Evaluation of DiaSorin Liaison® calprotectin fecal assay adapted for pleural effusion.

Objectives: Calprotectin (CP) is a calcium and zinc binding protein that is widely measured on faecal samples but its determination in other biological fluids might be of interest. The aim of this work was to validate the measurement of CP in pleural fluid by chemiluminescence. Methods: LIAISON®XL, a fully automated chemiluminescence analyzer, was used for CP quantification on pleural fluid. A validation protocol was designed using both quality control materials provided by the manufacturer and pools of pleural fluid samples. Stability, imprecision, bias, linearity, detection capability and carry over effect were evaluated. Results: CP was stable on pleural fluid at least one week, under refrigerated conditions, and four weeks at -80 °C. The observed intra- and inter-day imprecision was between 2.2 and 6.49 %, with a negative bias under 5.51 %. The linearity of the method was verified up to 2,000 ng/mL. The LoQ for the assay was 48.52 ng/mL. A statistically significant carry-over effect was observed after measuring CP concentrations above the upper limit of linearity, but given the observed magnitude, a clinically relevant impact should not be expected. Conclusions: DiaSorin Liaison® calprotectin assay allows reliable measurement of CP in pleural fluid.

Pharmacological hyperprolactinemia: a retrospective analysis of 501 hyperprolactinemia cases in primary care setting.

PURPOSE: To describe a series of cases with pharmacological hyperprolactinemia in primary care setting and the prolactin levels, clinical implications of different causes of pharmacological hyperprolactinemia. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients with detected hyperprolactinemia in hormonal studies was performed between 2019 and 2020 in 20 Spanish primary care centers. Hyperprolactinemia is defined as a serum prolactin >19.4ng/ml in men and >26.5ng/ml in women. Four pharmacological causes of hyperprolactinemia were established: (i) oral contraceptives (OCPs) and other hormonal treatments; (ii) antipsychotics and antidepressants; (iii) other drugs (calcium antagonists, antiemetics, H2 antihistamines, opioids, and anabolic agents); and (iv) hyperprolactinemia due to several drugs. RESULTS: From a sample of 501 patients with elevated serum prolactin, 39.4% (n=162) had pharmacological hyperprolactinemia. The most common cause of pharmacological hyperprolactinemia in women was OCPs (n=61) while in men antipsychotics/antidepressants (n=21). In the cases of hyperprolactinemia due to antipsychotics/antidepressants, the prolactin levels were significantly higher in patients taking classical antipsychotics than in those taking second-generation antipsychotics (80.0±43.17 vs. 50.7±28.66 ng/dL, P=0.035). The antidepressant/antipsychotic group showed hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms more frequently than the group of other treatments (58.9% vs. 32%, P=0.001). The concomitant use of several drugs caused hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms more frequently than one drug alone (73% vs. 44%, P=0.031). CONCLUSION: In this series of cases, drugs represented the 39.4% of the causes of hyperprolactinemia. The most common drugs were OCPs in women and antipsychotics/antidepressants in men. Antidepressants/antipsychotics were drugs that caused the greatest elevation of the prolactin levels and showed hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms more frequently.

The prevalence of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism and its cardiometabolic implications in primary aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), and its implication on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with PA (exposed cohort, N.=44) and all hypertensive (EH) patients with adrenal lesions without PA nor other adrenal hypersecretion (non-exposed cohort, N.=41) on follow-up at our center between 2016 and 2020. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with PA and EH was 55.1±14.13 and 66.3±10.93 (P<0.001), and 50% of PA and 39.0% of EH were women (P=0.309). At diagnosis, the prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism in PA was of 18.2%, and all were normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism cases. Globally, no differences were found in the prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism compared to EH (18.2% vs. 29.3%, P=0.229), but hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism was significantly more prevalent in EH patients than in PA (22.0% vs. 0%, P=0.001). There were 47.7% (N.=21) cases of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with PA (4 due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and vitamin D deficiency, and 17 due to vitamin D deficiency alone). The cardiometabolic profile of patients with PA and hyperparathyroidism (N.=29) was similar to of those patients without hyperparathyroidism (N.=15) at diagnosis and after a median follow-up of 3.6 years (interquartile range 1.1-5.9). CONCLUSIONS: Although primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism are common in patients with PA, their prevalence was similar than the observed in EH patients. Primary hyperparathyroidism is usually mild in PA, appearing as normocalcemic forms. No negative implications of the hyperparathyroidism in the cardiometabolic profile of PA were observed.

Causes of hyperprolactinaemia in the primary care setting: How to optimise hyperprolactinaemia management.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To analyse the causes of hyperprolactinaemia in patients with symptoms compatible with hyperprolactinaemia evaluated in a primary care setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients tested for serum prolactin levels between 2019 and 2020 in 20 primary care centres at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid. Hyperprolactinaemia is defined as a serum prolactin>19.4ng/ml in men and >26.5ng/ml in women. Aetiology is grouped into physiological (pregnancy, lactation, inadequate venipuncture, macroprolactinaemia), pharmacological, pathological (hypothalamic and/or pituitary diseases, chronic renal failure, primary hypothyroidism), and idiopathic. RESULTS: In 1630 patients tested for serum prolactin, 30.7% (n=501) had hyperprolactinaemia. Of these 501 patients, 89.6% were females. 149 patients were referred to the Endocrinology Department and 164 to the Gynaecology Department. Aetiological diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia was achieved in 411 out of 501 cases. The most frequent cause of hyperprolactinaemia was pharmacological, in 39.1%. The second more frequent cause was idiopathic (29%) and less common were inadequate venipuncture extraction (13.4%), tumour (8.5%) and macroprolactinaemia (3.9%). Patients with tumoural hyperprolactinaemia presented higher serum prolactin levels (87.0±80.19 vs 49.7±39.62ng/ml, P=0.010). In addition, symptoms, such as galactorrhoea (33.3% vs 16.5%, P=0.018), and headache (25.7% vs 13.3%, P=0.045), were more frequent than in patients of the other aetiological groups. CONCLUSION: Hyperprolactinaemia is common among patients evaluated in a primary care setting with symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia, but more than 50% of cases are due to pharmacological treatments or improper sample extraction. It is necessary to establish referral protocols to specialised medicine to optimise healthcare resources and avoid unnecessary studies.

Riesgo cardiometabólico en pacientes con hiperaldosteronismo primario y secreción autónoma de cortisol. Estudio de casos y controles / Cardiometabolic risk in patients with primary aldosteronism and autonomous cortisol secretion. Case-control study

Objetivo: Analizar las diferencias en el perfil cardiometabólico de los pacientes con hiperaldosteronismo primario (HAP) y secreción autónoma de cortisol (SAC), emparejados por edad y sexo.MétodosEstudio de casos y controles; casos de HAP sin SAC asociada y como controles, pacientes con SAC (test de supresión de dexametasona ≥ 1.8 μg/dL en ausencia de datos específicos de hipercortisolismo), emparejados por edad y sexo. Se analizaron las comorbilidades HTA, diabetes, obesidad, dislipemia, insuficiencia renal crónica y eventos cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares, así como su grado de control.ResultadosSe incluyeron 57 pacientes con HAP y 57 con SAC. Al diagnóstico, aparte de una mayor prevalencia de HTA en los pacientes con HAP (100 vs. 52,7%, p < 0,0001) y niveles más altos de TAS (143,2 [2,5] vs. 135,3 [2,6] mmHg, p = 0,032) que en SAC, no se detectaron diferencias en la prevalencia de otras comorbilidades. No obstante, los pacientes con SAC presentaban cifras más elevadas de HbA1c (p = 0,028).Tras una mediana de seguimiento de 2,25 años, los pacientes con HAP presentaron un mayor deterioro de la función renal (descenso medio del filtrado glomerular [MDRD-4] -17,4 [3] vs. -2,3 [4,4] mL/min/1,73 m2, p = 0,005) y del perfil lipídico (Δtriglicéridos de 34,5 [15,8] vs. -6,7 [11,3] mg/dL, p = 0,038) que los SAC.ConclusionesA pesar la mayor prevalencia de HTA en los pacientes con HAP que con SAC, emparejados por edad y sexo, no se detectaron diferencias en la prevalencia de otras comorbilidades cardiometabólicas. No obstante, los HAP presentaron un mayor deterioro de la función renal y del perfil lipídico a lo largo del seguimiento que el grupo de SAC. (AU)

Objective: To analyse the differences in the cardio-metabolic profile of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) matched by age and sex.MethodsCase-control study; cases of PA without associated ACS and as controls patients with ACS (dexamethasone suppression test ≥ 1.8 μg/dL in the absence of specific hypercortisolism clinical data), matched by age and sex. Comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, chronic kidney failure, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were analysed, as well as their degree of control.Results57 patients with PA and 57 with ACS were included. On diagnosis, in addition to a higher prevalence of hypertension in the PA patients (100 vs. 52.7%, p < .0001) and higher systolic blood pressure levels (143.2 (2.5) vs. 135.3 (2.6) mmHg, p = .032) than in the ACS patients, no other differences were detected in the prevalence of other cardio-metabolic comorbidities. Nevertheless, the patients with ACS had higher HbA1c levels (p = .028) than the PA patients.After a median follow-up of 2.25 years, the patients with PA presented a greater deterioration in kidney function (Average decrease in glomerular filtration rate (MDRD-4) -17.4 (3.0) vs. -2.3 (4.4) mL/min/1.73 m2, p = .005) and lipid profile (Δtriglycerides of 34.5 (15.8) vs. -6.7 (11.3) mg/dL, p = .038) than the ACS patients.ConclusionsDespite the higher prevalence of hypertension in the patients with PA than in the patients with ACS matched by age and sex, no differences were detected in the prevalence of other cardio-metabolic comorbidities. However, the PA patients showed a greater deterioration in kidney function and lipid profile throughout the follow-up than the ACS patients. (AU)

Diagnostic accuracy of the different hormonal tests used for the diagnosis of autonomous cortisol secretion.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the different tests commonly used in the evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) for the identification of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and comorbidities potentially related to ACS. In a retrospective study of patients with AIs ≥ 1 cm, we evaluated the diagnostic reliability and validity of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), urinary free cortisol (UFC), ACTH, late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) for the diagnosis of comorbidities potentially related to ACS. Diagnostic indexes were also calculated for UFC, ACTH, LNSC, and DHEAS considering DST as the gold standard test for the diagnosis of ACS, using three different post-DST cortisol thresholds (138 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L and 83 nmol/L). We included 197 patients with AIs in whom the results of the five tests abovementioned were available. At diagnosis, 85.9% of patients with one or more AIs had any comorbidity potentially related to ACS, whereas 9.6% had ACS as defined by post-DST cortisol > 138 nmol/L. The reliability of UFC, ACTH, LNSC, and DHEAS for the diagnosis of ACS was low (kappa index < 0.30). Of them, LNSC reached the highest diagnosis accuracy for ACS identification (AUC = 0.696 [95% CI 0.626-0.759]). The diagnostic performances of these tests for comorbidities potentially related to ACS was poor; of them, the DST was the most accurate (AUC = 0.661 [95% CI 0.546-0.778]) and had the strongest association with these comorbidities (OR 2.6, P = 0.045). Patients presenting with increased values of both DST and LNSC had the strongest association with hypertension (OR 7.1, P = 0.002) and with cardiovascular events (OR 3.6, P = 0.041). In conclusion, LNSC was the test showing the highest diagnosis accuracy for the identification of ACS when a positive DST was used as the gold standard for its diagnosis. The DST test showed the strongest association with comorbidities potentially related to ACS. The definition of ACS based on the combination of elevated DST and LNSC levels improved the identification of patients with increased cardiometabolic risk.

Serum zinc and copper in people with COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Zinc and copper are important to protect cells from oxidative stress and to enhance immunity. An association between low zinc levels and the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome has been shown for people with COVID-19. We aimed to study serum zinc and copper concentrations in people with severe COVID-19 and zinc supplementation in parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: Thirty-five people with COVID-19 in need of PN were studied in a retrospective design. Serum samples were collected at three time points: at the start of PN, between 3 and 7 d after, and at the end of PN. RESULTS: Participants were on PN for a mean of 14 d, with a mean (± SD) daily supplemental zinc of 14.8 ± 3.7 mg/d. Serum zinc increased during PN administration from 98.8 ± 22.8 to 114.1 ± 23.3 µg/dL (Wilks' λ = 0.751, F = 5.459, P = 0.009). Conversely, serum copper did not vary from baseline (107.9 ± 34.2 µg/dL) to the end of the study (104.5 ± 37.4 µg/dL, Wilks' λ = 0.919, F = 1.453, P = 0.248). Serum zinc within the first week after starting PN and at the end of PN inversely correlated with total hospital stay (r = -0.413, P = 0.014, and r = -0.386, P = 0.022, respectively). Participants in critical condition presented lower serum copper (z = 2.615, P = 0.007). Mortality was not associated with supplemental zinc or with serum zinc or copper concentrations at any time of the study (P > 0.1 for all analyses). CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc concentrations during PN support were inversely associated with length of hospital stay but not with mortality. Serum copper concentrations were lower in participants in critical condition but not associated with prognosis.

Higher risk of chronic kidney disease and progressive kidney function impairment in primary aldosteronism than in essential hypertension. Case-control study.

PURPOSE: To study the differences in the prevalence, risk, and grade of control of different cardiometabolic comorbidities in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and essential hypertension (EH) matched by age, sex, and blood pressure levels at diagnosis. METHODS: Case-control study of a secondary base (PA patients in follow-up in a tertiary hospital between 2018 and 2020). Controls were patients with non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas and EH, matched by age, sex, and baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). RESULTS: Fifty patients with PA and 50 controls were enrolled in the study. At diagnosis, PA patients had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than controls (18.4% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.008). No differences were detected in the prevalence of other cardiometabolic comorbidities nor in their degree of control (P > 0.05). All patients received antihypertensive medical treatment and 10 PA patients underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. After a median follow-up of 31.9 [IQR = 1.0-254.8] months, PA patients presented a greater degree of declination of kidney function than controls (average decrease in glomerular filtration rate (MDRD-4) -17.6 ± 3.1 vs. -2.8 ± 1.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001). There were no differences in the grade of SBP (P = 0.840) and DBP control (P = 0.191), nor in the risk of developing other comorbidities or in their degree of control. CONCLUSIONS: PA patients have a higher prevalence of CKD at the time of diagnosis when compared to EH matched by age, sex, and blood pressure levels. Furthermore, the risk of kidney function impairment throughout the follow-up is significantly greater in PA patients and is independent of the degree of blood pressure control.

Comparison of three methods for determining anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) for diagnosis of Graves' disease: a clinical validation.

Objectives: Graves' disease is secondary to the presence of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), which stimulate thyroid hormones. TRab determination is crucial for etiological diagnosis. The objectives of this study were (i) to compare two methods for determining TRab by chemoluminiscence vs. standard TRACE-immunofluorescence; (ii) to determine the diagnostic validity of the three methods. Methods: A retrospective study in 194 patients with a TRAb determination request. TRAb were determined by immunofluorescence (Kryptor, ThermoFisher) and chemiluminescence (Immulite, Siemens and Maglumi, Snibe). Clinical validation: medical records were reviewed and categorized according to thyroid function. Statistical analysis: Differences in quantitative variables were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plot, and mean differences (mD). Qualitative variables were dichotomized by cut-off points; Kappa coefficient was calculated. Correlations were evaluated by Pearson's coefficient and Passing-Bablok regression analysis. The diagnostic validity of the three methods was investigated. Results: Kryptor-Immulite: mD: 1.2 (95%CI: -16 to >18). Passing-Bablok: Constant error (95%CI: -0.8349 to -0.5987). Proportional error (95%CI: 0.7862-1.0387). ICC: 0.86 (95%CI: 0.82-0.89). Kappa coefficient: 0.68 (95%CI 0.59-0.78). Kryptor-Maglumi: mD: -0.3 (95%CI: -12 to >12). Passing-Bablok: Constant error (95%CI: -0.7701 to >0.1621. Proportional error (95%CI: 0.8571 to 1.3179. ICC: 0.93 (95%CI: 0.89-0.97). Kappa coefficient: 0.53 (95%CI: 0.32-0.74). Diagnosis of Graves' disease was confirmed in 113 patients (Kryptorf showed better specificity and positive predictive value, whereas Immulite demonstrated better sensitivity and negative predictive value). Conclusions: The three methods have a good diagnostic performance for Graves' disease, with superimposable results on Bland-Altman plot. Interchangeability was not confirmed on the regression and agreement analysis, with the presence of biases.

[Cardiometabolic risk in patients with primary aldosteronism and autonomous cortisol secretion. Case-control study]. / Riesgo cardiometabólico en pacientes con hiperaldosteronismo primario y secreción autónoma de cortisol. Estudio de casos y controles.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the differences in the cardio-metabolic profile of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) matched by age and sex. METHODS: Case-control study; cases of PA without associated ACS and as controls patients with ACS (dexamethasone suppression test ≥ 1.8 µg/dL in the absence of specific hypercortisolism clinical data), matched by age and sex. Comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, chronic kidney failure, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were analysed, as well as their degree of control. RESULTS: 57 patients with PA and 57 with ACS were included. On diagnosis, in addition to a higher prevalence of hypertension in the PA patients (100 vs. 52.7%, p < .0001) and higher systolic blood pressure levels (143.2 (2.5) vs. 135.3 (2.6) mmHg, p = .032) than in the ACS patients, no other differences were detected in the prevalence of other cardio-metabolic comorbidities. Nevertheless, the patients with ACS had higher HbA1c levels (p = .028) than the PA patients. After a median follow-up of 2.25 years, the patients with PA presented a greater deterioration in kidney function (Average decrease in glomerular filtration rate (MDRD-4) -17.4 (3.0) vs. -2.3 (4.4) mL/min/1.73 m2, p = .005) and lipid profile (Δtriglycerides of 34.5 (15.8) vs. -6.7 (11.3) mg/dL, p = .038) than the ACS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher prevalence of hypertension in the patients with PA than in the patients with ACS matched by age and sex, no differences were detected in the prevalence of other cardio-metabolic comorbidities. However, the PA patients showed a greater deterioration in kidney function and lipid profile throughout the follow-up than the ACS patients.

Certified testosterone immunoassays for hyperandrogenaemia.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone (T) measurement in women is problematic leading to initiatives aiming to improve laboratory standardization of commercial assays. We assessed the impact on the clinical diagnosis of functional hyperandrogenic disorders of a total T immunoassay recently certified by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 263 consecutive adult premenopausal women presenting with functional ovarian hyperandrogenism-including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-and 73 nonhyperandrogenic female volunteers who served to define reference ranges. Total T was measured by a local routine direct radioimmunoassay and by a CDC-certified immunochemiluminescence assay. The main outcome measures were total and calculated free T concentrations and percentage of patients with hyperandrogenaemia. RESULTS: Both assays showed a poor concordance for total and calculated free T measurements. Hence, 147 (56%) and 109 (41%) of women had hyperandrogenaemia with the routine and CDC-certified assays, respectively [κ (95%CI): 0.538 (0.441-0.634)]. Free T levels calculated from total T using both assays showed similar correlations with metabolic variables. Women showing hyperandrogenaemia by both methods had the worst metabolic profiles, yet women presenting with hyperandrogenaemia only when using the CDC-certified assay did not show any significant difference compared to nonhyperandrogenic women in anthropometric or metabolic variables. Those women with hyperandrogenaemia only when using the routine assay were more obese and insulin resistant than normoandrogenaemic hirsute patients. CONCLUSIONS: An isolated androgen measurement, even a very specific one, is unlikely to identify the hyperandrogenic milieu that characterizes patients with functional ovarian hyperandrogenism and PCOS.

Role of sampling times and serum cortisol cut-off concentrations on the routine assessment of adrenal function using the standard cosyntropin test in an academic hospital from Spain: a retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVES: Aiming to validate the use of a single poststimulus sampling protocol for cosyntropin test short standard high-dose test (SST) in our institution, our primary objectives were (1) to determine the concordance between 30 and 60 min serum cortisol (SC) measurements during SST; and (2) to evaluate the diagnostic agreement between both sampling times when using classic or assay-specific and sex-specific SC cut-off values. The secondary objectives included (1) estimating the specificity and positive predictive value of 30 and 60 min sampling times while considering the suspected origin of adrenal insufficiency (AI); and (2) obtaining assay-specific cut-off values for SC after SST in a group of subjects with normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a retrospective chart review study conducted at a Spanish academic hospital from 2011 to 2015. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Two groups were evaluated: (1) a main study group including 370 patients in whom SC was measured at 30 and 60 min during SST; and (2) a confirmative group that included 150 women presenting with a normal HPA axis in whom SST was conducted to rule out late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Diagnostic agreement between both sampling times was assessed by considering both classic (500 nmol/L) and assay-specific SC cut-off concentrations. RESULTS: Diagnostic agreement between both sampling times was greater when applying sex-specific and assay-specific cut-off values instead of the classic cut-off values. For suspected primary AI, 30 min SC determination was enough to establish a diagnosis in over 95% of cases, without missing any necessary treatment. When central AI is suspected, 60 min SC measurement was more specific, establishing a diagnosis in over 97% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Sex-specific and assay-specific SC cut-off values improve the diagnostic accuracy of SST. For primary disease, a subnormal SC response at 30 min is a reliable marker of adrenal dysfunction. On the contrary, when central AI is suspected, 60 min SC measurement improves the diagnostic accuracy of the test.

An unusual circulating steroid profile in a virilized postmenopausal woman.

BACKGROUND: Virilism is a female disorder in which secondary male sexual characteristics develop, caused by an excessive adrenal or ovarian androgen secretion. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report an unusual case of an ovarian steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified (NOS), in a 68-year-old female who presented with androgenic alopecia, clitoromegaly and an increased muscle mass. Laboratory investigations revealed both ovarian and adrenal hyperandrogenism with an elevation of androgen precursors mimicking congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A left adnexal mass was confirmed by imaging techniques. A laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an ovarian steroid cell tumor NOS. After surgical intervention, circulating androgen levels and their precursors returned to normal values in the postmenopausal woman. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed anamnesis and physical examination are key to the correct diagnosis in a woman with hyperandrogenism independent of her circulating androgen profile.

Litiasis urinaria: epidemiología y clasificación del cálculo urinario / Urinary lithiasis: epidemiology and classification of urinary calculus / Urolitíase: epidemiologia e classificação dos cálculos renais

Se estima que la incidencia de cálculos renales en España se ha incrementado en los últimos años. En este trabajo se realizó una aproximación epidemiológica de la litiasis urinaria, y se estableció una clasificación de los cálculos urinarios analizados durante un año. Se ha creado una base de datos con los cálculos analizados mediante espectroscopía de infrarrojos con Transformada de Fourier, considerando edad, sexo, recidivas y parámetros bioquímicos, en orina de 24 horas. La influencia del sexo en la litiasis urinaria es muy marcada y el número de cálculos en el varón es muy superior. Además, el factor edad incrementa la litiasis desde 5% a los 30 años hasta 25% a los 60. Estos datos se refieren a los cálculos totales y no diferencian su composición química. Si se diferencian según la composición, se ha encontrado una tendencia similar en hombres y mujeres en los cálculos de oxalato cálcico monohidratado, pero muy distinta en los de oxalato cálcico dihidratado y fosfocarbonato cálcico. La incidencia en menores de 20 años es muy baja, y prevalece en los niños en la primera década y en las niñas en la segunda década de vida. Además, se ha observado una mayor prevalencia de cálculos en los meses de verano asociada a mayores valores séricos de vitamina D. Por lo tanto, es imprescindible partir de unos criterios taxativos de clasificación de los cálculos urinarios para la realización de estudios epidemiológicos. En los últimos años la proporción entre las diferentes composiciones ha cambiado y se ha producido un aumento en los cálculos de oxalato.

The incidence of renal calculus in Spain has been increased in recent years. In this work, an epidemiological approach of urinary lithiasis has been made, establishing a classification of the urinary calculi analyzed during a year. A database has been created with the analyzed calculi by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, collecting age, sex, recurrences and biochemical parameters obtained from 24-hour urine. The influence of sex on urinary lithiasis is very marked and the number of stones in the male in much higher. In addition, the age factor increases lithiasis from 5% at 30 years of age to 25% at 60 years of age. These data refer to the total calculi, without differentiating their chemical composition. If differentiation is made according to the composition, a similar tendency is found in men and women in the monohydrate calcium oxalate calculi, but very different in those of dihydrate calcium oxalate and calcium phosphocarbonate. The incidence in children under 20 years of age is very low; males have more calculi in the first decade of life and girls in the second decade of life. In addition, a higher prevalence of stones has been observed in the summer months associated with higher serum levels of vitamin D. Thus, it is essential to stablish classification criteria of urinary calculi for epidemiological studies. In recent years, the ratio of the different compositions has changed, resulting in an increase of oxalate calculi.

Estima-se que a incidência de cálculos renais na Espanha tem aumentado nos últimos anos. Este trabalho foi realizado com uma abordagem epidemiológica da litíase urinária, estabelecendo uma classificação de cálculos urinários analisados durante um ano. Foi criado um banco de dados com os cálculos analisados por espectroscopia de infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier, considerando idade, gênero, recidivas e parâmetros bioquímicos na urina de 24 horas. A influência do gênero na litíase urinária é muito acentuada e o número de cálculos em homens é muito maior. Além disso, o fator idade aumenta a litíase de 5% aos 30 anos para 25% aos 60 anos. Estes dados referem-se os cálculos totais e não diferenciam sua composição química. Diferenciam-se de acordo com a composição, foi encontrada uma tendência semelhante em homens e mulheres nos cálculos de oxalato de cálcio mono-hidratado, mas muito diferente em oxalato de cálcio di-hidratado e fosfo-carbonato de cálcio. A incidência em pessoas menores de 20 anos é muito baixa, prevalecendo em meninos na primeira década e em meninas na segunda década de vida. Além disso, foi observada maior prevalência de cálculos nos meses de verão associada a maiores níveis séricos de vitamina D. Portanto, é essencial a partir de critérios taxativos de classificação dos cálculos urinários para realizar exames epidemiológicos. Nos últimos anos, a proporção entre as diferentes composições tem mudado, resultando num aumento dos cálculos de oxalato.

Diagnóstico diferencial del hiperaldosteronismo primario / Differential diagnosis of primary aldosteronism

El aldosteronismo primario se considera una de las causas más comunes de hipertensión secundaria. Los datos indican que puede ocurrir en hasta el 5-15% de los pacientes con hipertensión. Aunque esta enfermedad sigue siendo un reto diagnóstico considerable, el reconocimiento de la condición es crítica, debido a que la hipertensión asociada al aldosteronismo primario a menudo se puede curar con la intervención quirúrgica o médica adecuada. El diagnóstico se realiza en 3 etapas, que implican un cribado inicial, una confirmación del diagnóstico, y una clasificación del subtipo específico de aldosteronismo primario. Se describe el caso de un paciente con hipertensión resistente e hipopotasemia. La prueba inicial incluye la cuantificación de las concentraciones de aldosterona y actividad de renina en plasma. En nuestro laboratorio la medida de estos 2 parámetros se realizó por radioinmunoanálisis. En este caso, el paciente tenía elevado el cociente aldosterona/renina y la producción de aldosterona de forma autónoma se confirmó con una prueba de supresión con sobrecarga intravenosa de sodio. Una vez confirmado el aldosteronismo primario, se determinó el subtipo para guiar el tratamiento. La prueba inicial en la evaluación del subtipo es la tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) de las glándulas suprarrenales. Además, si se considera el tratamiento quirúrgico, el muestreo de la vena adrenal es el método más preciso para distinguir entre la producción de aldosterona adrenal unilateral o bilateral. En este caso se muestra como el laboratorio juega un papel fundamental en el diagnóstico del aldosteronismo primario, con el fin de lograr el tratamiento óptimo (AU)

Primary aldosteronism is considered one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Data indicate that it may occur in as many as 5-15% of patients with hypertension. Although it is still a considerable diagnostic challenge, recognising the condition is critical as primary aldosteronism associated hypertension can often be cured with the proper surgical or medical intervention. The diagnosis is generally 3-tiered, involving an initial screening, a confirmation of the diagnosis, and a determination of the specific subtype of primary aldosteronism. The case is described of a patient with resistant hypertension and hypokalaemia. The initial tests included the measurement of plasma aldosterone levels and plasma rennin activity, which is by Radioimmunoassay in our laboratory. In this case, the patient had an increased aldosterone/renin ratio, and the free aldosterone production was confirmed with an aldosterone suppression test (intravenous salt loading test). Once primary aldosteronism was confirmed, the subtype was determined to guide treatment. The initial test in subtype evaluation is computed axial tomography imaging (CAT) of the adrenal glands. Furthermore, if surgical treatment is considered, adrenal vein sampling is the most accurate method for distinguishing between unilateral and bilateral adrenal aldosterone production. In this case is shown as the laboratory plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, in order to achieve the optimal treatment (AU)