The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and Diabetes in Daegu, South Korea

Background@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that had affected more than eight million people worldwide by June 2020. Given the importance of the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) for host immunity, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in patients with diabetes. @*Methods@#We conducted a multi-center observational study of 1,082 adult inpatients (aged ≥18 years) who were admitted to one of five university hospitals in Daegu because of the severity of their COVID-19-related disease. The demographic, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and the mortality, prevalence of severe disease, and duration of quarantine were compared between patients with and without DM. In addition, 1:1 propensity score (PS)-matching was conducted with the DM group. @*Results@#Compared with the non-DM group (n=847), patients with DM (n=235) were older, exhibited higher mortality, and required more intensive care. Even after PS-matching, patients with DM exhibited more severe disease, and DM remained a prognostic factor for higher mortality (hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 4.15). Subgroup analysis revealed that the presence of DM was associated with higher mortality, especially in older people (≥70 years old). Prior use of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor or a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor did not affect mortality or the clinical severity of the disease. @*Conclusion@#DM is a significant risk factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Our findings imply that COVID-19 patients with DM, especially if elderly, require special attention and prompt intensive care.

Low-Normal Free Thyroxine Levels in Euthyroid Male Are Associated with Prediabetes

Abnormal thyroid function is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to determine whether free thyroxine (FT4) influences the prevalence of prediabetes in euthyroid subjects using a cross-sectional survey derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted between 2013 and 2015. We studied 2,399 male participants of >20 years of age who were euthyroid and non-diabetic. Prediabetic participants had lower FT4 concentrations than those without prediabetes, but their thyrotropin concentrations were similar. We stratified the population into tertiles according to FT4 concentration. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels significantly decreased with increasing FT4 tertile, whereas fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were not associated with FT4 tertiles (HbA1c, P<0.01 in T3 vs. T1; FPG, P=0.489 in T3 vs. T1). The prevalence of prediabetes was significantly higher in T1 (odds ratio, 1.426; 95% confidence interval, 1.126 to 1.806; P<0.01) than in T3. In conclusion, subjects with low-normal serum FT4 had high HbA1c and were more likely to have prediabetes. These results suggest that low FT4 concentration is a risk factor for prediabetes in male, even when thyroid function is within the normal range.

Patient Understanding of Hypoglycemia in Tertiary Referral Centers

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is an important complication in the treatment of patients with diabetes. We surveyed the insight by patients with diabetes into hypoglycemia, their hypoglycemia avoidance behavior, and their level of worry regarding hypoglycemia. METHODS: A survey of patients with diabetes, who had visited seven tertiary referral centers in Daegu or Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, between June 2014 and June 2015, was conducted. The survey contained questions about personal history, symptoms, educational experience, self-management, and attitudes about hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Of 758 participants, 471 (62.1%) had experienced hypoglycemia, and 250 (32.9%) had experienced hypoglycemia at least once in the month immediately preceding the study. Two hundred and forty-two (31.8%) of the participants had received hypoglycemia education at least once, but only 148 (19.4%) knew the exact definition of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemic symptoms identified by the participants were dizziness (55.0%), sweating (53.8%), and tremor (40.8%). They mostly chose candy (62.1%), chocolate (37.7%), or juice (36.8%) as food for recovering hypoglycemia. Participants who had experienced hypoglycemia had longer duration of diabetes and a higher proportion of insulin usage. The mean scores for hypoglycemia avoidance behavior and worry about hypoglycemia were 21.2±10.71 and 23.38±13.19, respectively. These scores tended to be higher for participants with higher than 8% of glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin use, and experience of emergency room visits. CONCLUSION: Many patients had experienced hypoglycemia and worried about it. We recommend identifying patients that are anxious about hypoglycemia and educating them about what to do when they develop hypoglycemic symptoms, especially those who have a high risk of hypoglycemia.

Response: Adipokines and Insulin Resistance According to Characteristics of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes Metab J 2017;41:457-65)

No abstract available.

A novel RET mutation identified in a patient with pheochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Pheochromocytomas might be sporadic or genetic. Genetic pheochromocytoma is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A, MEN type 2B, and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. RET mutations are identified in more than 90% of index cases of MEN2 and familial medullary thyroid cancer and in about 4–12% of apparent sporadic cases. Here, we report a 54-year-old man presenting with pheochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, who was identified as having a novel missense RET mutation.

Infection of Thyroid Cyst Occurring 1 Month after Fine-Needle Aspiration in an Immunocompetent Patient

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with ultrasonography is considered a minimally invasive and safe procedure. Complications of it are infrequent and occur immediately or within a few days after FNA. Such complications may occur mainly in patients with underlying problems. We here report a rare case of thyroid cystic nodule infection occurring 1 month after FNA in an immunocompetent patient and serial sonographic findings in this patient. A 33-year-old woman with a cystic nodule including partially isoechoic solid areas on the right thyroid gland complained of difficulty swallowing and painful sensations in the right neck 1 month after FNA. On follow-up examination, the cystic nodule and perithyroidal soft tissue were suspicious of infection. The possibility of infection after FNA should be considered even if the patient is immunocompetent in order to prompt evaluation and immediate management with empirical antibiotic therapy to avoid life-threatening complications.

Diabetes and depression / 영남의대학술지

Diabetes and depression are serious chronic conditions. As a result of their increasing prevalence, diabetes and depression, together with population growth and aging, are public health issues. The rate of depression in adults with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes is high relative to the general population. The coexistence of diabetes and depression has attracted much interest. Although it is unclear whether diabetes and depression are causally linked, most studies have shown that the association between diabetes and depression might be bidirectional. Currently, emotional well-being is becoming an increasingly important aspect of diabetes care and self-management. Psychiatric disorders and diabetic distress among people with diabetes may increase the risk of diabetes complication and mortality. Thus, assessment and appropriate management of depression in people with diabetes should be considered to achieve psychological well-being and optimize medical outcomes.

Diabetes and depression / 영남의대학술지

Diabetes and depression are serious chronic conditions. As a result of their increasing prevalence, diabetes and depression, together with population growth and aging, are public health issues. The rate of depression in adults with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes is high relative to the general population. The coexistence of diabetes and depression has attracted much interest. Although it is unclear whether diabetes and depression are causally linked, most studies have shown that the association between diabetes and depression might be bidirectional. Currently, emotional well-being is becoming an increasingly important aspect of diabetes care and self-management. Psychiatric disorders and diabetic distress among people with diabetes may increase the risk of diabetes complication and mortality. Thus, assessment and appropriate management of depression in people with diabetes should be considered to achieve psychological well-being and optimize medical outcomes.

Adipokines and Insulin Resistance According to Characteristics of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate adipokines concentration and insulin resistance according to maternal age or obesity at pregnancy and weight change at diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women with GDM. METHODS: This study included 57 pregnant women who were diagnosed with GDM at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. The subjects were classified into two or three groups according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI, < 25 kg/m² vs. ≥25 kg/m²), maternal age at pregnancy (< 35 years old vs. ≥35 years old), and weight change during pregnancy at screening for GDM (weight change below, within, and in excess of the recommended range). They were respectively compared in each group. RESULTS: Leptin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and HOMA2-%B were increased in the group with pre-pregnancy BMI ≥25 kg/m². Leptin and HOMA-IR were positively correlated with BMI both before pregnancy and at screening for GDM. There were no significant correlations between HOMA-IR and adipokines. HOMA-IR showed positive correlation with HOMA2-%B and negative correlation with HOMA2-%S. CONCLUSION: Leptin and HOMA-IR at diagnosed GDM were increased in the GDM patients with obesity before pregnancy. They were positively correlated with BMI both before pregnancy and at screening for GDM. The effect of maternal age at pregnancy and weight change during pregnancy at GDM screening on adipokines and insulin resistance might be less pronounced than the effect of maternal obesity.

Ultrasonographic Characteristics of the Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Cancer According to the Tumor Size

Follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer (FVPTC) is the second most common subtype after conventional PTC. We compared ultrasonographic (US) features of FVPTC to those of conventional PTC according to tumor size. We reviewed US findings, pathologic reports, and medical charts of 249 PTC patients with surgically proven disease (83 FVPTCs, 166 conventional PTCs) at our institution from January 2007 to December 2012. FVPTCs were divided into PTC-like and follicular neoplasm (FN)-like based on sonographic characteristics. PTC-like features were defined as having at least one malignant feature (taller-than-wide shape, infiltrative margin, marked hypoechogenicity, and micro-calcifications), whereas FN-like cancers showed oval solid features without malignant features. FVPTCs showed a higher rate of FN-like features than conventional PTCs. Of 166 conventional PTCs, 13 (7.8%) had FN-like features and 153 (92.2%) had PTC-like features, whereas of the 83 FVPTCs, 31 (37.3%) had FN-like features and 52 (62.7%) had PTC-like features. Macro-FVPTCs showed a higher rate of FN-like features than micro-FVPTCs (P < 0.001). Of 21 macro-FVPTCs, 18 (85.7%) had FN-like features and 3 (14.3%) had PTC-like features, whereas of the 62 micro-FVPTCs, 13 (21%) had FN-like features and 49 (79%) had PTC-like features. There were no differences in multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, and lymph node metastasis between PTC-like FVPTCs and FN-like FVPTCs. FVPTCs showed fewer sonographic malignant features than conventional PTCs. In particular, FVPTCs larger than 1 cm had a more frequent benign sonographic appearance. Therefore, if fine-needle aspiration result is suspicious for PTC in a nodule larger than 1 cm with no suspicious US features, the possibility of FVPTC might be considered.

Cystatin C as a Predictor for Diabetes according to Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels in Korean Patients

No abstract available.

A Case of Bilateral Adrenal Myelolipomas with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia / 대한내과학회지

Adrenal myelolipoma (AML) is a rare, usually benign, and nonfunctioning tumor. About 7-15% of adrenal incidentalomas are AMLs, composed of normal hematopoietic elements and mature adipose tissue. AML is usually unilateral and < 4 cm. It is often discovered incidentally on abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. It is related to a chronic increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone, such as that observed in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing disease, Conn's syndrome, and pheochromocytoma. Here, we report a 28-year-old man diagnosed with non-salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia with huge bilateral AMLs and a literature review.

A Calcitonin-Negative Neuroendocrine Tumor Derived from Follicular Lesions of the Thyroid

Neuroendocrine lesions of the thyroid are rare. The most common types are medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) and C-cell hyperplasia. MTCs originate from thyroid parafollicular cells that secrete calcitonin which serves as a serum marker of MTCs. Here, the rare case of a calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor (NET) derived from follicular lesions of the thyroid is described. A 34-year-old man presented at our hospital for the surgical management of an incidental thyroid nodule that was observed on an ultrasound sonography (USG) of the neck. Initially, USG-guided aspiration cytology was performed, and a MTC was suspected. The expressions of thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor-1, which are thyroid follicular cell markers, and synaptophysin and chromogranin A, which are neuroendocrine markers, was confirmed following surgical pathology. However, the staining of calcitonin, a marker of MTCs, was not observed. A nonmedullary NET of the thyroid is uncommon, and the distinction between calcitonin-negative NETs and MTCs of the thyroid may be important due to differences in their clinical courses and management.

Response: Diagnostic Whole-Body Scan May Not Be Necessary for Intermediate-Risk Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer after Low-Dose (30 mCi) Radioactive Iodide Ablation (Endocrinol Metab 2014;29:33-9, Eon Ju Jeon et al.)

No abstract available.

A Case of Graves' Disease Following Subacute Thyroiditis Presented with Creeping / 대한갑상선학회지

The occurrence of Graves' disease following subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is rare. The pathophysiology of it is not well known. We report a case of Graves' disease following SAT presented with creeping. A 45-year-old woman presented with neck pain, and thyrotoxic symptoms. Neck pain migrated from left lobe to right lobe of the thyroid. Thyroid scan revealed decreased uptake in the both lobes except the superior portion of the right thyroid gland. Initially, the patient was diagnosed with SAT and treated with steroid therapy. Four months later, thyroid function test showed suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), elevated free thyroxine (T4) and TSH receptor antibody. Thyroid scan revealed increased uptake compatible with Graves' disease. The autoimmune alteration after SAT may lead to the development of Graves' disease in the susceptible patients. These patients should be monitored for the development of Graves' disease.

Recurrent thymic carcinoid tumor in familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism / 영남의대학술지

Familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism(FIPH) is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, primary hyperparathyroidism accompanied by jaw-tumor syndrome, and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. FIPH may be an early stage of MEN1 or an allelic variant of MEN1. Thymic carcinoid tumor is a rare tumor in MEN1 syndrome. Here, the authors report the case of a 40-year-old man diagnosed with recurrent thymic carcinoid tumor and FIPH. Both the patient and his elder sister had been previously diagnosed to have FIPH with a novel frameshift mutation in the MEN1 gene. Initially, the patient underwent thymectomy because of an incidental finding of a mediastinal mass in his chest X-ray, and had remained asymptomatic over the following 4 years. Pancreas computed tomography conducted to evaluate MEN1 syndrome revealed anterior and middle mediastinal masses, and resultantly, massive mass excision was performed. Histological findings disclosed atypical carcinoids with infiltrative margins. In view of the thymic carcinoid tumor relapse that occurred in this patient, the authors recommend that regular pancreas and pituitary imaging studies be conducted for FIPH associated with a MEN1 gene mutation.

Diagnostic Whole-Body Scan May Not Be Necessary for Intermediate-Risk Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer after Low-Dose (30 mCi) Radioactive Iodide Ablation

BACKGROUND: A diagnostic whole-body scan (WBS) is recommended 6 to 12 months after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodide ablation in intermediate- or high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity of a diagnostic WBS after radioactive iodide ablation in intermediate-risk patients with DTC. METHODS: A total of 438 subjects were included in the study: 183 low-risk subjects and 255 intermediate-risk subjects according to the American Thyroid Association guideline. All subjects diagnosed with DTC received 1,100 MBq (30 mCi) activity of radioiodine (I-131) following total thyroidectomy. On follow-up, all subjects underwent a diagnostic I-131 WBS after thyroid hormone withdrawal. RESULTS: After initial radioactive iodide ablation, 95.1% of low-risk patients and 91.4% of intermediate-risk patients showed no uptake on diagnostic WBS (P=0.135). Intermediate-risk patients with stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels higher than 2.0 ng/mL showed a greater rate of radioactive iodine uptake on diagnostic WBS. Four intermediate-risk patients showed recurrence during the 16 to 80 months follow-up period. Three of the four patients with recurrence showed no uptake on diagnostic WBS and had a stimulated Tg level less than 2.0 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: A diagnostic I-131 WBS after radioactive iodide ablation in intermediate-risk patients with DTC may not be necessary. A large prospective study is necessary to determine the necessity of diagnostic WBS in intermediate-risk patients with DTC.

A Case of Dopamine-Secreting Pheochromocytoma

A pheochromocytoma is a neuroectodermal tumor that originates from the chromaffin cells of the sympathetic system. It has typical symptoms or signs, such as periodic attacks of paroxysmal hypertension, palpitation, headache, and sweating, related to an increased catecholamine secretion. Types of catecholamine secreted from tumors are usually norepinephrine and epinerphrine. There are a few reports of dopamine-secreting pheochromocytoma with absence of other catecholamines secretion. Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with dopamine-secreting pheochromocytoma, with no typical symptoms or signs.

A Case of Parathyroid Apoplexy of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Presenting as Auditory Hallucinations Accompanied with Hypocalcemia

The natural history of primary hyperparathyroidism, due to parathyroid adenoma, is unknown. Furthermore, spontaneous resolution of parathyroid necrosis or hemorrhage is rare and usually asymptomatic. Here, we report a case of parathyroid apoplexy of primary hyperparathyroidism, presenting as auditory hallucinations, accompanied with hypocalcemia. A 39-year-old man who was incidentally diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, and waiting surgery for parathyroidectomy presented to psychiatric service with auditory hallucinations. He developed tetany, while taking psychiatric drugs. On a follow-up investigation, his serum calcium level fell from 11.8 to 5.8 mg/dL. His intact parathyroid hormone level also decreased from 1,017 pg/mL to 71.1 pg/mL. The parathyroid apoplexy was confirmed after a surgical removal of the infarcted adenoma. The auditory hallucinations disappeared, and serum calcium level was returned to within the normal range.