PSMA-Avid Liver Metastasis in a Case of Prostate Carcinoma and Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Although PSMA-targeted PET imaging is predominantly used for prostate carcinoma (PC), it has also been reported for thyroid carcinoma (TC). A 77-year-old man had a liver metastasectomy for poorly differentiated TC, which had elevated 18 F-FDG uptake. Two years later, he was diagnosed with acinar-type modified Gleason score of 7 (3 + 4) PC. Four years later, he had metastatic liver lesions that had no radioactive iodine and 18 F-FDG avidity. These lesions were 68 Ga-PSMA avid, and the biopsy confirmed TC metastasis. This case emphasizes the importance of 68 Ga-PSMA-based imaging in poorly differentiated TC and pathological confirmation for lesions that were 68 Ga-PSMA-positive.

Cognitive functions and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion.

CONTEXT: The impact of abnormal cortisol secretion on cognitive functions in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess cognitive functions, determine serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration in patients with MACS, and investigate the association between cognitive subdomains and BDNF. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 84 participants-28 patients with MACS, 28 patients with nonfunctional adrenal adenoma (NFAA), and 28 control subjects matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity, and educational level. The serum BDNF concentration of participants was measured. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-focused interviews and Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA) were carried out by an experienced psychiatrist. RESULTS: Patients with MACS had a higher serum BDNF concentration than the NFAA (P = .001), while that of patients with NFAA was lower than the controls (P = .044). Linear regression analysis revealed BMI and morning cortisol after overnight 1 mg dexamethasone (DST) were mostly associated with BDNF (P < .05). No significant difference was found in MoCA scores between MACS and NFAA groups (P = .967), whereas those were lower than the control group (P = .004). When the cognitive subdomains were examined separately, MACS group performed higher memory score than NFAA (P = .045), but lower language scores than both the NFAA (P = .024) and control groups (P < .001). In the whole group, BDNF concentration was positively correlated with memory score (r = 0.337, P = .002), whereas DST was negatively correlated with language score (r = -0.355, P = .008). CONCLUSION: Low-grade hypercortisolism is associated with elevated BDNF concentrations, which may be a protective factor for memory function in patients with MACS relative to those with NFAA.

Beyond symptomatology: A comparative analysis of unilateral and bilateral macronodular mild autonomous cortisol secretion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical, laboratory findings and signal intensity index (SII) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with bilateral and unilateral macronodular mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and laboratory findings of 81 patients with MACS were examined from retrospective records. SII of adenomas and internodular areas were evaluated by MRI. The unilateral group included patients with an adrenal macronodule (≥1 cm) in a single adrenal gland, while the bilateral group included patients with at least one macronodule in both adrenal glands. RESULTS: In total, 46 patients were in the unilateral (57%), while 35 (43%) patients were in the bilateral groups. The dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) level was lower in the unilateral than in the bilateral group (p < .001). The presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were higher in the bilateral group (p < .05). However, no significant difference was detected in terms of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) between the two groups (p > .05). There was no difference in SII between adenomas within the same patient, as well as between the unilateral and bilateral groups (p > .05). Logistic regression analysis based on the differentiation between unilateral and bilateral macronodular MACS demonstrated that DHEA-S, HbA1c and LDL concentrations were associated factors. CONCLUSION: DHEA-S levels may not be as suppressed in patients with bilateral macronodular MACS as compared to those with unilateral adenoma. T2DM and hypercholesterolaemia have a higher frequency in bilateral patients. However, ACTH, overnight 1 mg DST and SII may not provide additional information for differentiation of bilaterality and unilaterality.

Alteration in gut microbial characteristics of patients with acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Studies on intestinal microbiota in acromegaly are scant. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome in patients with acromegaly. METHOD: Stool samples were collected from 11 patients newly diagnosed with acromegaly and 12 healthy controls matched for body mass index (BMI) and age after three days on a standard diet. Clinical and gut microbial composition assessments were performed for the two participant groups using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS: There was no difference in the alpha diversity of the microbiota between the samples from patients with acromegaly and those from the healthy controls. Based on beta diversity measurements, differences in microbial community structures were found to be significant only when compared using the Jaccard similarity index. The corresponding Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio tended to be higher in individuals with acromegaly than in healthy controls. The mean relative abundance of Actinobacteriota was 2.3 times higher in the acromegaly patient group than in the control group. Eggerthellaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Bacteroidaceae were among the significantly abundant bacterial families in the samples from the acromegaly patient group, while Butyricicoccaceae and Tannerellaceae were decreased. At the level of the genus, the most discriminative features were the abundance of Prevotella 7, Bacteroides, Senegalimassilia, Enterohabdus, the Family XIII AD3011 group, Howardella, and Hungatella in the samples from the acromegaly patient group. In contrast, the Butyrivibrio and the Eubacterium eligens group were the most discriminative genera for the healthy controls and were significantly less abundant in patients with acromegaly. While there were no significantly differentiated taxa between the diabetic and non-diabetic subgroups, Prevotella_7 was significantly enriched in the osteoarthritis (OA) subgroup. No significant association was found between individual genera and growth hormone (GH) levels and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels as well as the upper limit of normal (ULN). CONCLUSION: Although alpha and beta diversity were mainly similar between the two groups, significant differences were observed between the acromegaly group and the control group at the family and genus levels. These results suggest that the differences between the microbial communities in patients with acromegaly and those in healthy individuals consist primarily of compositional differences independent of abundance. Prospective studies are needed to further explore the clinical implications of gut microbiome dysbiosis in patients with acromegaly.

Relationship between gut microbiome and bone deficits in primary hyperparathyroidism: A proof-of-concept pilot study.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) interacts with components of the gut microbiota to exert its bone-regulating effects. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbial composition in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Nine patients with PHPT and nine age-sex and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included. Gut microbial composition was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in both groups at baseline and 1 month after parathyroidectomy in the PHPT group. Data were imported into QIIME-2 and both QIIME-2 and R packages were used for microbiome analysis. Alpha and beta diversities were similar between the groups and remained unchanged after parathyroidectomy. The relative abundance of Subdoligranulum was significantly higher, whereas Ruminococcus, Alloprevotella, Phascolarctobacterium, and Clostridium sensu stricto_1 were significantly lower in PHPT than in controls (p < 0.001). After parathyroidectomy, the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum decreased, and Ruminococcus and Alloprevotella increased (p < 0.001). The PHPT group had lower total femoral and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) than the controls (p < 0.05). At baseline, Alloprevotella abundance was positively correlated with serum phosphorus and Subdoligranulum was positively correlated with total lumbar BMD. Clostridium sensu stricto_1 was negatively correlated with serum calcium and positively correlated with femoral neck BMD. Postoperatively, Alloprevotella was positively correlated with baseline serum phosphorus and Phascolarctobacterium was positively correlated with distal radius BMD. This study demonstrated that the diversity of the gut microbiome was altered, possibly in response to electrolyte changes in PHPT, both before and after parathyroidectomy.

Clinical prediction model for primary aldosteronism subtyping and special focus on adrenal volumetric assessment.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to develop a prediction model based on a simple score with clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings for the subtype diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). The contribution of adrenal volumetric assessment to PA subtyping was also investigated. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with adequate cannulation in adrenal venous sampling (AVS) were included. Laboratory data, the saline infusion test (SIT), and the AVS results of patients with PA were retrospectively evaluated. Volumetric assessment was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the ratio of adrenal volumes was calculated after adjusting for gender- and side-specific mean reference values of both adrenal glands. RESULTS: The AVS was consistent with unilateral PA in 49% and bilateral in 51% of the patients. Hypertension as a reason for work-up, the highest aldosterone/lowest potassium value higher than 12, the percentage of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) reduction after SIT by equal or less than 43.5%, the use of oral potassium replacement, unilateral disease at pre-AVS imaging, and a ratio of adjusted adrenal volumes equal to or below 1.7 were indicative of unilateral disease in univariate logistic regression analysis concerning the distinction of PA subtyping (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis also revealed that adrenal volumetric assessment has an impact on PA subtyping (p < 0.05). In the prediction model, when each of the six parameters that were significant in the univariate logistic regression analysis was assigned one point, < 4 predicted bilateral PA, whereas ≥ 4 predicted unilateral PA (AUC:0.92, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This prediction model before AVS may serve as a convenient and practical approach, while an adjusted adrenal volumetric assessment can make a positive contribution to PA subtyping.

Presentation of Graves' orbitopathy within European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) centres from 2012 to 2019 (PREGO III).

BACKGROUND: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is subject to epidemiological and care-related changes. Aim of the survey was to identify trends in presentation of GO to the European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) tertiary referral centres and initial management over time. METHODS: Prospective observational multicentre study. All new referrals with diagnosis of GO within September-December 2019 were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics, referral timelines and initial therapeutic decisions were recorded. Data were compared with a similar EUGOGO survey performed in 2012. RESULTS: Besides age (mean age: 50.5±13 years vs 47.7±14 years; p 0.007), demographic characteristics of 432 patients studied in 2019 were similar to those in 2012. In 2019, there was a decrease of severe cases (9.8% vs 14.9; p<0.001), but no significant change in proportion of active cases (41.3% vs 36.6%; p 0.217). After first diagnosis of GO, median referral time to an EUGOGO tertiary centre was shorter (2 (0-350) vs 6 (0-552) months; p<0.001) in 2019. At the time of first visit, more patients were already on antithyroid medications (80.2% vs 45.0%; p<0.001) or selenium (22.3% vs 3.0%; p<0.001). In 2019, the initial management plans for GO were similar to 2012, except for lid surgery (2.4% vs 13.9%; p<0.001) and prescription of selenium (28.5% vs 21.0%; p 0.027). CONCLUSION: GO patients are referred to tertiary EUGOGO centres in a less severe stage of the disease than before. We speculate that this might be linked to a broader awareness of the disease and faster and adequate delivered treatment.

Credibility of ChatGPT in the assessment of obesity in type 2 diabetes according to the guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) allows students, researchers, and patients in the medical field to access information easily and has gained attention nowadays. We aimed to evaluate the credibility of ChatGPT according to the guidelines for the assessment of obesity in type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is one of the major concerns of this century. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this cross-sectional non-human subject study, experienced endocrinologists posed 20 questions to ChatGPT in subsections, which were assessments and different treatment options for obesity according to the American Diabetes Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinology guidelines. The responses of ChatGPT were classified into four categories: compatible, compatible but insufficient, partially incompatible and incompatible with the guidelines. RESULTS: ChatGPT demonstrated a systematic approach to answering questions and recommended consulting a healthcare provider to receive personalized advice based on the specific health needs and circumstances of patients. The compatibility of ChatGPT with the guidelines was 100% in the assessment of obesity in type 2 diabetes; however, it was lower in the therapy sections, which included nutritional, medical, and surgical approaches to weight loss. Furthermore, ChatGPT required additional prompts for responses that were evaluated as "compatible but insufficient" to provide all the information in the guidelines. CONCLUSION: The assessment and management of obesity in T2D are highly individualized. Despite ChatGPT's comprehensive and understandable responses, it should not be used as a substitute for healthcare professionals' patient-centered approach.

Detecting the interferences in adrenocorticotropic hormone measurement - three cases reinforcing the efficiency of the complementary clinical and laboratory audit.

Accurate measurement of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is crucial in the evaluation of pituitary and adrenal disorders. Although great progress has been achieved in ACTH measurement with immunometric assays, interference may occur and adversely affect the clinical management. The report contributes to compiling the evidence on the clinical challenges with the management of the interferences in the ACTH measurement by presenting three cases: two with clinically overt hypercortisolism and discrepant ACTH concentrations within the reference interval; the third case describes the falsely elevated ACTH in a patient with secondary adrenal insufficiency. In all patients, the results obtained with the two immunometric platforms, chemiluminescence (CLIA) immunoassay (Siemens, Immulite) and electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) immunoassay (Roche, Cobas), were discordant. Serial dilution of plasma samples revealed nonlinearity. After polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation recoveries were less than 22%, 26%, and 3%, respectively, supporting interference. Moreover, a decrease in ACTH concentration after incubation in a heterophile antibody-blocking tube was observed in the second case. In the first case, misinterpretation of ACTH led to inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS), whereas timely detection of assay interference prevented further investigations in other cases. Increasing awareness regarding ACTH interference and comprehensive approach in evaluation could allow timely detection, helping to prevent unnecessary testing and perplexing clinical outcomes.

Assessment of forearm muscles with ultrasound shear wave elastography in patients with acromegaly.

PURPOSE: The effects of acromegaly on soft tissues, bones and joints are well-documented, but information on its effects on muscle mass and quality remains limited. The primary goal of this study is to assess the sonoelastographic features of forearm muscles in patients with acromegaly. METHOD: Forty-five patients with acromegaly and 45 healthy controls similar in terms of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) were included in a single-center, multidisciplinary, cross-sectional study. The body composition was analyzed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and height-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle index (hSMI) was calculated. The dominant hand's grip strength was also measured. Two radiologists specialized in the musculoskeletal system employed ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) to assess the thickness and stiffness of brachioradialis and biceps brachii muscles. RESULTS: The acromegaly group had significantly higher thickness of both the biceps brachii (p = 0.034) and brachioradialis muscle (p = 0.046) than the control group. However, the stiffness of the biceps brachii (p = 0.001) and brachioradialis muscle (p = 0.001) was lower in the acromegaly group than in the control group. Disease activity has not caused a significant difference in muscle thickness and stiffness in the acromegaly group (p > 0.05). The acromegaly group had a higher hSMI (p = 0.004) than the control group. The hand grip strength was similar between the acromegaly and control group (p = 0.594). CONCLUSION: The patients with acromegaly have an increased muscle thickness but decreased muscle stiffness in the forearm muscles responsible for elbow flexion. Acromegaly can lead to a permanent deterioration of the muscular structure regardless of the disease activity.

Sleep quality in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma: impact of replacement therapies with an emphasis on the time of hydrocortisone.

PURPOSE: Sleep disturbances are widespread and associated with pituitary diseases, even those under long-term therapeutic management. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and determine the factors that might influence sleep quality, including the detailed features of replacement therapy. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with NFPA and 82 age- and gender-matched control subjects were included. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. RESULTS: In the NFPA group, 57.3% of patients had decreased sleep quality, compared to 35.4% in the control group (p=0.005). Although there was no relationship between the presence of hydrocortisone replacement and sleep quality (p>0.05), a strong positive correlation was observed between PSQI and morning hydrocortisone replacement time in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (r=0.834, p<0.001). Diabetes insipidus was found to be significantly higher in the group with decreased sleep quality (p=0.01). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between PSQI and IGF-1 in patients with NFPA (r=-0.259, p=0.01). A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that depression score and free T4 level in the upper half of the normal limit influence the sleep quality of patients with NFPA. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated the presence of depression, and a free T4 level in the upper half of the normal range have an impact on the sleep quality of patients with NFPA. The time of hydrocortisone replacement might be important factor for improved sleep quality in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Leukocyte Telomere Length and Neuregulin-4 Levels in Female Patients with Acromegaly: The Relationship between Disease Activity and Body Fat Distribution.

The study aimed to examine leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and serum neuregulin-4 levels and their relationship with disease activity, co-morbidities and body fat distribution in female acromegaly patients. Forty female patients with acromegaly and thirty-nine age and body mass index (BMI) similar healthy female volunteers were included in the study. Patients were classified into two groups: active acromegaly (AA) and controlled acromegaly (CA). The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to study LTL, and T/S ratio < 1 was accepted as shortened telomere length. Neuregulin-4 was studied by ELISA. There was no difference in median LTL between acromegaly and the control group (p = 0.530). The percentage of T/S < 1 in patients with acromegaly (60.0%) was similar to that of the control group (43.6%) (p = 0.144). However, serum neuregulin-4 was significantly higher in patients with acromegaly than those in the control group (p = 0.037). There were no significant differences concerning LTL, percentage of T/S < 1 and neuregulin-4 levels between active and controlled acromegaly groups (p > 0.05). Neuregulin-4 correlated positively with fasting glucose, triglyceride (TG), triglyceride/glucose (TyG) index, and lean body mass in the acromegaly group. A negative correlation was observed between LTL and neuregulin-4 in the control group (p = 0.039). When the factors affecting neuregulin-4 were evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis with an enter method, TG (ß: 0.316, p = 0.025) was independently and positively associated with neuregulin-4. Our findings indicate that acromegaly is associated with unchanged LTL and high neuregulin-4 levels in female patients. However, the relationship between acromegaly, the aging process, and neuregulin-4 involves complex mechanisms, and further studies are needed.

Differentiated thyroid cancer: effect on quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

CONTEXT: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, the lifelong risk for which is approximately 1%. Despite favorable prognosis and well-tolerated treatment modalities, numerous studies have shown that thyroid cancer survivors have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients are also more frequently affected by depression and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate HRQoL, depression, and anxiety status in female patients with DTC. DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND METHODS: We compared HRQoL, depression, and anxiety status in 114 female thyroid cancer survivors with 110 healthy subjects via a cross-sectional design. For this purpose, we utilized short-form 36 (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). RESULTS: The majority of the patients (82%) were stage I. Fifty-seven patients (51%) received radioiodine treatment. Regarding HRQoL, depression, and anxiety between groups, thyroid cancer survivors did worse on every aspect of SF-36 than the control group (p < 0.05). Thyroid cancer survivors had higher BDI and BAI scores (p < 0.05). In those receiving RAI, the dose of RAI, lymph node dissection, and tumor stage did not affect SF-36, depression, and anxiety scores. Duration since diagnosis also did not affect results. CONCLUSION: Our study further confirms the observation that survivors of DTC have impaired HRQoL. Furthermore, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

Clinical characteristics and the treatment modalities of Graves' orbitopathy in a tertiary referral center in Turkey: changes over two decades.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in demographics, clinical findings, and treatment modalities in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) patients at a tertiary referral center in Turkey over the last two decades. METHODS: The clinical data of 752 GO patients were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the first ophthalmic examination date; Group 1(n:344) between January 1998 and December 2007 and Group 2(n:408) between January 2008 and December 2017. RESULTS: The number of nonsmokers was significantly higher in Group 2 (44.0 vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001). The time from the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and referral to our center was 32.4 months in Group 1 and 34.8 months in Group 2, (p = 0.166). The most common treatment of hyperthyroidism was antithyroid medications. Radioiodine ablation treatment rate was significantly lower in Group 2 (14.8 vs. 9.1%, p < 0.001). The time between the diagnosis of thyroid disease and orbital involvement was 22.0 vs. 26.6 months in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.009). The time elapsed between the diagnosis of orbital disease and referral to our clinic was 21.0 months vs. 22.4 months in Group 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.068). Orbital disease was most commonly mild, and inactive. Mild and moderate to severe GO and the mean Clinical Activity Score significantly increased, and the rate of sight-threatening disease and orbital decompression surgery significantly decreased in Group 2 (p = 0.042; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Mild and inactive orbital disease was the most common form of GO. The severity of GO is declining over the last two decades in Turkey.

Overlooked complication of Cushing's syndrome: Reactivation of hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at increased risk of reactivation when they receive immunosuppressive therapies. Although exogenous corticosteroid use as immunosuppressive therapy is elaborated in current guidelines on HBV reactivation, Cushing's syndrome (CS) with endogenous hypercortisolemia is not addressed. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV infection and discuss the necessity of antiviral prophylaxis in patients with CS as in other immunosuppressed patients. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We included 72 patients with CS (Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent or independent) who were screened for HBV between 2016 and 2021. Patients were categorized into three groups: overt, mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), and remission according to the cortisol burden. Changes in patients' HBV serology and clinical findings over time were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients had overt hypercortisolism, 18 had mild autonomous cortisol secretion and 28 patients were in remission. Nineteen (26.3%) patients were anti-HBc IgG positive, 4 of them were chronic HBV and 15 were isolated anti-HBc IgG positive. HBsAg was positive in four (5.5%) of the patients, who were all compatible with inactive chronic HBV. While two patients developed HBV reactivation, HBV flare was observed in one patient. CONCLUSION: Since it is not always possible to achieve rapid remission in CS and these patients have long-term hypercortisolemia, we suggest that consensus should be reached on HBV serological assessment, standardization of follow-up, and planning of HBV prophylaxis in required instances in patients with CS especially in regions with a high prevalence of HBV infection.

Evaluation of quality of life and physical activity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the quality of life, physical activity, anxiety, depression, fear of hypoglycemia, loneliness perception in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and controls. Subjects and methods: Forty-four patients and 63 controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Quality of life (Short Form 36-SF-36), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fear of hypoglycemia (Hypoglycemia Fear Survey), loneliness perception (UCLA Loneliness Scale) were evaluated. Results: Physical role limitations and general health perception subscale scores of SF-36 questionnaire in patients were significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Role limitations due to physical problems and fear of hypoglycemia are increased, and general health perception is impaired in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Physical inactivity is an important symptom in individuals in the pandemic period. In this regard, telerehabilitation approaches will be beneficial for all individuals in increasing physical activity, improving quality of life, and decreasing anxiety, depression and loneliness perception during the pandemic period for all individuals. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diabetes management and dealing with problems should be considered in pandemic.

Evaluation of Lipohypertrophy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Multiple Daily Insulin Injections or Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine lipohypertrophy (LH) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on multiple daily insulin injections (MDII) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and to reveal the factors associated with the development and severity of LH. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with T1DM treated with MDII (n = 35, 53%) or CSII (n = 31, 47%) for at least 1 year were included. LH localizations were detected with palpation and ultrasonography (USG). RESULTS: The LH detection rate with USG was significantly higher than that by palpation in the whole group (P < .001). The LH was detected with USG in 30 (85.7%) patients in the MDII group and 22 (71.0%) patients in the CSII group (P = .144). Advanced LH was detected in 13 (37.1%) of the patients treated with MDII and in 3 (9.7%) of the patients treated with CSII. LH was more severe in the MDII group than in the CSII group (P = .013). Diabetes duration and length of infusion set use were significantly longer and body mass index, hypoglycemia, and complication rates were higher in patients with LH than those in patients without LH (P < .05). A positive correlation was found between LH severity and HbA1C and insulin dose (P < .05, for both). MDII as insulin administration method, incorrect rotation, and a history of ketosis were found to be the most related factors with LH severity in a multiple linear regression analysis (P < .05). CONCLUSION: USG might be an effective approach for detecting and evaluating the severity of LH. MDII might cause more severe LH than CSII in patients with T1DM. In this study, LH was found to be associated mostly with incorrect rotation technique and a history of ketosis.

Evaluation of quality of life and physical activity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the quality of life, physical activity, anxiety, depression, fear of hypoglycemia, loneliness perception in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and controls. Subjects and methods: Forty-four patients and 63 controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Quality of life (Short Form 36-SF-36), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fear of hypoglycemia (Hypoglycemia Fear Survey), loneliness perception (UCLA Loneliness Scale) were evaluated. Results: Physical role limitations and general health perception subscale scores of SF-36 questionnaire in patients were significantly lower than the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Role limitations due to physical problems and fear of hypoglycemia are increased, and general health perception is impaired in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Physical inactivity is an important symptom in individuals in the pandemic period. In this regard, telerehabilitation approaches will be beneficial for all individuals in increasing physical activity, improving quality of life, and decreasing anxiety, depression and loneliness perception during the pandemic period for all individuals. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diabetes management and dealing with problems should be considered in pandemic.

Irregularity in Plantar Fascia, Muscle Edema and Tendon Thickness in Patients with High-Risk for Diabetic Foot.

AIM: To investigate the alterations in the plantar fascia (PF), intrinsic muscles, and tendons in the feet of patients at high risk for developing diabetic foot. METHODS: The healthy feet of 22 patients with type 2 diabetes, who had developed diabetic foot ulcers on a single foot without any pathology on the contralateral extremity, and those of 22 healthy volunteers were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. The volume of the Achilles tendon (AT), the surface area of the PF, the thickness of AT, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior, and peroneus longus tendons, irregularity in the PF, and edema of intrinsic foot muscles were examined. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (86%) had irregularity in the PF, whereas none of the healthy controls had any (p<0.001). Intrinsic muscle edema was more common in the group with diabetes (p=0.006). The volume of AT and the surface area of PF were decreased in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (p<0.05). Patients with diabetes mellitus but without PAD had a larger surface area of PF than that of controls (p<0.05). There were no differences in the volume of AT, the surface area of the PF, and other tendon thickness between the groups. CONCLUSION: Irregularity in the PF and muscle edema may indicate a high risk for the diabetic foot. The presence of PAD may lead to regression in the structure of AT and PF.