Cerebellar ataxia as presenting feature of hypothyroidism

SUMMARY Symptoms and signs of the hypothyroidism vary in relation to the magnitude and acuteness of the thyroid hormone deficiency. The usual clinical features are constipation, fatigue, cold intolerance and weight gain. Rarely it can present with neurologic problems like reversible cerebellar ataxia, dementia, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis and coma. Hypothyroidism should be suspected in all cases of ataxia, as it is easily treatable. A 40 year-old male presented with the history facial puffiness, hoarseness of voice and gait-ataxia. Investigations revealed frank primary hypothyroidism. Anti-TPO antibody was positive. Thyroxine was started and patient improved completely within eight weeks. Hypothyroidism can present with ataxia as presenting feature. Hypothyroidism should be considered in all cases of cerebellar ataxia as it is a reversible cause of ataxia.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among newly diagnosed youth-onset diabetes mellitus in north India / Alta prevalência de deficiência de vitamina D entre casos de diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada no norte da Índia

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency is common at all ages, and low levels of vitamin D have been associated with high incidence of type 1 diabetes. Similar results are not consistent for type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to estimate vitamin D status in newly detected youth-onset diabetes in north India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective case control study at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Seventy two newly detected youth-onset diabetes subjects (age < 25 years), and 41 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were studied. In addition to basic information and management regarding their diabetes, metabolic parameters and serum 25(OH)D were measured in both the groups. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 91.1% of the subjects with diabetes, and 58.5% of the healthy controls. Mean ±SD 25(OH)D was significantly low, 7.88 ± 1.20 ng/mL in subjects with diabetes against 16.64 ± 7.83 ng/mL in controls. Sixty percent of cases had severe Vitamin D deficiency compared with 8.3% in controls. Levels of vitamin D did not correlate with clinical parameters, such as gender, body mass index; or with biochemical parameters, such as serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1C. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with youth-onset diabetes.

OBJETIVOS: A deficiência de vitamina D é comum em todas as idades, e baixas concentrações de vitamina D estão associadas à alta incidência de diabetes tipo 1. Entretanto, resultados similares não são consistentes para o diabetes tipo 2. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a condição dos pacientes com relação à vitamina D em casos de diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada no norte da Índia. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo prospectivo controlado em um hospital de cuidados terciários no norte da Índia. Setenta e dois pacientes com diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada (idade < 25 anos) e 41 controles saudáveis, sem diabetes, pareados por idade e sexo, foram estudados. Além das informações básicas e controle do diabetes, parâmetros metabólicos e a 25(OH)D sérica foram avaliados em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: A deficiência de vitamina D foi observada em 91,1% dos pacientes com diabetes e em 58,5% dos controles saudáveis. A média ± DP de 25(OH)D foi significativamente baixa, 7,88 ± 1,20 ng/mL nos pacientes com diabetes contra 16,64 ± 7,83 ng/mL nos controles. Sessenta por cento dos pacientes com diabetes apresentaram deficiência grave de vitamina D, contra 8,3% dos controles. As concentrações de vitamina D se correlacionaram com os parâmetros clínicos, como sexo, índice de massa corporal, ou com parâmetros bioquímicos, como cálcio e fósforo séricos, fosfatase alcalina, glicemia de jejum e HbA1C. CONCLUSÃO: A deficiência de vitamina D é comum em pacientes com diabetes de início na juventude.