Filipino endocrinologists' awareness of the diabetes - periodontal disease interrelationship

Background and Objectives@#Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus are both inflammatory conditions that trigger the host response in a similar manner. The effect of uncontrolled diabetes on the progression of periodontitis, as well as the effect of periodontal health on the glycemic control of a patient, have been well documented. The need to include oral health in the management of a diabetic patient is deemed necessary. The objective of this study is to determine the awareness of the interrelationship between diabetes and periodontal disease among Endocrinologists in the Philippines and to determine whether management of a diabetic patient includes measures on maintaining periodontal health. @*Methodology@#A 20-item self-administered survey questionnaire was distributed to endocrinologists registered in the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM) Seminar and General Assembly held on September 5-6, 2015 at Sofitel Manila, Pasay City. The questionnaire was comprised of eight multiple choice and 12 yes-no questions, which combined queries on demographics, associations between diabetes and periodontitis as well as patient management. @*Results@#Most of the endocrinologists answered that tooth brushing and flossing should be performed at a minimum of twice a day (96.6%) and that frequency of dental visits should be at least every six months (71.3%). Although most endocrinologists claimed to be aware of the manifestations of gingivitis and periodontitis, only 3.6% accurately identified the symptoms of gingivitis and 3% accurately identified the symptoms of periodontitis. Majority (79.2%) were aware that periodontal disease affects Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and that DM is a risk factor for Periodontitis (95.9%). However, only 38.6% noted periodontitis as one of the complications of diabetes. More than half of the respondents refer their patients to dentists but less than half educate their patients on oral health. @*Conclusion@#More than 90% of the Endocrinologists are aware of the bidirectional relationship of Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus but do not clearly know the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, the awareness is not translated to the management of diabetic patients.

Investigación electrónica del tratamiento de la hiperprolactinemia en Brasil: endocrinólogos contra ginecólogos / Electronic survey of management of hyperprolactinemia in Brazil: Endocrinologists versus gynecologists

Hyperprolactinemia is a frequent condition in clinical practice, responsible for 20-25% of secondary amenorrhea cases. We performed an electronic survey among members of the Brazilian Society of Metabolism and Endocrinology (SBEM) and the Brazilian Federation of Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FEBRASGO) to assess diagnostic and therapeutic preferences for management of hyperprolactinemia. Electronic addresses of SBEM and FEBRASGO members were obtained from the directories of these societies, and these members were invited, through electronic messages (e-mail), to answer an online questionnaire that included 10 questions about the treatment of micro and macropro-lactinomas, maximum dose of dopamine agonist, how to exclude primary hypothyroidism and macroprolactinemia, hyperprolactinemia and pregnancy. We received responses to the questionnaire by e-mail from 521 SBEM members and 233 FEBRASGO members. The results of this survey demonstrate that there are many area of agreement between SBEM and FEBRASGO members and most of their responses follow the latest Endocrine Society Guideline. Relative to a survey performed several years ago, our findings show that SBEM members have incorporated some of latest recommendations in this field. The principal issues of concern for both groups are duration of dopamine agonist treatment for patients with microprolactinoma and dopamine agonist withdrawal during pregnancy.

La hiperprolactinemia es una alteración frecuente, siendo responsable del 20 al 25% de los casos de amenorrea secundaria. Se realizó una investigación electrónica entre los miembros de la Sociedad Brasileña de Endocrinología y Metabología (SBEM) y de la Federación Brasileña de Ginecología y Obstetricia (FEBRASGO) para evaluar sus preferencias en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la hiperprolactinemia. Las direcciones electrónicas de miembros SBEM y de FEBRASGO se obtuvieron a partir de los directorios de esas sociedades. Se invitó a estos miembros a responder un cuestionario que incluía 10 cuestiones sobre el tratamiento de los micro y macroprolactinomas, dosis máxima del agonista dopaminérgico, hiperprolactinemia e hipotiroidismo primario, macroprolactinemia, prolactinoma y embarazo. Hemos recibido respuestas de 521 miembros de la SBEM y de 233 miembros FEBRASGO. Los resultados demuestran que hay bastantes áreas de concordancia entre los miembros de la SBEM y de la FEBRASGO y que la mayoría de las respuestas están de acuerdo con el último consenso de la Endocrine Society. En cuanto a una encuesta similar realizada hace años, nuestros resultados muestran que los socios de SBEM incorporaron algunas de las últimas recomendaciones propuestas en esa área. Los principales aspectos de interés en ambos grupos son la duración del tratamiento con el agonista dopaminérgico y la retirada del mismo durante el embarazo.

Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation Performed by an Endocrinologist for Benign Thyroid Nodules

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Radiofrequency ablation has recently been used for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, with outstanding results. However, in most studies, the procedure was usually performed by a radiologist or surgeon. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for nodules >2 cm performed by an endocrinologist with several years of experience performing fine-needle aspiration cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 111 patients who received radiofrequency ablation between April 2010 and July 2013. A total of 73 patients with 75 nodules >2 cm in diameter with at least 6 months of follow-up examinations were included. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 11.5 months. The mean nodule volume decreased from 17.0+/-15.3 mL preoperatively to 6.0+/-8.5 mL postoperatively, with a mean volume reduction of 69.7%. There were no major complications, and only 1 patient (1.3%) presented with a minor complication (hemorrhaging of the thyroid parenchyma). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe method for reducing benign thyroid nodules, and is not associated with any major complications.