Bariatric surgery tourism in the COVID-19 era.

Background: Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic primary and secondary health care services in Northern Ireland have observed an increase in the number of patients who have had bariatric surgery outside of the UK. This study sought to estimate the frequency of bariatric surgery tourism and to audit indications, blood monitoring and medical complications. Methods: All primary care centres within the Western Health Social Care Trust (WHSCT) were invited to document the number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022. For one primary care centre, patients who underwent bariatric surgery were assessed against the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline indications for bariatric surgery. In addition, the blood monitoring of these patients was audited against the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) guidelines for up to two years following surgery. Medical contacts for surgical complications of bariatric surgery were recorded. Results: Thirty-five of 47 (74.5%) GP surgeries replied to the survey, representing 239,961 patients among 325,126 registrations (73.8%). In the six year study period 463 patients had reported having bariatric surgery to their GP. Women were more likely to have had bariatric surgery than men (85.1% versus 14.9%). There was a marked increase in the number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery with each year of the study (p<0.0001 chi square for trend). Twenty-one of 47 patients (44.7%) evaluated in one primary care centre fulfilled NICE criteria for bariatric surgery. The level of three-month monitoring ranged from 23% (for vitamin D) to 89% (electrolytes), but decreased at two years to 9% (vitamin D) and 64% (electrolytes and liver function tests). Surgical complication prevalence from wound infections was 19% (9 of 44). Antidepressant medications were prescribed for 23 of 47 patients (48.9%). Conclusions: The WHSCT has experienced a growing population of patients availing of bariatric surgery outside of the National Health Service. In view of this and the projected increase in obesity prevalence, a specialist obesity management service is urgently required in Northern Ireland.

Iodine status of teenage girls on the island of Ireland.

PURPOSE: The trace element iodine is a vital constituent of thyroid hormones. Iodine requirements increase during pregnancy, when even mild deficiency may affect the neurocognitive development of the offspring. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is the means of assessing iodine status in population surveys; a median UIC of 100-199 µg/L is deemed sufficient in a non-pregnant population. Milk is the main dietary source of iodine in the UK and Ireland. METHODS: We surveyed the iodine status of 903 girls aged 14-15 years in seven sites across the island of Ireland. Urine iodine concentration was measured in spot-urine samples collected between March 2014 and October 2015. Food group intake was estimated from iodine-specific food-frequency questionnaire. Milk-iodine concentration was measured at each site in summer and winter. RESULTS: The median UIC overall was 111 µg/L. Galway was the only site in the deficient range (median UIC 98 µg/L). All five of the Republic of Ireland sites had UIC ≤ 105 µg/L. In the two sites surveyed twice, UIC was lower in summer vs winter months [117 µg/L (IQR 76-165) vs 130 µg/L (IQR 91-194) (p < 0.01)]. Milk samples collected from Galway and Roscommon had a lower mean iodine concentration than those from Derry/Londonderry (p < 0.05). Milk intake was positively associated with UIC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest survey of its kind on the island of Ireland, which currently has no iodine-fortification programme. Overall, the results suggest that this young female population sits at the low end of sufficiency, which has implications if, in future, they enter pregnancy with borderline status.

A Survey of Patient's Perceptions and Proposed Provision of a 'Patient Portal' in Endocrine Outpatients.

INTRODUCTION: Patient portals are online electronic medical record applications that allow patients greater control of their own health and encourage meaningful interaction with their healthcare providers. The uptake of this technology is commonplace throughout developed healthcare economies and is on the Northern Ireland Electronic Healthcare Record (NIECR) roadmap. AIM: To assess patients' perceptions and proposed provision of a patient portal in endocrinology outpatients. METHODS: Patients (n=75) attending three endocrinology outpatient clinics were eligible to participate. After discussion at clinic, invited patients were contacted via e-mail to complete a confidential and anonymised online survey. There were a total of 23 questions in the survey which included a mix of free text and categorical responses. The survey duration was conducted over a 6-month period. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 51/75 (68%), M33:F18. 46/51 (90%) had access to smart phones, 45/51 (88%) used the internet daily. 31/51 (60%) of respondents were aged between 18-45, 20/51 (40%) were aged ≥ 45 years. 50/51 (98%) reported they would use the technology if available. 47/51 (92%) felt engaging with a patient portal would enhance communication with their doctor and improve understanding of their medical issues. Reported perceived applications of use included; remote access and advice for test results and medical questions, arranging appointments, requesting prescriptions and health promotion. 90% of respondents said they would be content to access results even if abnormal. Possible barriers to adoption of this technology included data protection and understanding medical terminology. CONCLUSIONS: The overall response to the provision of this technology was positive, although concerns regarding data protection remain prevalent. Perceived benefits included enhanced doctor-patient communication, optimizing workflow and improving patient engagement.

Pretesticular and Testicular Effects of Systemic Sarcoidosis: A Case Report.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It is uncommon, with an incidence of approximately 16.5 per 100,000 men.1 It is characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granulomata that typically affect the chest, skin, eyes, and, much less commonly, the genital system (<0.2% of cases). Sarcoidosis can affect any of the scrotal structures, although due to its rarity, investigation of solid masses of the testes are largely targeted towards excluding either a malignant or infective etiology.² Case: We report a rare case of a 27-year-old male who presented with bilateral testicular and neck swellings. He underwent orchidectomy, and histopathology demonstrated sarcoidosis. He subsequently developed both pituitary and testicular sarcoidosis resulting in azoospermia. Through the administration of gonadotropins and surgical sperm retrieval we were able to retrieve sperm suitable for assisted reproductive technologies. Conclusion: This case illustrates the difficulties faced in managing the fertility of men who develop systemic sarcoidosis. It also highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced by physicians when presented with a case of systemic sarcoidosis.

Hypopituitarism as the presenting feature of bronchogenic carcinoma with metastases to the pituitary gland.

Tumours metastasizing to the pituitary gland are uncommon. Symptomatic patients with pituitary metastases can present with diabetes insipidus, headache, visual field defects and/or anterior pituitary hormonal dysfunction. Treatment options for pituitary metastases include, surgical resection, cranial or parasellar irradiation and/or chemotherapy, and hormonal replacement if indicated. The overall prognosis of pituitary metastases is poor. We present a case of hypopituitarism as the presenting feature of bronchogenic carcinoma with metastases to the pituitary gland.