ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that originates from the adrenal medulla, less commonly from extraadrenal chromaffin cells (paraganglioma). In about 90% of cases, the tumor produces abnormal amounts of catecholamines. Pheochromocytomas are usually benign, but in rare cases can be malignant. Typical clinical manifestations are the result of the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of catecholamines and usually include paroxysmal hypertension with the classic triad (headache, excessive sweating, palpitations), carbohydrate disorders, etc. Elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine) tested in plasma or in 24-hour urine confirm the diagnosis. Surgical removal of the tumor is the only radical treatment. Follow-up of patients postoperatively should be lifelong and performed by a multidisciplinary team in a specialized center of expertise. Case report: A 36-year-old female patient referred to the clinic for decompensated diabetes mellitus. Detailed history revealed paroxysmal hypertension and the classic triad of pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by high urinary metanephrine levels and an abdominal CT scan, showing a tumor in the right adrenal gland with features typical of pheochromocytoma. Surgical removal of the pheochromocytoma and normalization of catecholamine levels led to normalization of blood pressure and reversal of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion(s): Pheochromocytoma is a difficult diagnosis in endocrinology practice as it can mimic many other diseases. Early detection and surgical removal of the tumor are crucial to avoid complications caused by elevated serum catecholamine levels.Copyright © 2022 Medical Information Center. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a common comorbidity in COVID-19 patients, which could favor disease progression. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of some glycemic biomarkers on characteristic features of COVID-19. Electronic medical records of patients consecutively admitted to a COVID-19 ward were analyzed. Demographic and anthropometric as well as clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained. T2DM was present in 47% of the patients, with 22.58% of diabetic patients being newly diagnosed at admission. The most important predictors of severe COVID-19 were age (OR 1.214 [1.078-1.366], p = 0.001), creatinine levels (OR 1.018 [1.003-1.034], p = 0.017), glucose above 7.0 mmol/L at admission (OR 7.800 [2.232-27.255], p = 0.001) and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (OR 4.840 [1.428-16.405], p = 0.011) irrespective of the presence of DM. C-peptide levels correlated positively with age, creatinine level, the severity of hypoxia and ferritin levels of patients (p < 0.05 for all) and appeared to be a significant predictor of leukocytosis. Suboptimal glycemic indices and impaired kidney function might predict COVID-19 disease worsening. Early detection of DM and optimization of glycemic control in diabetic patients should be among the priorities of the public health systems during COVID-19 pandemics. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.