Effect of hyperparathyroidism on coagulation: a global assessment by modified rotation thromboelastogram (ROTEM)

Background/aim: Hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by hypercalcemia. Because of calcium's effects on parathyroid glands, bone, intestines, and kidneys, it has an important place in homeostasis. The results of studies regarding hyperparathyroidism hemostasis are conflicting. Thromboelastography helps to evaluate all steps of hemostatic system. Our aim in this study was to investigate the possible role of hemostatic mechanisms in the development of thrombosis in hyperparathyroid patients with the modified rotation thromboelastogram (ROTEM). Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and 20 healthy controls were involved. This study was conducted in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Endocrinology and Hematology clinics for 2 years. The complete blood count, fibrinogen, D-dimer levels, prothrombin time, activated prothrombin time, and ROTEM parameters [clot formation time (CFT), clotting time (CT), and maximum clot formation (MCF)] were determined by two activated tests, INTEM and EXTEM analyses. A thromboelastographic evaluation was performed in the preoperative and postoperative (3 months after surgery) periods. Results: In INTEM assay, the CT (p = 0.012) and CFT (p = 0.07) values were increased in preoperative PHPT patients compared with the control group. Although there was a decrease in the postoperative CT and CFT values, no statistical difference was found. Conclusion: The prolongation of the CT and CFT values were consistent with a hypocoagulable state in patients with PHPT. Hyperparathyroidism causes a hypocoagulable state that can be successfully assessed by ROTEM. Hemostatic changes, do not seem to have an effect on increased cardiovascular mortality.

Neopterin and biopterin levels and tryptophan degradation in patients with diabetes.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible changes of neopterin, biopterin levels and tryptophan degradation in diabetes and to compare the results within diabetes groups and with healthy subjects. Diabetes mellitus patients and healthy controls were recruited the study. Patients were further subgrouped according to their drug therapy. Serum neopterin concentrations were detected by ELISA. Urinary neopterin, biopterin, serum tryptophan (Trp) and kynurenine (Kyn) levels were detected by HPLC. There was no difference between controls and diabetes patients in serum neopterin, urinary neopterin and biopterin levels (p > 0.05, all). Serum Trp and Kyn levels were significantly different in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients compared to controls (p < 0.05, both). Serum neopterin levels were significantly higher in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) compared to T1DM (p < 0.05). Urinary biopterin levels of T2DM patients using both metformin and vildagliptin were significantly higher than T1DM patients (p < 0.05). The correlations between serum neopterin and urinary neopterin, Kyn and Kyn/Trp were statistically significant in control and patient groups (p < 0.05, all). The study showed that Kyn/Trp was altered in diabetes patients due to immune modulation. On the other hand, although xenobiotic exposure may change pteridine levels, metformin and/or vildagliptin use in T2DM patients did not have any effect on the measured parameters.

Rituximab Treatment in a Patient with Active Graves' Orbitopathy and Psoriasis.

Management of Graves' orbitopathy remains an important therapeutic challenge. Current therapeutic modalities are unsatisfactory in about one third of patients. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against CD20 antigen that is expressed in mature and immature B cells. Early experience with rituximab suggests that it is a promising alternative therapy for Graves' orbitopathy. Here we report a case of a 49-year-old woman with Graves' orbitopathy and psoriasis. The patient received 2 infusions of 1 g rituximab 2 weeks apart. Although there was improvement in inflammatory signs of the disease, proptosis did not change after the treatment.

Investigation on carbohydrate counting method in type 1 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The results from Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) have propounded the importance of the approach of treatment by medical nutrition when treating diabetes mellitus (DM). During this study, we tried to inquire carbohydrate (Kh) count method's positive effects on the type 1 DM treatment's success as well as on the life quality of the patients. METHODS: 22 of 37 type 1 DM patients who applied to Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, had been treated by Kh count method and 15 of them are treated by multiple dosage intensive insulin treatment with applying standard diabetic diet as a control group and both of groups were under close follow-up for 6 months. Required approval was taken from the Ethical Committee of Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Medical Faculty, as well as informed consent from the patients. The body weight of patients who are treated by carbohydrate count method and multiple dosage intensive insulin treatment during the study beginning and after 6-month term, body mass index, and body compositions are analyzed. A short life quality and medical research survey applied. At statistical analysis, t-test, chi-squared test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used. RESULTS: There had been no significant change determined at glycemic control indicators between the Kh counting group and the standard diabetic diet and multiple dosage insulin treatment group in our study. CONCLUSION: As a result, Kh counting method which offers a flexible nutrition plan to diabetic individuals is a functional method.

Bladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: To reevaluate urodynamic findings of bladder dysfunction (BD) in type 2 diabetic patients with patient characteristics and concommittant chronic complications. METHODS: Patients (M/F:27/27) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) underwent a detailed urodynamic investigation. Urodynamic findings were classified as diabetic cystopathy [DC, characterized by impaired bladder sensation, increased post-void residual urine (PVR) and increased bladder capacity and decreased bladder contractility], detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), urge and stress urinary incontinence or BD in which one of the alterations was included. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, sensorimotor, and autonomic neuropathies were evaluated. RESULTS: BD was present in 74.07% of men (DC, 50%; BOO, 25%; detrusor overactivity, 25%) and in 59.26% of diabetic women (DC, 43.75%; detrusor overactivity, 31%; urge incontinence, 12.5%; stress urinary incontinence 12.5%). In men, age, duration of diabetes and HbA1C threshold values predicting BD were >64 years, >9 year, >7.9%, while in women, they were >56 years, >8 years, >7%, respectively. Prolongation of QTc, abnormal esophageal transit and gastric emptying times, diabetic retinopathy, and microalbuminuria were associated with an increased risk of PVR >or= 100 ml. CONCLUSIONS: DC was the most frequent finding in patients. Ageing, duration of diabetes, worse metabolic control, PVR 100 ml, cardiac, esophageal and gastric parasympathetic autonomic neuropathies, retinopathy, and microalbuminuria provided a means to predict BD in patients in order to investigate by urodynamics. The establishment of DC in at least 8-9 years after the diagnosis of type 2 DM was an important parameter to inform our diabetic patients.

Serum cystatin C and urinary enzymes as screening markers of renal dysfunction in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, the assessment and follow-up of early renal dysfunction is important in diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether the serum cystatin C (Cys C) and activities of some tubular enzymes could be used as screening markers for renal dysfunction in diabetic patients. METHODS: Serum Cys C levels and urinary activities of N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and whole blood glycolyse hemoglobin (HbA1C) were measured in 56 diabetic patients and 20 healthy subjects (controls). The results were compared with serum creatinine (Cr) and creatinine clearance (CCr), which were measured and estimated with the Cockcroft-Gault formula (CCG) and 24-hr urine microalbuminuria (MAU). We examined the influence of albuminuria, HbA1C and CCr levels of patients on the levels of the analyzed parameters. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of renal impairment were calculated by a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for serum Cys C, Cr and urinary enzymes. RESULTS: In normoalbuminurics, only serum Cys C levels and urinary NAG activities were found elevated as compared to controls. In addition to the elevation of serum Cys C levels and urinary activities of NAG, urinary ALP and LDH activities were also found elevated in microalbuminurics. Serum Cys C levels and urinary NAG, ALP, LDH activities started to increase above the normal range when CCr declined and while serum Cr was in the normal range in patients with 50

Bone remodelling markers and serum cytokines in patients with hyperthyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed in order to evaluate bone turnover with bone formation and resorption markers in hyperthyroidism and its possible relationship with serum cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha), levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Twenty-six hyperthyroid patients including nine with Graves' disease, 14 with toxic multi-nodular disease and three toxic adenoma were studied. Twenty normal subjects served as the control group. MEASUREMENTS: Serum calcium, phosphorus, total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, procollagen type 1-C peptide (PICP), osteocalcin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha measurements were performed and deoxypyridinoline (free DPD), calcium, phosphorus and creatinine levels were measured in fasting morning urine specimens of all hyperthyroid patients and all controls. Also, serum total and free T3 and T4 and TSH were analysed and thyroid antiperoxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies were determined in sera of hyperthyroid patients. Patients with hyperthyroidism received propylthiouracil treatment until the achievement of euthyroidism and then serum cytokine levels were remeasured. RESULTS: Mean serum values of osteocalcin, total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase were all significantly higher in hyperthyroid patients than in normal controls. PICP levels were not significantly different between these two groups. Urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were markedly elevated in hyperthyroid patients compared to the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between urinary free DPD levels and serum free T3, free T4 and T4 levels. Serum free T4 levels also correlated with urinary calcium levels. Serum IL-6 values were significantly higher in hyperthyroid patients compared to control group. TNF-alpha levels were slightly lower in patients with hyperthyroidism. No significant correlation was found between bone remodelling markers and serum cytokines. Serum Il-6 levels were correlated positively with age. After the treatment period both IL-6 and TNF-alpha returned to levels comparable with euthyroid controls. CONCLUSION: Bone turnover is increased in favour of resorption and the rate of resorption is associated with the levels of thyroid hormones in hyperthyroidism. The increase in the levels of serum IL-6 in hyperthyroidism is not related directly with bone resorption seen in hyperthyroidism.