Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gestational diabetes in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain).

SUBJECT-MATTER: To assess the effect of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on gestational diabetes (GDM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective, multicentre, non-interventional study carried out in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, we compared 663 women with GDM exposed to the pandemic (pandemic group), with 622 women with GDM seen one year earlier (pre-pandemic group). The primary endpoint was a Large for Gestational Age (LGA) newborn as an indicator of poor GDM control. Secondary endpoints included obstetric and neonatal complications. RESULTS: During the pandemic, the gestational week at diagnosis (24.2 ±â€¯7.4 vs 22.9 ±â€¯7.7, p = 0.0016) and first visit to Endocrinology (26.6 ±â€¯7.2 vs 25.3 ±â€¯7.6, p = 0.0014) were earlier. Face-to-face consultations were maintained in most cases (80.3%). The new diagnostic criteria for GDM were used in only 3% of cases. However, in the pandemic group, the final HbA1c was higher (5.2 ±â€¯0.48 vs 5.29 ±â€¯0.44%, p = 0.047) and there were more LGA newborns (8.5% vs 12.8%, p = 0.015). There were no differences in perinatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Care for GDM in our Public Health System did not significantly deteriorate during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this did not prevent a higher number of LGA newborns.

Improving management of severe hypoparathyroidism: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoparathyroidism is considered a rare endocrine disease. Despite being a deficiency of parathyroid hormone, the standard therapy is based on oral calcium and active vitamin D supplementation. This approach provides satisfactory management in most cases but may be inadequate for patients in the most complex spectrum of the disease. Other therapies are being explored, and among them, the use of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH) has proved to decrease the requirements of calcium and active vitamin D to reach adequate therapeutic goals. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide information on the effectiveness of the current recombinant parathyroid hormone analogs in the clinical management of difficult to control cases of hypoparathyroidism. METHOD AND MATERIALS: We report our experience using teriparatide and PTH (1-84) through five complex cases of hypoparathyroidism of diverse etiologies. We describe each case and report the effectiveness of treatment in clinical practice. RESULTS: Four patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism and one patient with autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, all of them with suboptimal control under the standard treatment with calcium and calcitriol supplements or calcium gluconate infusion, are presented. They were all started on teriparatide or PTH (1-84), and all of them showed a diminishment of symptoms and were able to maintain normocalcemia without parenteral calcium despite a reduction of oral treatment. CONCLUSION: This article highlights the effectiveness and safety of hormonal replacement treatment in difficult to manage hypoparathyroidism and provides evidence which justifies its off-label prescription in the case of teriparatide. We consider that this treatment should be considered in cases in which standard treatment fails to reach adequate therapeutic goals.

Health care activity at the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of Castilla-La Mancha (the AACENCAM study).

INTRODUCTION: This study was promoted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes to ascertain the characteristics of patients seen at the outpatient clinics of endocrinology and nutrition of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Authority and the case mix of diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the activity of the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of public hospitals of Castile-La Mancha during 2018. All visits made on 10% of the working days were analyzed. Data collected comprised patient age and sex, whether a first or subsequent had been made, and whether this was face-to-face or not, and up to five diagnoses per visit. RESULTS: A total of 10,709 visits with a subsequent/first visit ratio of 3.4 were analyzed. Patient age was 52.1?±?18.2 years, and 67.1% were women. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary hypothyroidism, thyroid nodular disease, and obesity/overweight were the most common conditions recorded as first diagnosis, accounting for more than half of the total number of visits. Type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid cancer were the diagnoses in which the subsequent/first visit ratio was greater. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and primary hypothyroidism accounted for almost half of the first visits. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of conditions were seen, some of which are among the most prevalent in the general population, while others are not so prevalent, but are complex and difficult to manage by other specialties. Improved knowledge and analysis of the data should allow for the identification of opportunities for improvement and for the implementation of specific actions.

Health care activity at the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of Castile-La Mancha (the AACENCAM study). / Actividad asistencial en las consultas de Endocrinología y Nutrición de Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AACENCAM).

INTRODUCTION: This study was promoted by Sociedad Castellano-Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes to ascertain the characteristics of patients seen at the outpatient clinics of endocrinology and nutrition of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Authority and the case mix of diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the activity of the endocrinology and nutrition outpatient clinics of public hospitals of Castile-La Mancha during 2018. All visits made on 10% of the working days were analyzed. Data collected comprised patient age and sex, whether a first or subsequent had been made, and whether this was face-to-face or not, and up to five diagnoses per visit. RESULTS: A total of 10,709 visits with a subsequent/first visit ratio of 3.4 were analyzed. Patient age was 52.1 ± 18.2 years, and 67.1% were women. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary hypothyroidism, thyroid nodular disease, and obesity/overweight were the most common conditions recorded as first diagnosis, accounting for more than half of the total number of visits. Type 1 diabetes mellitus and thyroid cancer were the diagnoses in which the subsequent/first visit ratio was greater. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and primary hypothyroidism accounted for almost half of the first visits. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of conditions were seen, some of which are among the most prevalent in the general population, while others are not so prevalent, but are complex and difficult to manage by other specialties. Improved knowledge and analysis of the data should allow for the identification of opportunities for improvement and for the implementation of specific actions.

Actividad asistencial en planta de Endocrinología y Nutrición en Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AAPENCAM) / Healthcare on the Endocrinology and Nutrition ward in Castille-La Mancha (the AAPENCAM study)

INTRODUCCIÓN: La actividad de los servicios de Endocrinología y Nutrición (EYN) incluye la asistencia en planta de pacientes propios o mediante interconsultas. La actividad asistencial en planta del conjunto de servicios de EYN de un sistema público de salud no ha sido estudiada en nuestro país. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de la actividad en planta de hospitalización durante 2018 de los Servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha para conocer las características de los pacientes atendidos, tanto con carácter de interconsulta como ingresados a cargo de los propios servicios, así como la casuística de la patología de dichos pacientes. Se analizaron todos los pacientes ingresados a cargo de EYN y una muestra del 10% de los atendidos como interconsulta. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 261 ingresos a cargo de los servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha. El 82,8% tuvieron carácter urgente y el 53,7% fueron por diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Se atendieron 5955 pacientes en régimen de interconsulta, de los cuales se analizó una muestra de 591. El motivo de interconsulta más frecuente fue la diabetes mellitus/hiperglucemia (28,8%), requiriendo 6,1±6,7 días por paciente. Sin embargo, las interconsultas para nutrición artificial requirieron más días de asistencia por paciente y supusieron un porcentaje mayor del total de días de interconsulta (60,4%). CONCLUSIONES: La actividad en planta de los servicios de EYN del Servicio Público de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha se basa en la asistencia de pacientes con patologías crónicas de alta prevalencia hospitalaria como la diabetes mellitus/hiperglucemia y, especialmente, la Nutrición Clínica

INTRODUCTION: The activity of an Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N) department consists of inpatient care both by those attached to the department and through consultations with specialists from other departments. The inpatient care activity of all the E&N departments of a public health system has not been studied in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of hospital ward activity during 2018 of the E&N departments of the Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service. It was undertaken in order to ascertain the characteristics of the patients attended to, both by those in charge of the E&N departments and through interconsultation with other departments, as well as the case-mix of the pathology of these patients. All patients admitted to E&N and a 10% sample of those treated through interconsultation were analysed. RESULTS: 261 admissions were recorded for Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service E&N departments. 82.8% were urgent and 53.7% were due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. A total of 5955 patients were seen on an interconsultation basis, 591 of whom were analysed. The most frequent reason for interconsultation was diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia (28.8%), requiring 6.1±6.7 days per patient. However, interconsultations for artificial nutrition required more days of attendance per patient and accounted for a higher percentage of the total number of days of interconsultation (60.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient care activity of the E&N departments of Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service mainly consists of attending to patients with chronic pathologies of high hospital prevalence such as diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia and, especially, clinical nutrition

Desarrollo de un índice de complejidad en consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición / Development of an index of complexity for outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las herramientas para analizar la casuística en consultas externas son escasas e insatisfactorias. El objetivo de este trabajo de la Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) fue el desarrollo de una herramienta que permita analizar la casuística de las consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición teniendo en cuenta la complejidad de la patología atendida. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se definió el Índice SCAMEND de Complejidad en Consultas Externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición (ISCCE-EyN) mediante método Delphi con dos rondas entre especialistas en Endocrinología y Nutrición, comparando la complejidad de cada patología con la de una revisión de hipotiroidismo primario. RESULTADOS: Las primeras visitas fueron consideradas más complejas que las visitas sucesivas. La patología tiroidea no neoplásica y el sobrepeso/obesidad sin complicaciones fueron consideradas las patologías menos complejas, mientras que las metabolopatías, los síndromes de neoplasias endocrinas múltiples y el carcinoma suprarrenal fueron consideradas las más complejas. El grado de consenso fue elevado en la mayoría de las patologías analizadas. CONCLUSIONES: Presentamos una herramienta que permite analizar la casuística de las consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición teniendo en cuenta la complejidad inherente a la patología del paciente atendido. Esta herramienta puede servir para realizar comparaciones entre centros, para asignar mejores recursos dentro de un determinado servicio o para la autoevaluación

INTRODUCTION: The tools for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient clinics are scarce few and unsatisfactory. The objective of this study conducted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) was to develop a tool that allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, considering bearing in mind the complexity of the conditions seen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Delphi method, the SCAMEND index of complexity in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics (ISCCE-EyN) was developed by endocrinologists in two rounds, comparing the complexity of each condition being compared with that of a review visit of primary hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The first visits were considered more complex than the subsequent visits. Non-neoplastic thyroid disease and uncomplicated overweight/obesity were considered as the least complex diseases, while metabolic diseases, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and adrenal carcinoma were considered as the most complex. The degree of agreement was high in most of the diseases analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This tool allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, based on the inherent complexity of the disease of the patient is reported. This tool may be used for comparisons between centers, to better allocate resources within a given service, or for self-evaluation

Development of an index of complexity for outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics. / Desarrollo de un índice de complejidad en consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición.

INTRODUCTION: The tools for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient clinics are scarce few and unsatisfactory. The objective of this study conducted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) was to develop a tool that allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, considering bearing in mind the complexity of the conditions seen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Delphi method, the SCAMEND index of complexity in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics (ISCCE-EyN) was developed by endocrinologists in two rounds, comparing the complexity of each condition being compared with that of a review visit of primary hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The first visits were considered more complex than the subsequent visits. Non-neoplastic thyroid disease and uncomplicated overweight/obesity were considered as the least complex diseases, while metabolic diseases, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and adrenal carcinoma were considered as the most complex. The degree of agreement was high in most of the diseases analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This tool allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, based on the inherent complexity of the disease of the patient is reported. This tool may be used for comparisons between centers, to better allocate resources within a given service, or for self-evaluation.

Healthcare on the Endocrinology and Nutrition ward in Castille-La Mancha (the AAPENCAM study). / Actividad asistencial en planta de Endocrinología y Nutrición en Castilla-La Mancha (estudio AAPENCAM).

INTRODUCTION: The activity of an Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N) department consists of inpatient care both by those attached to the department and through consultations with specialists from other departments. The inpatient care activity of all the E&N departments of a public health system has not been studied in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of hospital ward activity during 2018 of the E&N departments of the Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service. It was undertaken in order to ascertain the characteristics of the patients attended to, both by those in charge of the E&N departments and through interconsultation with other departments, as well as the case-mix of the pathology of these patients. All patients admitted to E&N and a 10% sample of those treated through interconsultation were analysed. RESULTS: 261 admissions were recorded for Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service E&N departments. 82.8% were urgent and 53.7% were due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. A total of 5955 patients were seen on an interconsultation basis, 591 of whom were analysed. The most frequent reason for interconsultation was diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia (28.8%), requiring 6.1±6.7 days per patient. However, interconsultations for artificial nutrition required more days of attendance per patient and accounted for a higher percentage of the total number of days of interconsultation (60.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient care activity of the E&N departments of Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service mainly consists of attending to patients with chronic pathologies of high hospital prevalence such as diabetes mellitus/hyperglucemia and, especially, clinical nutrition.

Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention in patients with medically unexplained symptoms: cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Medically unexplained symptoms are an important mental health problem in primary care and generate a high cost in health services.Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy have proven effective in these patients. However, there are few studies on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions by primary health care. The project aims to determine whether a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in patients with medically unexplained symptoms, is more effective than routine clinical practice to improve the quality of life measured by the SF-12 questionary at 12 month. METHODS/DESIGN: This study involves a community based cluster randomized trial in primary healthcare centres in Madrid (Spain). The number of patients required is 242 (121 in each arm), all between 18 and 65 of age with medically unexplained symptoms that had seeked medical attention in primary care at least 10 times during the previous year. The main outcome variable is the quality of life measured by the SF-12 questionnaire on Mental Healthcare. Secondary outcome variables include number of consultations, number of drug (prescriptions) and number of days of sick leave together with other prognosis and descriptive variables. Main effectiveness will be analyzed by comparing the percentage of patients that improve at least 4 points on the SF-12 questionnaire between intervention and control groups at 12 months. All statistical tests will be performed with intention to treat. Logistic regression with random effects will be used to adjust for prognostic factors. Confounding factors or factors that might alter the effect recorded will be taken into account in this analysis. DISCUSSION: This study aims to provide more insight to address medically unexplained symptoms, highly prevalent in primary care, from a quantitative methodology. It involves intervention group conducted by previously trained nursing staff to diminish the progression to the chronicity of the symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce frequency of medical consultations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01484223 [http://ClinicalTrials.gov].

Resultados del sistema Paradigm Real Time 722® en una serie de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo I / Paradigm Real Time 722® results in patient series with diabetes mellitus type 1

Introducción. Paradigm Real Time 722® (PRT-722) permite la infusión subcutánea continua de insulina (ISCI) y la monitorización continua de glucosa intersticial en tiempo real (MCG-TR). Aparte de ensayos clínicos, no hay información sobre sus beneficios en la clínica habitual. Objetivos. Analizar los cambios en el control glucémico y en la calidad de vida relacionada con la diabetes (CVRD) en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) tratados con sistema PRT-722 a 3 y 12 meses. Material y métodos. Seguimiento durante 12 meses de 24 pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento con el sistema PRT-722. Variables: tratamiento insulínico, CVRD (cuestionario EsQOL), hipoglucemias graves (encuesta retrospectiva), MCG y hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1C). Resultados. Duración media de DM1, 15,5 ± 9,5 años. Las hipoglucemias graves durante el año anterior fue de 1,54 ± 4. La puntuación EsQOL basal, 92,79 ± 18,42. La frecuencia de uso de MCG-TR fue 3 meses, 20 ± 10,7%; 12 meses, 20,2 ± 13,1%. Detectamos un descenso de HbA1C de 0,6 ± 0,2% y 0,49 ± 0,19% a los 3 y los 12 meses, respectivamente, y menos hipoglucemias graves (1,08 ± 0,53; p < 0,05) durante el seguimiento. Además observamos una mejoría en la puntuación EsQOL a 3 (83,8 ± 21,6; p < 0,05) y 12 meses (79,41 ± 13,81; p < 0,05). Conclusiones. La utilización de PRT-722, con una frecuencia de uso de MCG-TR del 20%, se asoció con un descenso de HbA1C, menos hipoglucemias graves y una mejoría de la CVRD(AU)

Background and objectives. Paradigm Real Time 722® (PRT-722) is a dual electronic device, which allows both continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM). There is no information available from controlled trials on their benefits during normal clinical practice. Our objective was to determine blood glucose and quality of life improvement at three and twelve months in PRT-722 treated type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Patients and methods. One-year follow-up was conducted on 24 patients who started PRT-722. Insulin treatment, diabetes quality of life (DQOL), severe hypoglycaemic events, capillary glucose, HbA1C and continuous glucose information, were all recorded. Results. T1DM medium duration, 15.5±9.5 years. Severe hypoglycaemic events during 1 year before PRT-722, 1.54±4. DQOL pre-PRT 722 score, 92.79±18.42. CGM system frequency use: 3-months, 20±10.7%; 12-months, 20.2±13.1%. We detected a significant reduction in HbA1C levels at 3 and 12 months (0.6±0.2% and 0.49±0.19%, respectively), as well as in severe hypoglycaemic events during follow-up, 1.08±0.53 (p < .05). We also observed a significant improvement in DQOL score at 3 months (83.8±21.6, p < .05) and 12 months (79.41±13.81, p < .05). Conclusions. RT-CGM use close to 20 per cent with PRT-722 dual system was associated with a reduction of HbA1C levels, less severe hypoglycaemias and improvement of DQOL in T1DM patients at 3 and 12 months(AU)

Manejo clínico del incidentaloma suprarrenal: resultados de una encuesta / Clinical management of adrenal incidentalomas: results of a survey

Introducción: El incidentaloma suprarrenal (IS) es una masa adrenal clínicamente silente que se descubre por casualidad en una prueba de imagen durante el estudio de una situación clínica no relacionada con la adrenal. Existen diversos protocolos de actuación ante el IS. Evaluamos la aplicación habitual de estos algoritmos mediante una encuesta de actividad clínica. Material y método: La encuesta incluía centro de trabajo, evaluación hormonal y radiológica inicial, pruebas de imagen y de función hormonal para completar el estudio, indicaciones de cirugía y seguimiento clínico. Resultados: Se encuestó a 33 endocrinólogos (el 79% de los asistentes al congreso anual de la Sociedad Castellano-Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes). El 46% de los entrevistados considera el tamaño tumoral como el factor más importante que orienta a malignidad en la valoración inicial del IS; este límite se sitúa en 4 cm para el 78% de los endocrinólogos. El 39% suele llevar a cabo una resonancia magnética para completar el estudio de imagen. En el análisis hormonal todos realizan siempre cribado de hipercortisolismo y feocromocitoma. Otras valoraciones efectuadas siempre en todos los IS incluyen: hiperaldosteronismo (76%), tumor productor de hormonas sexuales (51%) e hiperplasia suprarrenal congénita (30%). El 79% de los encuestados comienza (..) (AU)

Introduction: Incidentalomas are clinically silent adrenal masses that are discovered incidentally during diagnostic testing for clinical conditions unrelated to suspicion of adrenal disease. Several decision algorithms are used in the management of adrenal masses. We evaluated the routine use of these algorithms through a clinical activity questionnaire. Material and method: The questionnaire included data on the work center, initial hormonal and radiological study, imaging and hormonal tests performed to complete the study, surgical indications and clinical follow-up. Results: Thirty-three endocrinologists (79%) attending the annual congress of the Castilla-La Mancha Society of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Diabetes completed the questionnaire. Forty-six percent considered tumoral size to be the most important factor suggesting malignancy in the initial evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas, the limit being 4 cm for 78% of the endocrinologists. Imaging study was completed by magnetic resonance imaging by 39%. All the physicians always performed screening for hypercortisolism and pheochromocytoma. Other assessments always conducted in all incidentalomas included hyperaldosteronism (76%), sex hormone-producing tumor (51%) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (30%). Seventy-nine percent of respondents began to refer incidentalomas larger than 4 cm for surgical treatment, and 46% referred all tumors larger than 6 cm for surgical treatment. With regard to hormonal (..) (AU)