Links between Thyroid Disorders and Glucose Homeostasis

Thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus often coexist and are closely related. Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus and vice versa. Thyroid hormone affects glucose homeostasis by impacting pancreatic β-cell development and glucose metabolism through several organs such as the liver, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, and the central nervous system. The present review discusses the effect of thyroid hormone on glucose homeostasis. We also review the relationship between thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as guidelines for screening thyroid function with each disorder. Finally, we provide an overview of the effects of antidiabetic drugs on thyroid hormone and thyroid disorders.

A Position Statement of the Utilization and Support Status of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Korea / 임상당뇨병

The accuracy and convenience of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), which efficiently evaluates glycemic variability and hypoglycemia, are improving. There are two types of CGM: professional CGM and personal CGM. Personal CGM is subdivided into real-time CGM (rt-CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM). CGM is being emphasized in both domestic and foreign diabetes management guidelines. Regardless of age or type of diabetes, CGM is useful for diabetic patients undergoing multiple insulin injection therapy or using an insulin pump. rt-CGM is recommended for all adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and can also be used in type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatments using multiple insulin injections. In some cases, short-term or intermittent use of CGM may be helpful for patients with T2D who use insulin therapy other than multiple insulin injections and/or oral hypoglycemic agents. CGM can help to achieve A1C targets in diabetes patients during pregnancy. CGM is a safe and cost-effective alternative to self-monitoring blood glucose in T1D and some T2D patients. CGM used in diabetes management works optimally with proper education, training, and follow up. To achieve the activation of CGM and its associated benefits, it is necessary to secure sufficient repetitive training and time for data analysis, management, and education. Various supports such as compensation, insurance coverage expansion, and reimbursement are required to increase the effectiveness of CGM while considering the scale of benefit recipients, policy priorities, and financial requirements.

Notch1 Has an Important Role in β-Cell Mass Determination and Development of Diabetes

BackgroundNotch signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cell fate during pancreas development. Notch signaling is also expressed in adult pancreas. There are few studies on the effect of Notch on adult pancreas. Here, we investigated the role of Notch in islet mass and glucose homeostasis in adult pancreas using Notch1 antisense transgenic (NAS).MethodsWestern blot analysis was performed for the liver of 8-week-old male NAS mice. We also conducted an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test in 8-week-old male NAS mice and male C57BL/6 mice (control). Morphologic observation of pancreatic islet and β-cell was conducted in two groups. Insulin secretion capacity in islets was measured by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and perifusion.ResultsNAS mice showed higher glucose levels and lower insulin secretion in IPGTT than the control mice. There was no significant difference in insulin resistance. Total islet and β-cell masses were decreased in NAS mice. The number of large islets (≥250 µm) decreased while that of small islets (ConclusionOur study provides that Notch1 inhibition decreased insulin secretion and decreased islet and β-cell masses. It is thought that Notch1 inhibition suppresses islet proliferation and induces differentiation of small islets. In conclusion, Notch signaling pathway may play an important role in β-cell mass determination and diabetes.

The Well-Being and Treatment Satisfaction of Diabetic Patients in an Outpatient Setting at a General Hospital in Korea / 임상당뇨병

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological well-being and treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a general hospital in Korea. METHODS: This study included 440 type 2 diabetes patients above 20 years of age. Well-Being Questionnaire-12 (WBQ-12) and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to survey well-being and treatment satisfaction, respectively. WBQ-12 consists of 4 categories: negative well-being (NWB), energy (ENE), positive well-being (PWB), and general well-being (GWB). RESULTS: There were significant associations between NWB scores and women, low education, low-income, and number of hospital admissions. Significant associations were also identified between ENE scores and men, higher education, insulin nonusers, high-income, compliance with recommended exercise, number of medications, satisfaction with treatment time, and poor glycemic control. PWB scores were significantly associated with high-income, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended diet and exercise, and number of medications. GWB scores were significantly associated with men, higher education, high-income, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended exercise, and number of medications. Treatment satisfaction was significantly associated with age, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended diet and exercise, and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes care requires psychosocial support in addition to medical care. Unlike Western studies, our study found that satisfaction with waiting and treatment times had a strong correlation with well-being and treatment satisfaction in diabetes patients.

A Rare Case of Bleeding Ectopic Lingual Thyroid Presenting as Hematemesis

No abstract available.

Genetic Analysis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) Leads to Misdiagnosis of an Extremely Rare Presentation of Intrasellar Cavernous Hemangioma as MEN1

BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of endocrine tumors in target tissues (mainly the pituitary, endocrine pancreas, and parathyroid glands). MEN1 is caused by mutations in the MEN1 gene, which functions as a tumor suppressor and consists of one untranslated exon and nine exons encoding the menin protein. This condition is usually suspected when we encounter patients diagnosed with tumors in multiple endocrine organs, as mentioned above. METHODS: A 65-year-old woman who underwent surgery for a pancreatic tumor (serous cystadenoma) 5 years previously was referred to our hospital due to neurologic symptoms of diplopia and left ptosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3.4-cm lesion originating from the cavernous sinus wall and extending into the sellar region. It was thought to be a nonfunctioning tumor from the results of the combined pituitary function test. Incidentally, we found that she also had a pancreatic tumor, indicating the necessity of genetic analysis for MEN1. RESULTS: Genomic analysis using peripheral leukocytes revealed a heterozygous c.1621G>A mutation in the MEN1 gene that was previously reported to be either a pathogenic mutation or a simple polymorphism. We pursued a stereotactic approach to the pituitary lesion, and microscopic findings of the tumor revealed it to be an intrasellar cavernous hemangioma, a rare finding in the sellar region and even rarer in relation to oculomotor palsy. The patient recovered well from surgery, but refused further evaluation for the pancreatic lesion. CONCLUSION: There is great emphasis placed on genetic testing in the diagnosis of MEN1, but herein we report a case where it did not assist in diagnosis, hence, further discussion on the role of genetic testing in this disease is needed. Also, in cases of pituitary tumor with cranial nerve palsy, despite its low prevalence, intrasellar cavernous hemangioma could be suspected.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonist / 대한내과학회지

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. Glycemic control has been shown to prevent microvascular complications. Many oral hyperglycemic drugs and insulin are being used in the treatment of diabetes, but the effects of those treatments are suboptimal. The two incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP are released from L- and K-cells, respectively, in response to nutrient intake. GLP-1 stimulates glucose-dependent insulin release. Recently, incretin hormone-based therapies, including GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, have been used as new treatment options to control glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A Case of Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis and Portal Venous Gas Accompanied by Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 임상당뇨병

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for urinary tract infection (UTI); emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP), a complication of UTIs, often occurs in patients with underlying, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman with EP in type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) with portal venous gas. PCI is a radiographic finding, which is found in a linear or cystic form of gas in the submucosa or subserosa of the bowel wall. PCI has two common presentations. Primary PCI is a benign idiopathic condition. Secondary PCI is associated with a wide variety of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases. PCI with portal venous gas in particular is associated with ischemic gastrointestinal disease. Initial pre-enhanced abdominopelvic computed tomography showed EP in the right kidney without PCI. Newly occurring PCI and hepatic portal venous gas were found in the right ascending colon after EP improved. This is a rare case of PCI accompanied by emphysematous pyelonephritis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient's general condition improved with intravenous antibiotics and fluid therapy without a surgical approach. However, she was discharged without further treatment because the family refused any further evaluations and treatments.

Genetic and Clinical Characteristics of Korean Patients with Isolated Hypoparathyroidism: From the Korean Hypopara Registry Study

Isolated hypoparathyroidism (IH) shows heterogeneous phenotypes and can be caused by defects in a variety of genes. The goal of our study was to determine the clinical features and to analyze gene mutations in a large cohort of Korean patients with sporadic or familial IH. We recruited 23 patients. They showed a broad range of onset age and various values of biochemical data. Whole exome sequencing was performed on two affected cases and one unaffected individual in a family. All coding exons and exon-intron borders of GCMB, CASR, and prepro-PTH were sequenced using PCR-amplified DNA. In one family who underwent the whole exome sequencing analysis, approximately 300 single nucleotide changes emerged as candidates for genetic alteration. Among them, we identified a functional mutation in exon 2 of GCMB (C106R) in two affected cases. Besides, heterozygous gain-of-function mutations in the CASR gene were found in other subjects; D410E and P221L. We also found one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the prepro-PTH gene, five SNPs in the CASR gene, and four SNPs in the GCMB gene. The current study represents a variety of biochemical phenotypes in IH patients with the molecular genetic diagnosis of IH.

Two Case of Primary Aldosteronism Induced by Aldosterone Producing Adrenal Adenoma in a Family

Primary aldosteronism, is defined as a group of disorders characterized by the excess of aldosteron, with suppressed rennin activity, resulting in hypertension and hypokalemia. In most cases, primary aldosteronism is sporadic due to a unilateral adrenal adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Familial hyperaldosteronism is a rare cause of primary aldosteronism and its prevalence has not been established well. We describe two cases of primary aldosteronism in a family involving a sister and brother due to an aldosterone producing adenoma in the left adrenal gland. Their hypokalemia and hypertension were cured by complete resection of the adrenal adenoma. Genetic analyses could not be done because of patients' rejection.

A Case of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis after Propylthiouracil Re-treatment / 대한갑상선학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis after Propylthiouracil Re-treatment / 대한갑상선학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Ascites and Extensive Abdominal Distension Caused by Reversible Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Graves' Disease

Patients with hyperthyroidism can develop left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, but severe pulmonary hypertension association with hyperthyroidism is rarely seen. Herein, we describe the case of a 27-year-old female who presented with abdominal distension accompanied by pulmonary arterial hypertension and Graves' disease. Her pulmonary arterial hypertension was improved by treating the hyperthyroidism and pulmonary artery hypertension. Additionally, the patient's symptoms of right-side heart failure improved after pulmonary arterial pressure was reduced. Hyperthyroidism should be regarded as a reversible cause of associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Laparoscopically Resected Composite Pheochromocytoma-Ganglioneuroma

Composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma is one of the mixed neuroendocrine-neural tumors composed of pheochromocytoma and other neural crest derivatives. To date, less than 50 cases of composite pheochromocytoma have been reported, and about 70% of the accompanying tumors were ganglioneuromas. Here, we describe six cases of composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuromas in five men and one woman, aged 33 to 64. The size of the tumors ranged from 3.0 to 11.0 cm, and four out of the six presented with intermittent onset of hypertension, palpitation, or dizziness. Microscopically, each tumor was composed of large pleomorphic shaped chromaffin cells arranged in the Zellballen patterns characteristic of pheochromocytoma, and they were mixed with clusters of mature ganglion cells and bundles of spindle-shaped Schwann cells characteristic of ganglioneuroma of variable proportions. All were successfully treated laparoscopically, and none were associated with multiple endocrine neoplasm syndrome or neurofibromatosis. Preoperative diagnosis of a composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma is impossible because of the low incidence rate, and the radiological findings and symptoms are similar to those of typical pheochromocytomas. Although the significance of microscopic detection of the nonpheochromocytoma component from pheochromocytoma has not yet been clarified, microscopic identification of the composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma is important because cumulative cases are used in an effort to predict the behavior of this composite tumor.

A Case of the Type B Insulin Resistance Syndrome with Chronic Hepatitis B

Type B insulin resistance syndrome is rare autoimmune disease that is characterized by various abnormalities of glycemic homeostasis, from hyperglycemia caused by extreme insulin resistance to fasting hypoglycemia. It can combine with other autoimmune diseases, most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus. It usually occurs in women and accompanies acanthosis nigricans, hyperandrogenism, and, in many cases, ovary dysfunction. The diagnosis of type B insulin resistance syndrome is based largely on the presence of insulin receptor autoantibodies and hyperglycemia, or hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. In some cases, patients with the type B insulin resistance have been successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy and plasmapheresis. We experienced type B insulin resistance syndrome in a patient with chronic hepatitis B and used only plasmapheresis for treatment. The immunosuppressive therapy was omitted due to the state of activation of chronic hepatitis B. We present this case with a review of relevant literature.

Evaluation of Stress in Korean Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Using the Problem Areas in Diabetes-Korea Questionnaire

BACKGROUND: It is known that diabetes and stress are directly or indirectly related, and that it is important to evaluate stress in patients with diabetes. The relationship between Korean diabetics and diabetes-related stress has never been reported. The objective of this study was to develop a stress questionnaire suitable for use with Korean diabetics and to evaluate its utility. METHODS: This study subjects were 307 Korean diabetics, aged 40 to 74 years old, who visited the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Gachon University Gil Hospital, Yeungnam University Medical Center, and Inha University Hospital in Korea between March 2006 and February 2008. We developed a Korean version of Polonsky's Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) stress questionnaire (PAID-K) and used it to assess degrees of stress in our sample of Korean patients. We evaluated the utility of the questionnaire and analyzed the relationships between clinical characteristics of the study subjects and degrees of stress. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for PAID-K was 0.95, and PAID-K scores were significantly correlated with Hypoglycemia Fear Survey scores (r=0.44, P<0.05) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 scores (r=0.21, P<0.05). PAID-K scores were significantly higher in patients with longer durations of diabetes, patients using insulin, and female patients (P=0.02, P=0.038, and P=0.001, respectively). The score also tended to increase as HbA1c levels increased, except for very high HbA1c levels (above 11%) (P for trend<0.05). CONCLUSION: We developed the PAID-K questionnaire and demonstrated its utility to evaluate levels of stress in diabetic patients in Korea.

A case of spontaneous ureteral rupture in a patient on hemodialysis / 대한내과학회지

Spontaneous ureteral rupture is rare, and refers to leakage in the absence of prior ureteral manipulation, external trauma, previous surgery, or any destructive kidney disease. It presents a major diagnostic challenge due to the diversity at presentation. Here, we present a rare case of spontaneous ureteral rupture in a 62-year-old man with a history of fungal pyonephrosis (Candida) on maintenance hemodialysis, causing a large infected urinoma and abscess and a review the literature.

The prognostic value of NT-proBNP, Troponin I, and hs-CRP in patients with acute coronary syndrome / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elevated levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponin I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are each associated with higher rates of death and recurrent myocardial ischemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We evaluated the prognostic value of NT-proBNP and a multi-marker risk approach with the simultaneous assessment of NT-proBNP, troponin I, and hs-CRP in patients with ACS. METHODS: We included 277 patients who were admitted for ACS between January and December 2006. We measured NT-proBNP, troponin I, and hs-CRP within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Patients were followed for a median of 559 days for cardiovascular events, including death, new myocardial infarction, heart failure, or rehospitalization for ACS. RESULTS: NT-proBNP was the most powerful predictor of clinical outcome among the biomarkers (HR 3.65, 95% CI 2.11-6.30), followed by the peak troponin I and hs-CRP (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.12-3.87;HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.18-3.37, respectively), but not the baseline troponin I. A multi-marker risk approach with the simultaneous assessment of NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, and peak troponin I was significantly associated with cardiovascular events, especially the presence of three positive biomarkers (adjusted HR 4.20, 95% CI 1.39-12.67). CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP is the most powerful, independent predictor of clinical outcome among the cardiac biomarkers. Since the peak troponin I level provides more prognostic information than the baseline level, follow-up measurement of troponin I may be warranted for risk stratification. The multi-marker risk approach appears to have better prognostic performance than any marker in isolation.

A Case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in an Adult Patient / 감염과화학요법

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome that is related to drugs and infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known as one of the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children and young adults. In Korea, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rarely reported as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in adults. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adult patient. A 34-years old woman was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. At the time of admission, she had hemorrhagic crusts on her lips. On the 2nd day of admission, target lesions also developed on her skin. We diagnosed her disease as Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She completely recovered from pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after treatment with antibiotics and conservative management.

Association of Educational Level and Socioeconomic Status with Glucose Metabolism / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to examine the association of educational level and socioeconomic status with glucose metabolism including prediabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study subjects were 882 (mean age: 51.0 +/- 13.4 years, M:F = 241:641) without diabetes, aged more than 20 years and residing in Whasu 2 dong in Incheon. We classified them into three levels according to their educational level: primary (illiterate or up to elementary school), secondary (middle school or high school) and tertiary (university), and into three levels according to their socioeconomic status by self reported questionnaire: low, middle and high. Subjects were diagnosed as three groups (normal, prediabetes and diabetes) by American Diabetes Association criteria using 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The association of educational level and socioeconomic status with glucose metabolism was analyzed. RESULTS: The number of normal group was 300 (34.0%), that of prediabetes was 470 (53.3%) and that of diabetes was 112 (12.7%). In women, the proportion of primary educational group was larger than that of secondary educational group in diabetes (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-3.51) and larger than that of tertiary educational group in prediabetes ([OR] = 2.00; [CI]: 1.06-3.78). But socioeconomic status did not have the statistical association with glucose metabolism in women. Also both educational level and socioeconomic status had no statistical association with glucose metabolism in men. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of low educational level is larger in prediabetes and diabetes compared with normal group in women.