Adequate restitution in primary hypothyroidism depending on levothyroxine formulations / Restitución adecuada en hipotiroidismo primario según las presentaciones de levotirotiroxina

Background: The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism (PH) is around 3.8%-4.6% in general population. Out of patients under treatment with levothyroxine, approximately 40% show altered levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Objective: To determine the prevalence of euthyroid sick syndrome in patients under treatment for PH in two local clinics, considering that the number of formulations of levothyroxine could be a contributing factor to the inadequate restitution. Methods: Descriptive, comparative cohort conducted with PH patients who were treated with a stable dose of levothyroxine for at least six months. Patients treated with mixtures of liothyronine/levothyroxine, with postsurgical hypothyroidism, pregnant, breastfeeding or mentally ill were discarded. Medical clinic 1 was a public center that had only access to levothyroxine of 100 µg, and medical clinic 2 was a private clinic with access to 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg levothyroxine formulations. Results: A total of 350 patients were evaluated. 190 patients were obtained at clinic 1, and 160 patients at clinic 2. At clinic 1, only 63% received the appropriate dose, while at clinic 2, 75% were medicated with the correct dose (p = 0.033). Conclusion: In the public center, 39% of patients did not receive appropriate dose of levothyroxine; however, in the private clinic, which had more drug formulations, the percentage of patients lowered to 25%. Therefore, the number of formulations could be a factor for the risk of inadequate restitution.

Introducción: La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo primario (HP) en la población general oscila entre 3.8 y 4.6%. De los pacientes que están bajo tratamiento con levotiroxina, aproximadamente 40% muestra una hormona estimulante de la tiroides (TSH) anormal. Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de eutiroidismo en pacientes tratados por HP en dos clínicas de nuestra localidad, considerando que las presentaciones de levotiroxina pudiesen ser un factor contribuyente. Métodos: Cohorte comparativa de pacientes con HP tratados con levotiroxina en dosis estable por más de seis meses. Se descartaron los pacientes tratados con mezclas de liotironina/levotiroxina, hipotiroidismo postquirúrgico, embarazadas o en lactancia e individuos con enfermedades mentales. La clínica 1 (entidad pública) contó con levotiroxina de 100 µg y la clínica 2 (entidad privada) con pastillas de 25, 50, 75 y 100 µg. Resultados: Evaluamos 350 pacientes. De la clínica 1 se obtuvieron 190 y de la clínica 2 fueron 160. En la clínica 1, el 63% recibió la dosis adecuada, mientras que en la clínica 2, el 75% eran medicados con la dosis correcta (p = 0.033). Conclusiones: En la entidad pública, 39% no recibió la dosis adecuada de levotiroxina; sin embargo, en la entidad privada, con más presentaciones del medicamento, el número disminuye a 25%. Por lo tanto el número de presentaciones podría ser un factor influyente para lograr el eutiroidismo.

SGLT2 inhibitors as add on therapy in type 2 diabetes: a real world study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive chronic disease associated with severe microvascular and macrovascular complications. Our aim is to assess the real world effectiveness of SGT" inhibitors in achieving metabolic therapeutic goals. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study. Inclusion criteria for patients were a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, age > 18 years, patients receiving either dapagliflozin 10 mg and/or canagliflozin 300 mg. We excluded pregnant patients, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and acute metabolic complications of diabetes. Patients included in the analysis were enrolled in a health plan at least 6 months prior to the index date (baseline period) and in the 6 months following the index date (follow-up period). Achievement of glycated hemoglobin goals were established as <7%. RESULTS: We screened 2870 Mexican patients; 288 (10.03% received SGLT2 inhibitors). Mean age for both groups of patients was 57.68 ± 11.06 years. The dapagliflozin control rate was 19.56% and the canagliflozin control rate 18.96%. Monotherapy with SGLT2 inhibitors was used in 21 patients (6.25%). Overall HbA1c goals were met in 56 patients (19.44%) with similar results with dapagliflozin or canagliflozin. The combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and sulfonylureas had the highest control rate (30.30%) compared to other regimens. Monotherapy was present in 6.25%. Insulin requirement was associated with poor control (2.8% vs. 18.05%, P < 0.05, 95% CI [0.07, 0.84]). Combination therapy with DPP4 inhibitors was associated with better control (P < 0.05, 95% CI, [1.10, 3.92]). CONCLUSION: No difference between the drugs was observed. Real-world effectiveness data of SGLT2 inhibitors show that the percentage of patients reaching metabolic goals is low. SLGT2 inhibitors were used more frequently as combined therapy.

Glucose disturbances in non-diabetic patients receiving acute treatment with methylprednisolone pulses.

OBJECTIVE: Methylprednisolone pulses are used in a variety of disease conditions, both for acute and chronic therapy. Although well tolerated, they increase glucose levels in both non-diabetic and diabetic patients. They may also be considered a significant risk for acute metabolic alterations. The purpose of this report is to determine the metabolic changes in blood glucose levels in non-diabetic patients receiving methylprednisolone pulses and identify the presence of predictive factors for its development. METHODS: Observational, prospective study in 50 non-diabetic patients receiving 1 g intravenous methylprednisolone pulses for three consecutive days as an indication for diverse autoimmune disorders. Demographic, anthropometric, and metabolic variables were analyzed, and glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels after each steroid pulse were identified. Different variables and the magnitude of hyperglycemia were analyzed using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: 50 patients were included, predominantly women (66%, n = 33). The average age was 41 ± 14 years with a BMI of 26 ± 3 kg/m². Baseline glucose was 83 ± 10 mg/dL. After each steroid pulse, glucose increased to 140 ± 28, 160 ± 38 and 183 ± 44, respectively (p < 0.001). C-peptide and insulin concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.001). The prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia after each pulse was 68%, 94% and 98%, respectively. We found no correlation between the magnitude of hyperglycemia and the studied variables. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone pulses produced significant increases in fasting glucose in most patients without diabetes. Further studies are needed to define its role in long-term consequences.

Glucose disturbances in non-diabetic patients receiving acute treatment with methylprednisolone pulses / Distúrbios de glicose em pacientes não diabéticos que recebem tratamento agudo com pulsos de metilprednisolona

OBJECTIVE: Methylprednisolone pulses are used in a variety of disease conditions, both for acute and chronic therapy. Although well tolerated, they increase glucose levels in both non-diabetic and diabetic patients. They may also be considered a significant risk for acute metabolic alterations. The purpose of this report is to determine the metabolic changes in blood glucose levels in non-diabetic patients receiving methylprednisolone pulses and identify the presence of predictive factors for its development. METHODS: Observational, prospective study in 50 non-diabetic patients receiving 1 g intravenous methylprednisolone pulses for three consecutive days as an indication for diverse autoimmune disorders. Demographic, anthropometric, and metabolic variables were analyzed, and glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels after each steroid pulse were identified. Different variables and the magnitude of hyperglycemia were analyzed using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: 50 patients were included, predominantly women (66 percent, n = 33). The average age was 41 ± 14 years with a BMI of 26 ± 3 kg/m². Baseline glucose was 83 ± 10 mg/dL. After each steroid pulse, glucose increased to 140 ± 28, 160 ± 38 and 183 ± 44, respectively (p < 0.001). C-peptide and insulin concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.001). The prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia after each pulse was 68 percent, 94 percent and 98 percent, respectively. We found no correlation between the magnitude of hyperglycemia and the studied variables. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone pulses produced significant increases in fasting glucose in most patients without diabetes. Further studies are needed to define its role in long-term consequences.

OBJETIVO: Pulsos de metilprednisolona são usados em diversas doenças, tanto para tratamento agudo quanto crônico. Embora bem tolerados, eles aumentam os níveis de glicose em ambos os pacientes, não diabéticos e diabéticos. Eles também podem ser considerados um risco significativo para alterações metabólicas agudas. O propósito deste estudo é determinar as alterações metabólicas nos níveis de glicose no sangue de pacientes não diabéticos que recebem pulsos de metilprednisolona e identificar a presença de fatores preditivos para seu desenvolvimento. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional prospectivo em 50 pacientes não diabéticos que recebem pulsoterapia com 1 g de metilprednisolona intravenosa por três dias consecutivos como tratamento para diversas doenças autoimunes. Variáveis demográficas, antropométricas e metabólicas foram analisadas, e glicose, insulina e níveis de peptídeo C foram identificados após cada pulso de esteroide. Diferentes variáveis e a magnitude da hiperglicemia foram analisadas utilizando a correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: 50 pacientes foram incluídos, predominantemente mulheres (66 por cento, n = 33). A idade média foi de 41 ± 14 anos com um IMC de 26 ± 3 kg/m². A glicose de base foi de 83 ± 10 mg/dL. Após cada pulso de esteroide, a glicose aumentou para 140 ± 28, 160 ± 38 e 183 ± 44, respectivamente (p < 0,001). Peptídeo C e concentrações de insulina aumentaram significativamente (p < 0,001). A prevalência de hiperglicemia em jejum após cada pulso foi de 68 por cento, 94 por cento e 98 por cento, respectivamente. Não encontramos nenhuma correlação entre a magnitude da hiperglicemia e as variáveis estudadas. CONCLUSÃO: Os pulsos de metilprednisolona produziram aumentos significativos na glicemia de jejum na maioria dos pacientes sem diabetes. Mais estudos são necessários para definir o seu papel nas consequências em longo prazo.

[Thyroid incidentaloma frequency in a university hospital]. / Prevalencia del incidentaloma tiroideo en un hospital universitario.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of thyroid incidentaloma is variable and always created the dilemma of how to manage them. The objective was to determine the frequency of thyroid incidentalomas in a University Hospital. METHODS: A descriptive, transversal, prospective study was done; a non-probabilistic sample was used with patients who met the following criteria: >18 years, indiscriminate sex, and an image that included neck: ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance. Patients with known or suspected thyroid nodule or any other thyroid disease and pregnant women were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: 153 patients who had the criterion; 11 patients had an incidentaloma (7.18%). Females were more frequent with seven cases (63.6%), the mean age was 56.9 years. Morphologically only a single thyroid nodule was detected. The nodules were smaller than 1.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence documented in our study is smaller than other reports, it is proposed monitoring patients with thyroid incidentalomas according to current consensus guidelines.

[Thyroid cancer in children and adolescents]. / Cáncer de tiroides en niños y adolescentes.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules in children and adolescents may be associated to malignant neoplasms. Although thyroid cancer is a rare event in this age group, delayed diagnosis is associated to metastatic, regional or lung disease, but even in these circumstances appropriate treatment may be followed by good prognosis. We decided to review the clinical course of these patients in our hospital from 1980 to 2001. METHODS: We found fifteen patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma, which had been followed by at least 12 months, with a mean of 95 months and a maximal of 10 years. All patients were treated by surgery and 131 iodine, and followed by scans, ultrasound and thyroglobulin analysis. RESULTS: The patients group were thirteen females and two males. At diagnosis, seven patients (46.7o%) had metastatic regional disease and eight had a thyroid nodule. Total thyroidectomy with a modified neck dissection and 131 iodine was the initial treatment for patients with regional disease and subtotal thyroidectomy and 131 iodine in the follow-up to treat the thyroid bed or metastases was the treatment for patients with localized disease. All patients had a histologic pattern of papillary carcinoma. Nine patients (60%) had local recurrence in a mean follow-up of 37 months, one patient that had been previously treated by total thyroidectomy and all patients that were treated by subtotal thyroidectomy, however, all responded to the complementary treatment. At this moment the mean follow up is 95 months and all the patients have survived. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience thyroid cancer in children and adolescents is a rare event whose delayed diagnosis is associated to regional lymph node or lung metastases. Subtotal thyroidectomy was associated to disease progression to metastases, but complementary treatment was successful and all patients have survived.