was not observed. In conclusion, higher weight and BSA were associated with a greater chance of extrathyroidal tumor invasion in younger patients. Specific subgroups of patients with aggressive disease presented higher weight loss. Young patients with higher BSA should be carefully treated due to possible worse prognosis related to increased incidence of extrathyroid invasion. Findings related to tumor aggressiveness and weight loss in specific groups deserve further mechanistic studies.

[Familial nommedullary thyroid cancer]. / Carcinoma não medular familiar da tiróide.

Nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma, originating from thyroid epithelial cells, is the most frequent thyroid malignant neoplasia. Since 1955, there has been increasing evidence that this cancer may have a familial predisposition. It is now established that around 4.2% of all nonmedullary thyroid carcinomas occurs on the background of familial predisposition. These cases are often more aggressive, due to early onset, multifocality and a higher percentual of recurrences. An autossomal dominant inheritance pattern appears likely in most families, although the exact genes responsible for this syndrome have not yet been identified. Patients affected by this cancer should be treated with total thyroidectomy routinely and, in most cases, lymph node dissection, followed by iodine ablation and TSH suppressive therapy with levothyroxine. Some authors also recommend that first-degree relatives of patients with nonmedullary thyroid cancer (especially women) should be submitted to neck ultrasound for thyroid cancer screening, aiming early diagnosis for better treatment results.

Low BMI and low TSH value as risk factors related to lower bone mineral density in postmenospausal women under levothyroxine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) includes suppression of TSH with levothyroxine therapy, which may negatively influence bone mineral density (BMD), but the effects are controversial. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between TSH-suppressive therapy and BMD in postmenopausal women with DTC. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study that assessed BMD by densitometry and risk factors for decreased BMD in 109 postmenopausal women under TSH-suppressive therapy for DTC, compared to an age-matched euthyroid women control group. Conditions that might have affected BMD were exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Patients were 58.4 ± 8.3 years-old, mean serum TSH was 0.21 ± 0.28µIU/ml. In BMD evaluation, T-scores were -1.09 ± 1.43 SD (lumbar spine) and -0.12 ± 1.18 SD (total femur). No significant differences were found between lumbar or femoral T-scores of patients and control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evidenced that low BMI and low mean TSH levels (assessed in the year of BMD measurement) were factors significantly related to lower lumbar and spinal BMD. CONCLUSION: Although low TSH levels and low BMI were correlated with lower BMD, it was not observed an increased prevalence of osteopenia or osteoporosis in this cohort of post-menopausal women under levothyroxine treatment for DTC, when compared to age-matched control women. Nevertheless, such risk factors should be carefully observed in individual patients at high risk of decrease in BMD.

Custo-efetividade da empagliflozina em pacientes com diabetes mellitus do tipo 2 com alto risco cardiovascular na perspectiva da saúde suplementar / Cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with high cardiovascular risk in the Brazilian private healthcare system perspective

Objetivo: Avaliar a custo-efetividade da empagliflozina adicionada ao cuidado usual para tratamento de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) no cenário da saúde suplementar brasileira. Métodos: Foi utilizada simulação de eventos discretos, com dados de efetividade baseados no estudo EMPA-REG OUTCOME. Foram incluídos pacientes com DM2 e alto risco cardiovascular (histórico de cardiopatia isquêmica, acidente vascular cerebral ou doença vascular periférica). O horizonte temporal foi o tempo de vida; a taxa de desconto foi de 5% ao ano. Os dados de utilidade foram predominantemente de estudos brasileiros. Para estimar os custos de eventos/condições com diferença estatisticamente significativa no EMPA-REG OUTCOME (insuficiência cardíaca, diálise, morte cardiovascular), foi feita uma revisão sistemática, que identificou estudos com dados da saúde suplementar. O limiar de disposição a pagar utilizado foi 1 produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita (2017: R$ 31.587). Foram conduzidas análises de sensibilidade determinísticas e probabilísticas. Resultados: No caso-base, a empagliflozina gerou ganho de 0,66 ano de vida ajustado para qualidade (QALY) na comparação com o cuidado usual, com acréscimo de R$ 12.630 e relação de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) de R$ 18.895/QALY. Na análise determinística, nenhuma variação de parâmetro resultou em RCEI acima do limiar. A análise probabilística teve RCEI média de R$ 19.878/QALY (intervalo de credibilidade de 2,5% a 97,5%: R$ 5.237-R$ 36.451). Considerando 1 PIB per capita, 50% das simulações seriam custo-efetivas; para 2 PIB per capita, o percentual ultrapassaria 90%. Conclusão: Considerando o limiar de custo-efetividade adotado, de 1 PIB per capita, a empagliflozina se mostrou custo-efetiva em relação ao cuidado usual na perspectiva da saúde suplementar brasileira.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin added to usual care in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the private healthcare sector. Methods: We used a discrete events simulation model with effectiveness data based on the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. The population included patients with T2DM at high cardiovascular risk (history of ischemic heart disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease). A lifetime horizon and a 5% annual discount rate were used. The utility data used were predominantly from Brazilian studies. To estimate the cost of events/conditions with statistically significant difference in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (heart failure, dialysis, cardiovascular death), a systematic review was performed to identify studies with data from the private healthcare system. A willingness-to-pay threshold of 1 GDP per capita (2017: R$ 31,587) was considered. Deterministic sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed. Results: In the base case, empagliflozin generated incremental 0.66 QALY as compared to usual care, with an added cost of R$ 12,630 and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of R$ 18,895/QALY. None of the parameter variations evaluated by deterministic analysis generated ICERs above the cost-effectiveness threshold. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed mean ICER of R$ 19,878/QALY (credibility interval 2.5% to 97.5%: R$ 5,237 to R$ 36,451). Considering 1 GDP per capita, 50% of the simulations would be cost-effective; considering 2 GDP per capita, over 90% would be cost-effective. Conclusion: Considering a threshold of 1 GDP per capita, the study shows that empagliflozin was cost-effective from the perspective of the Brazilian private healthcare sector.

Linagliptin: farmacology, efficacy and safety in type 2 diabetes treatment.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a high prevalence and incidence around the world. The complex pathophysiology mechanism is among the barriers for diabetes treatment. Type 2 diabetes patients have dysfunction in incretin hormones (as glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide or GIP). By inhibiting the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme, it is possible to slow the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP, promoting blood glucose level reduction in a glucose-dependent manner. Linagliptin is a highly specific and potent inhibitor of DPP-4 that is currently indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Clinical studies with linagliptin demonstrated efficacy in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in type 2 diabetes patients, while maintaining a placebo-like safety and tolerability profile. Linagliptin has an interesting pharmacokinetic profile in terms of its predominantly non-renal elimination and the main implication of this characteristic is that no dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal disease. Also, no dose adjustment is required in patients with hepatic insufficiency, as well in elderly or obese patients. This article will review the pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy data and safety aspects of linagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients.

Índice de hospitalização e custos associados à doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) entre estados que padronizaram versus que não padronizaram o tiotrópio ­ dados do mundo real / Hospitalization rates and costs associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among states standardized versus not standardized tiotropium ­ real-world data

Objetivo: Avaliar, por meio de dados do mundo real (DATASUS) e análises estatísticas, o impacto da inclusão do tiotrópio no tratamento da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), comparando o índice de hospitalização e custos associados à internação nos estados que possuem o tiotrópio padronizado em suas diretrizes de tratamento comparados aos estados que não o incluem. Método: Estudo retrospectivo histórico realizado entre 2013 e 2015, a partir de dados obtidos do DATASUS, portais de compras públicas estaduais e Secretarias de Saúde Estaduais. Todos os índices foram normalizados pelo número da população, de acordo com os dados atualizados do IBGE. Foi utilizado o teste Z para avaliar a significância estatística dos resultados. Resultados: A análise combinada do grupo com tiotrópio apresentou 52,4% menos hospitalizações em comparação ao grupo sem tiotrópio (90,0/100.000 versus 43,3/100.000, respectivamente, p < 0,01). O gasto total para o sistema único de saúde com hospitalização por DPOC foi de R$ 2,3 milhões e R$ 4,8 milhões para o grupo com tiotrópio vs. grupo sem tiotrópio, respectivamente (p = 0,0003). Houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto ao número total e gastos totais de internação por DPOC, nos estados nos quais o tiotrópio estava padronizado e nos estados sem o tiotrópio padronizado. Conclusão: A análise dos resultados sugere redução significativa no número de internações por DPOC e seus respectivos gastos nos estados nos quais o tiotrópio está padronizado.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the inclusion of tiotropium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using real world data (DATASUS) and statistical analyzes, comparing hospitalization rates and costs associated with hospitalization in states where tiotropium is reimbursed in their treatment guidelines compared to states where tiotropium is not included. Method: A retrospective historical study conducted between 2013 and 2015, based on data obtained from DATASUS, state public purchasing portals and State Health Secretariats. All indexes were normalized by the number of the population, according to the IBGE updated data. The Z tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the results. Results: The combined analysis of the tiotropium reimbursed group presented 52.4% fewer hospitalizations compared to the tiotropium non-reimbursed group (90.0/100,000 versus 43.3/100,000, respectively). The total expenditure for the public healthcare system with hospitalization for COPD was R$ 2.3 million and R$ 4.8 million for the tiotropium group vs. the non-tiotropium group, respectively. Statistical analysis, both in total number and total costs of hospitalization for COPD, showed a statistically significant difference in the states in which tiotropium was reimbursed vs non-reimbursed. Conclusion: Analysis of the results suggests a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations due to COPD in the states in which tiotropium is reimbursed, as well as a reduction in the total expenditure related to hospitalizations associated with COPD.

Custo-utilidade da empagliflozina em pacientes diabéticos do tipo 2 com alto risco cardiovascular na perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde / Cost-utility of empagliflozin in type 2 diabetic patients with high cardiovascular risk in the Brazilian Public Healthcare System perspective

Objetivo: Realizar uma análise de custo-utilidade de empagliflozina em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) e alto risco cardiovascular. Métodos: O modelo empregado foi uma simulação de eventos discretos, com dados baseados na incidência de eventos cardiovasculares do ensaio clínico EMPA-REG OUTCOME. A população-alvo foi de sujeitos com DM2 e alto risco cardiovascular (histórico de cardiopatia isquêmica, acidente vascular cerebral ou doença vascular periférica). O horizonte temporal foi o de tempo de vida; a taxa de desconto, de 5% ao ano; e a perspectiva, a do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os dados de utilidade foram obtidos de estudos brasileiros e internacionais. Os custos refletiram valores desembolsados pelo SUS. Foram conduzidas análises de sensibilidade determinísticas nos principais parâmetros e probabilística para avaliar a robustez global dos resultados. Resultados: No caso-base, a empagliflozina gerou 0,66 ano de vida ajustados para qualidade (QALY) a mais, com custo de R$ 19.176 maior, gerando relação de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) de R$ 28.960/QALY. As análises de sensibilidade univariadas mostraram oscilações da RCEI entre R$ 23.644 e R$ 38.850/QALY, sendo este valor mais alto de RCEI resultante da variação do valor de utilidade de pacientes com diabetes. Na análise probabilística, os percentis 2,5% e 97,5% foram de R$ 22.336 a R$ 39.571/QALY. Conclusão: O estudo mostrou uma RCEI de R$ 28.960/QALY, estando abaixo do valor de uma vez o produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita (R$ 30.407 em 2016), sendo, portanto, uma tecnologia custo-efetiva, considerando esse limiar. Na análise probabilística, o intervalo de credibilidade mostrou que a RCEI pode oscilar entre 0,73 e 1,30 PIB per capita, sendo, portanto, uma estimativa robusta.

Objective: To perform a cost-utility analysis of empagliflozin in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with high cardiovascular risk. Methods: The model was a discrete events simulation, with data based on the incidence of cardiovascular events in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME clinical trial. The target population was composed by patients with T2D and high cardiovascular risk (history of ischemic heart disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease). We used a lifetime horizon, 5% discount rate and the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (SUS) perspective. Utility data were based both on Brazilian and international data. Costs employed reflected reimbursement SUS values. We conducted deterministic sensitivity analysis in main model parameters and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis to globally evaluate robustness of the results. Results: In the base case, empagliflozin generated incremental 0.66 QALY and R$ 19,176, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of R$ 28,960/QALY. Univariate sensitivity analysis showed variations in the ICER between R$ 23,644 and R$ 38,850/QALY, with the diabetes status utility the variable with most influence in the ICER. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, 2.5% and 97.5% percentiles were R$ 22,336 and R$ 39,571/QALY. Conclusion: The study showed an ICER of R$ 28,960/QALY, which is below the value of one GDP per capita in Brazil (R$ 30,407 in 2016), which would therefore be deemed cost-effective under this threshold. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, credible interval ranged between 0.73 and 1.30 per capita GDP, therefore showing robust results.

Custo-efetividade do afatinibe versus pemetrexede associado a cisplatina, erlotinibe e gefitinibe no tratamento de primeira linha de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células localmente avançado ou metastático, com mutação do receptor do fator de crescimento epidermoide (EGFR+), na perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar do Brasil / Cost-effectiveness of afatinib versus pemetrexed plus cisplatin, erlotinib and gefitinib as first line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (EFGR+) non-small cell lung cancer in the Brazilian private healthcare system

Objetivo: Comparar os custos e efetividade do afatinibe versus pemetrexede associado a cisplatina (PEM/CIS), erlotinibe e gefitinibe no tratamento de primeira linha de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células (CPNPC) com mutação no receptor de fator de crescimento epidermoide (EGFR+) localmente avançado ou metastático, no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro. Métodos: O modelo de Markov foi utilizado para estimar anos de vida livres de progressão (PFLY), anos de vida (LY), anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade (QALY) e desfechos clínicos por sete anos. Utilizaram-se dados de sobrevida, segurança e utilidade dos estudos LUX-Lung 1, 3 e 6 e LUCEOR. A eficácia comparativa versus gefitinibe e erlotinibe foi estimada utilizando modelos bayesianos de comparação indireta. A utilização dos recursos foi estimada por painel de especialistas, e custos diretos foram estimados utilizando-se bases de dados oficiais. Resultados: Afatinibe mostrou aumento da sobrevida livre de progressão (0,41 PFLY), sobrevida global (0,16 LY) e qualidade de vida (0,21 QALY) com custo incremental (R$ 8.549), resultando em razão de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) de R$ 20.639/PFLY. Comparado ao erlotinibe, o afatinibe mostrou aumento de 0,46 PFLY, 0,13 LY e 0,20 QALY, com menor custo (-R$ 21.327). Comparado ao gefitinibe, o afatinibe mostrou incrementos de 0,53 PFLY, 0,37 LY, 0,34 QALY, com custo incremental de R$ 24.890, resultando em RCEI de R$ 46.709/PFLY. Considerando-se três vezes o PIB per capita como limiar de custo-efetividade (R$ 86.628), o afatinibe é custo-efetivo versus PEM/CIS e gefitinibe e dominante quando comparado ao erlotinibe. Conclusão: Sugere-se que o afatinibe é uma opção custo-efetiva quando comparado ao PEM/CIS, erlotinibe e gefitinibe no tratamento de primeira linha de pacientes com CPNPC EGFR+.

Objective: To compare costs and effectiveness of afatinib versus pemetrexed plus cisplatin (PEM/ CIS), erlotinib and gefitinib, as first line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (EGFR+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System. Methods: A Markov model was used to estimate 7year progression-free life years (PFLY), life years (LY), quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and clinical outcomes of afatinib. Partitioned survival, safety and utility data from the LUX-Lung 1, 3 and 6 and LUCEOR trials were used. Comparative effectiveness versus gefitinib and erlotinib was estimated using Bayesian indirect treatment comparison. Resource use was estimated by an expert panel and direct costs were estimated from official databases. Results: Compared with PEM/CIS, afatinib was associated with increased progression free survival (0.41 PFLY), increased overall survival (0.16 LY) and increased quality of life (0.21 QALY) with incremental cost (BRL 8,549), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of BRL 20.639/PFLY. Compared to erlotinib, afatinib was associated with additional 0.46 PFLY, 0.13 LY and 0.20 QALYs with lower cost (- BRL 21,327). When compared to gefitinib, afatinib was associated with incremental 0.53 PFLY, 0.37 LY and 0.34 QALY and increased cost (BRL 24,890), resulting in an ICER of BRL 46,709/PFLY. Considering 3 PIB per capita as a threshold (BRL 86,628), afatinib is a cost-effective technology versus PEM/CIS and gefitinib and dominant when compared to erlotinib. Conclusion: Findings suggest that afatinib is a cost-effective option, when compared to PEM/CIS, erlotinib and gefitinib, as first line treatment in EGFR+ NSCLC patients.

Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses of dabigatran compared with warfarin in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation and risk factors for stroke and systemic embolism with in Brazilian private and public health care systems perspectives

Objective: To analyze the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of dabigatran compared with warfarin in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation with moderate to high risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and eligible for treatment with anticoagulants. Methods: Markov-based economic analysis was performed to estimate treatment costs and outcomes. Epidemiologicalandefficacy data were determined after a critical revision of the medical literature. Unit costs were taken from Brazilian official databases. Only direct medical costs were covered. Costs and benefits were discounte data rate of 5% per year. Outcomes were expressed as life-year (LY) and quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Results: Dabigatranuseis cost-effective intermsofLYandQALY considering a willingness-to-pay thresholdof 3times gross domestic product per capita of 2010 (Brazilian rea l57,048/US$24,275.74) perLYand QALY saved in both analyzed perspectives (private and public health care systems). Conclusions: Dabigatran use improves patient survival and quality of life compared with warfarin. This represents the best therapeutic option in terms of cost and effectiveness in the prevention of ischemi cstroke and systemic embolism in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation.

Carcinoma não medular familiar da tiróide / Familial nommedullary thyroid cancer

O carcinoma diferenciado da tiróide, papilífero ou folicular, origina-se da célula folicular tiroideana, sendo a neoplasia maligna mais freqüente desta glândula. Desde 1955 têm sido relatados casos de agrupamento familiar deste carcinoma, e atualmente estima-se que 4,2 por cento de todos os carcinomas diferenciados da tiróide tenham origem familiar. Esses casos costumam ser mais agressivos, incidem em idade mais precoce, são multifocais e apresentam maior taxa de recorrência. Parecem ser transmitidos por herança autossômica dominante com penetrância variável, mas os genes exatos responsáveis pela doença ainda não foram totalmente identificados. Os pacientes devem ser tratados com tiroidectomia total e freqüentemente também com esvaziamento linfonodal cervical, seguidos de ablação com iodo radioativo e terapia supressiva do TSH com levotiroxina. Alguns autores recomendam rastreamento de familiares de primeiro grau dos pacientes afetados através da ultrassonografia cervical, com objetivo de realizar diagnóstico precoce, possibilitando melhores resultados terapêuticos.

Nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma, originating from thyroid epithelial cells, is the most frequent thyroid malignant neoplasia. Since 1955, there has been increasing evidence that this cancer may have a familial predisposition. It is now established that around 4.2 percent of all nonmedullary thyroid carcinomas occurs on the background of familial predisposition. These cases are often more aggressive, due to early onset, multifocality and a higher percentual of recurrences. An autossomal dominant inheritance pattern appears likely in most families, although the exact genes responsible for this syndrome have not yet been identified. Patients affected by this cancer should be treated with total thyroidectomy routinely and, in most cases, lymph node dissection, followed by iodine ablation and TSH suppressive therapy with levothyroxine. Some authors also recommend that first-degree relatives of patients with nonmedullary thyroid cancer (especially women) should be submitted to neck ultrasound for thyroid cancer screening, aiming early diagnosis for better treatment results.