Association between Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 with angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum FGF-21 was measured in 120 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the presence/absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and of significant CAD. The atherosclerotic burden was obtained by two angiographic scores: Gensini score (GS) and Extent score (ES). FGF-21 levels were higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus than in non-diabetic patients (P = 0.014). FGF-21 levels were significantly correlated with GS (r = 0.358, P < 0.001) and ES (r = 0.324, P < 0.001) in univariate analysis with all patients. After adjusting for several confounding factors, both GS and ES were associated with FGF-21 in all patients (r = 0.271, P = 0.014; r = 0.217, P = 0.041, respectively). However, FGF-21 lost significant correlation with both GS and ES with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the final model. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD feature had elevated FGF-21 levels. Despite of a limited role in diabetic patients, FGF-21 levels are independently associated with angiographic severity and extent of CAD.

High prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer in Korean women with insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance are/is associated with the prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in Korean women. METHODS: This study included 735 female patients with PTC and 537 female non-PTC control subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance and the occurrence of PTC. RESULTS: The prevalence of PTC was significantly correlated with increased insulin, glucose levels, and a high homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The multivariate adjusted odds ratios for the prevalence of PTC in the highest quartile groups for insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR were 2.88, 9.32, and 4.07 (all p < .001), respectively, compared with the lowest quartile groups. Pathological analyses revealed that increased serum glucose, insulin levels, and a higher HOMA-IR were associated with the multifocality of PTC. CONCLUSION: Hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance may be associated with the development of PTC, but not disease severity in Korean women.

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional sonography for the prediction of the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinomas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) when predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS: All 2D data were interpreted in real time and 3D data were stored, rendered using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and then reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Extrathyroidal extension was present in 17 papillary thyroid cancers(24.3%) on pathology reports. The presence of contact was significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on both 2D and 3D US (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), and the sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different between 2D and 3D US (p = 1.000 and p = 0.754). The coexistence of protrusion and contact was not significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on either 2D or 3D sonogram. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional images rendered with TUI algorithms alone do not seem to be markedly superior to real-time 2D US in predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.

High-normal serum uric acid predicts the development of chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved kidney function.

AIMS: We evaluated whether high-normal serum uric acid (SUA) levels can predict the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved kidney function at baseline. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational longitudinal study of patients presenting at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pusan National University Hospital. A total of 512 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and normouricemia were included. The main outcome was development of CKD of stage 3 or greater. The patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles of SUA levels. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 62 (12.1%) patients had progressed to CKD 3 or greater. The group with the highest-normal range of SUA (Q4) showed a higher cumulative incidence of CKD stage 3 or greater than that of the other lower quartiles (Q4 vs. Q3; P = 0.037, Q4 vs. Q2; P<0.001, Q4 vs. Q1; P<0.001). In a univariate analysis, Q4 was significantly associated with the development of CKD 3 or greater (log-rank statistic, 31.93; P<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, Q4 (hazard ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-7.71; P = 0.025) showed a significant association with CKD 3 or greater. CONCLUSIONS: High-normal SUA may predict the occurrence of CKD stage 3 or greater in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved kidney function.

Concurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism and metastatic breast carcinoma affected a parathyroid gland.

OBJECTIVE: Involvement of the parathyroid glands by metastatic tumor is rare. Breast is 1 of the primary sites in metastatic cancers. We introduce a rare case of metastatic breast carcinoma affecting a parathyroid gland, which was clinically combined with parathyroid gland hyperplasia. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old woman was referred due to hypercalcemia and constipation. The patient had a history of left breast carcinoma. She was admitted to the hospital because of the recent discovery of hypercalcemia and elevation of PTH. A Tc99m-sestamibi scan showed retained uptake in the right thyroid and in the lower pole of the left thyroid gland. Aspiration biopsy results revealed that the nodule in the posterior portion of the right thyroid was metastatic breast cancer and the nodule in the left thyroid gland was the hyperplastic parathyroid gland. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid hyperplasia was concurrent with metastatic breast cancer to a parathyroid gland without disseminated systemic metastasis. Although this case is very uncommon and it is not clear whether there is a relationship between breast cancer and primary hyperparathyroidism, that possibility should always be considered as the cause of hypercalcemia in patients with breast cancer.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver initially presenting with pseudoachalasia.

Pseudoachalasia secondary to primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the liver is extremely rare and has not been reported until now. Here, we report a unique case of primary SCC of the liver initially presenting with progressive dysphagia along with short periods of significant weight loss. A 58-year-old man initially presented with progressive dysphagia along with significant weight loss over brief periods of time. The radiographic and manometric findings were consistent with achalasia. Subsequent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a moderately dilated esophagus without evidence of neoplasm or organic obstruction. However, firm resistance was encountered while traversing the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), although no mucosal lesion was identified. Due to the clinical suspicion of the presence of a malignant tumor, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and computed tomography scans of the chest and abdomen were obtained. A huge hepatic mass with irregular margins extending to the EGJ was found. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed, and the mass was diagnosed as a primary SCC of the liver by immunohistochemical staining.

[A case of duodenal perforation caused by biliary plastic stent treated with approximation using endoclip and detachable snare].

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) is useful for the palliative decompression of biliary obstruction. However, the complications of ERBD include cholangitis, hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, obstruction of the stent, and duodenal perforation. Pressure necrosis on the duodenal mucosa by the stent may contribute to perforation. Although duodenal perforation following ERBD is very rare compared to other complications, it can result in a fatal outcome. Recent reports describe nonsurgical treatment for small gastrointestinal perforation with localized peritonitis and suggest that endoclipping may be appropriate in the management of a well selected group of patients with iatrogenic perforation. We describe a case of duodenal perforation secondary to ERBD that was successfully treated with approximating using endoclip and detachable snare.

The risk factors for herpes zoster in bortezomib treatment in patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Bortezomib has significant activity in treating multiple myeloma (MM). The risk of herpes zoster (HZ) has been reported to increase significantly with bortezomib treatment, but the predisposing factors for HZ are not clear. This study is a retrospective analysis of the relevant risk factors for HZ in Korean MM patients treated with bortezomib. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with refractory or relapsed MM who underwent chemotherapy with bortezomib were included in the study. Prophylactic antiviral drugs were not used for treatment. The following parameters were reviewed: age, gender, stage and type of MM, extent of previous treatment, history of HZ, duration from the time of diagnosis to the time of bortezomib treatment initiation, and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) at the time of bortezomib treatment initiation. RESULTS: The incidence of HZ was 16.7%. There were no intergroup differences between the HZ-positive and the HZ-negative groups with regard to a history of HZ, number of previous treatments, and exposure to steroids before bortezomib treatment. The median duration from the time of MM diagnosis to the time of bortezomib treatment initiation in the HZ-positive group was significantly shorter than that in the HZ-negative group. The median ALC at the time of bortezomib initiation in the HZ-positive group was significantly lower than that in the HZ-negative group. CONCLUSION: Bortezomib itself might act as a risk factor for HZ by inhibiting cell-mediated immunity, and patients with low ALC at the time of bortezomib treatment initiation were at greater risk of HZ during bortezomib treatment.