[Metformin-induced lactic acidosis due to acute renal failure]. / Acidosis láctica por metformina desencadenada por una insuficiencia renal aguda.

Lactic acidosis is a serious but uncommon side effect of metformin use. We discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of lactic acidosis with particular regard to the role played by the drug as a potential cause of the entity. We report on a severe case of this kind of drug toxicity in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, admitted to the emergency department with acute renal failure symptoms. The diagnosis was supported by elevated serum levels of the biguanide, a procedure scarcely used in clinical practice. The management of this complication consists in drug discontinuation and hemodialysis with bicarbonate that provides symptomatic and ethiological treatment by removing both the lactate and the hypoglycemic agent from the serum. Since the symptoms of metformin-associated lactic acidosis are unspecific and its onset is subtle, a high level of suspicion is needed to establish an early diagnosis.

Acidosis láctica por metformina desencadenada por una insuficiencia renal aguda / Metformin-induced lactic acidosis due to acute renal failure

La acidosis láctica es una complicación grave pero infrecuente asociada al empleo de metformina. Se discuten los mecanismos fisiopatológicos implicados en la acidosis láctica, con especial atención al papel potencial del fármaco. Presentamos un caso severo de este efecto secundario de la metformina en una paciente con diabetes tipo 2 que ingresó en el Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalario por un cuadro de insuficiencia renal aguda. El diagnóstico quedó apoyado por unos niveles séricos elevados de la biguanida, procedimiento escasamente utilizado en la práctica clínica. El tratamiento consiste en suspender la administración del fármaco e iniciar de forma inmediata la hemodiálisis con bicarbonato, lo cual proporciona un tratamiento sintomático y etiológico al eliminar del suero tanto el lactato como el antidiabético oral. Los síntomas de la acidosis láctica por metformina son inespecíficos y el comienzo es sutil, lo que hace necesario un alto nivel de sospecha para establecer un diagnostico precoz(AU)

Lactic acidosis is a serious but uncommon side effect of metformin use. We discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of lactic acidosis with particular regard to the role played by the drug as a potential cause of the entity .We report on a severe case of this kind of drug toxicity in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, admitted to the emergency department with acute renal failure symptoms. The diagnosis was supported by elevated serum levels of the biguanide, a procedure scarcely used in clinical practice .The management of this complication consists in drug discontinuation and hemodialysis with bicarbonate that provides symptomatic and ethiological treatment by removing both the lactate and the hypoglycemic agent from the serum. Since the symptoms of metformin-associated lactic acidosis are unspecific and its onset is subtle, a high level of suspicion is needed to establish an early diagnosis(AU)

Hiponatremia aguda grave en un paciente esquizofrénico potomano / Severe and acute hyponatremia in a schizophrenic patient with potomania

La hiponatremia aguda grave ocasiona una encefalopatíametabólica, cuya fisiopatología es el edemacerebral, y los síntomas más severos son las convulsionesy el coma. Se presenta el caso de una hiponatremiaextrema de origen multifactorial en un paciente esquizofrénicopotomano. La potomanía no suele ocasionarhiponatremia, salvo coexistencia con otros mecanismosdesencadenantes. El paciente descrito presentabadatos de secreción inadecuada de vasopresina (SIADH)y una hipokaliemia intensa, secundaria a vómitos y altratamiento con indapamida, que perpetúa el déficitextracelular de sodio. En el tratamiento del paciente,el único fármaco de introducción reciente fue el aripiprazol,neuroléptico con el que se han notificado casosde secreción inadecuada de vasopresina. La correcciónde la hiponatremia aguda grave es una urgencia vital,independientemente de la causa, y consiste en la administraciónde suero salino al 3%. El sodio no debe aumentaren más de 25 mmol/L durante las primeras 24-48horas para evitar un daño cerebral secundario(AU)

Acute and severe hyponatremia causes a metabolicencephalothy. It is physiopathologically based on thecerebral edema, and its fatal symptoms include seizuresand coma. We present a case of an extreme hyponatremiaof multifactorial etiology in a schizophrenicpatient with potomania. Potomania does not usuallycause hyponatremia, unless it coexists with other triggerfactors. This patient had a syndrome of inappropriateantidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and a deep hypokaliemia,due to vomiting and a treatment with indapamida,which perpetuates the deficit of extracellular sodium.In the patient’s treatment, aripiprazole was the onlyrecently introduced drug with which cases of inappropriatevasopressin secretion have been reported. Managementof a severe hyponatremia must be considereda vital emergency, independent of the cause, and 3% hypertonicsaline must be administered. The increase ofthe sodium level must not be higher than 25 mmol/L inthe first 24-48 hours, to avoid a secondary brain injury(AU)

Hipertiroxinemia con tirotropina detectable / No disponible

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Oftalmopatía distiroidea asociada a hipotiroidismo / Dystrophy ophthalmology associated with hypothyroidism

Caso clínico: La oftalmopatía por enfermedad de Graves (exoftalmos, infiltración muscular y palpebral) se asocia casi sistemáticamente a hipertiroidismo. Paciente diagnosticada de hipotiroidismo subclínico y tratada adecuadamente con tiroxina oral. Unos meses después desarrolla un exoftalmos bilateral y simultáneamente presenta anticuerpos séricos antireceptor de TSH positivos. Se suspende entonces el tratamiento con tiroxina, y se comprueba que el hipotiroidismo ha progresado hasta hacerse primario. Se establece el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Graves hipotiroidea. Discusión: El diagnóstico se basó en la existencia de la oftalmopatía y los anticuerpos positivos, ambos específicos de la enfermedad de Graves. La coexistencia de hipotiroidismo es excepcional, pero posible

Clinical case: Graves' ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos, muscular and eyelid infiltration) is associated almost systematically to hyperthyroidism. A female patient was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism and treated with oral thyroxine. Months later she developed bilateral exophthalmos and was serum-positive for thyrotropin receptor antibodies. Thyroxine treatment was suspended, and it was verified that her condition had developed into primary hypothyroidism. A diagnosis of Graves’ disease with hypothyroidism was made. Discussion: The diagnosis was based on the existence of ophthalmopathy and positive serum antibodies, both specific indicators of Graves' disease. The coexistence of hypothyroidism with Graves’ disease is exceptional, but possible

[Dysthyroid ophthalmopathy associated with hypothyroidism]. / Oftalmopatía distiroidea asociada a hipotiroidismo.

CASE REPORT: Graves' ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos, muscular and eyelid infiltration) is associated almost systematically to hyperthyroidism. A female patient was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism and treated with oral thyroxine. Months later she developed bilateral exophthalmos and was serum-positive for thyrotropin receptor antibodies. Thyroxine treatment was suspended, and it was verified that her condition had developed into primary hypothyroidism. A diagnosis of Graves' disease with hypothyroidism was made. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis was based on the existence of ophthalmopathy and positive serum antibodies, both specific indicators of Graves' disease. The coexistence of hypothyroidism with Graves' disease is exceptional, but possible.

Macroadenoma de hipófisis descubierto incidentalmente. Indicaciones del tratamiento quirúrgico a propósito de dos casos / Incidentally discovered pituitary macroadenoma. Neurosurgical treatment indications illutrated by two cases

Los macroadenomas hipofisarios (de diámetro superior a 10 mm) son poco frecuentes como hallazgos casuales, y su manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico no está bien definido. Los criterios más habituales para el tratamiento neuroquirúrgico son la afectación del campo visual, la hipersecreción de hormonas distintas a la prolactina, la constatación de crecimiento, o la apoplejía no silente. Presentamos dos casos en los que la indicación de cirugía se estableció en función de la edad -joven- de la paciente (caso número uno) y de la afectación del eje gonadal en un varón no subsidiario de tratamiento androgénico (caso número dos). Se discute el beneficio de incluir tales indicaciones quirúrgicas en el protocolo de evaluación de estas lesiones (AU)

Pituitary macroadenomas (more than 10 mm in diameter) are infrequent as casual findings and optimal management strategy for these tumours has not been established. Neurosurgical approach must be always considered in patients with visual field defects or with hormone-secreting adenomas (but prolactinoma), and in those with evidence of lesion's growth or if clinical pituitary apoplexy occurs. We present two cases in which surgical indication was based on patient's young age (case number one), and on hypogonadal status, in a male patient not suitable of androgen substitution (case number two). We also discuss the benefits of including such unusual indications for neurosurgical treatment into the incidentally discovered pituitary macroadenomas evaluation strategy (AU)

Incidencia de diabetes mellitus gestacional en el área sanitaria de Avilés (Asturias) en el año 2003. Asociación con la morbilidad maternofetal (estudio preliminar) / Incidence of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy in the h ealth district of Avilés (Asturias) in 2003. Its association with mother-foetus morbidity

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Niveles séricos infranormales de tiroxina libre en una paciente tratada con oxcarbacepina / Low serum free thyroxine concentratrion in a patient treated with oxcarbazepine

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Elevación de creatincinasa por ejercicio físico en pacientes tratados con estatinas / Elevation of creatine kinase after eccentric exercise in patients treated with estatines

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Hiperaldosteronismo primario: ¿debemos plantearnos su detección sistemática en los centros de salud? / Primary hyperaldosteronism: should we pose its systematic detection at health centres?

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[Incidentally discovered pituitary macroadenoma. Neurosurgical treatment indications illustrated by two cases]. / Macroadenoma de hipófisis descubierto incidentalmente. Indicaciones del tratamiento quirúrgico a propósito de dos casos.

Pituitary macroadenomas (more than 10 mm in diameter) are infrequent as casual findings and optimal management strategy for these tumours has not been established. Neurosurgical approach must be always considered in patients with visual field defects or with hormone-secreting adenomas (but prolactinoma), and in those with evidence of lesion's growth or if clinical pituitary apoplexy occurs. We present two cases in which surgical indication was based on patient's young age (case number one), and on hypogonadal status, in a male patient not suitable of androgen substitution (case number two). We also discuss the benefits of including such unusual indications for neurosurgical treatment into the incidentally discovered pituitary macroadenomas evaluation strategy.

Opinión sobre la libre elección de especialista por parte de pacientes diabéticos atendidos indistintamente por el equipo médico de Endocrinología de un hospital comarcal / Diabetic patients´choice of endocrinologist in a county hospital. Opinion of patients without possibility free choice

Antecedentes: La libre elección de especialista en Endocrinología es un derecho de los usuarios de la sanidad pública española. Objetivos: 1.- Averiguar si existe diferencia, en el contexto de un hospital comarcal español, en la opinión de los pacientes diabéticos vistos por primera vez en consulta y los que están en seguimiento prolongado respecto a la preferencia por la libre elección de especialista. 2.- Averiguar qué variables se asocian a esta preferencia entre los pacientes diabéticos en seguimiento. Diseño: estudio transversal con entrevista directa. Pacientes y métodos: 1.- Pacientes: Diabéticos tipo 1 y tipo 2, vistos en una primera consulta (grupo A, n = 60), o con un seguimiento mínimo de 4 años (grupo B, n = 100). Los pacientes fueron seleccionados de modo consecutivo en las consultas externas de Endocrinología. 2.- Métodos estadísticos: a) Descripción de las características de los pacientes y comparación entre grupos mediante las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y U de Mann-Whitney. b) Objetivo 1: comparación mediante Chi-cuadrado. c) Objetivo 2: análisis mediante regresión logística multivariante. Resultados: Objetivo 1: Existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos A y B en la preferencia por la libre elección de especialista. Objetivo 2: Dentro del grupo B los pacientes con niveles más altos de hemoglobina glicosilada son los que prefieren elegir especialista en mayor medida. Conclusiones: La libre elección de especialista es más apetecida por el grupo de pacientes diabéticos que opina “a priori” que por el grupo de pacientes que ha experimentado el sistema de atención en equipo. Dentro de este grupo sólo los niveles altos de hemoglobina glicosilada predicen la preferencia por la libre elección

Background: Free choice of specialized physicians is a patients´right in the Spanish Public Health Service. Objectives: 1.- In diabetic outpatients visited in a county hospital to as certain if there´s any difference about endocrinologist free choice opinion between new and long-standing follow-up groups. 2.- In the second group of patients to study wich variables are associated with the favourable free choice opinion. Design: Transversal, personal interview based. Patients and methods: 1.- Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients firstly (A group, n=60) or at least 4 years time of follow-up (B group, n=100) visited in an outpatient department of Endocrinology. 2.- Statistical methods: a) Description of groups and comparative analysis of their characteristics (Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests). b) Objective 1: Chi-squared test comparison. c) Objective 2: Multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Objective 1: The possibility of free choice of endocrinologist is preferred by A-group patients in a statistically significant greater proportion than B-group patients. Objective 2: In the latest group subjects with higher levels of glycated haemoglobin are the more favourables to the free choice. Conclusions: In a Spanish county hospital opinion about free choice of endocrinologist is better in an “a priori” judgement basis than after the personal experience of medical team attention. In long-standing follow-up patients only high levels of glycated haemoglobin predict the preference for the free choice

[Diabetic patients choice of endocrinologist in a county hospital. Opinion of patients without possibility of free choice]. / Opinión sobre la libre elección de especialista por parte de pacientes diabéticos atendidos indistintamente por el equipo médico de Endocrinología de un hospital comarcal.

BACKGROUND: Free choice of specialized physicians is a patients right in the Spanish Public Health Service. OBJECTIVES: 1.- In diabetic outpatients visited in a county hospital to ascertain if there s any difference about endocrinologist free choice opinion between new and long-standing follow-up groups. 2.- In the second group of patients to study wich variables are associated with the favourable free choice opinion. DESIGN: Transversal, personal interview based. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1.- Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients firstly (A group, n=60) or at least 4 years time of follow-up (B group, n=100) visited in an outpatient department of Endocrinology. 2.- STATISTICAL METHODS: a) Description of groups and comparative analysis of their characteristics (Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests). b) Objective 1: Chi-squared test comparison. c) Objective 2: Multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Objective 1: The possibility of free choice of endocrinologist is preferred by A-group patients in a statistically significant greater proportion than B-group patients. Objective 2: In the latest group subjects with higher levels of glycated haemoglobin are the more favourables to the free choice. CONCLUSIONS: In a Spanish county hospital opinion about free choice of endocrinologist is better in an "a priori" judgement basis than after the personal experience of medical team attention. In long-standing follow-up patients only high levels of glycated haemoglobin predict the preference for the free choice.