Identifying Clinical Characteristics of Hypoparathyroidism in Turkey: HIPOPARATURK-NET Study.

Hypoparathyroidism is an orphan disease with ill-defined epidemiology that is subject to geographic variability. We conducted this study to assess the demographics, etiologic distribution, treatment patterns and complication frequency of patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism in Turkey. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional database study, with collaboration of 30 endocrinology centers located in 20 cities across seven geographical regions of Turkey.

Serum activities of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and adenosine deaminase in polycystic ovary syndrome: association with obesity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) plays a role in metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Increased adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been suggested to induce insulin resistance and inflammation. We measured serum DPP-4 and ADA activities.

RANKL/Osteoprotegerin System and Bone Turnover in Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

Hypothyroidism is associated with changes in bone metabolism. The impact of hypothyroidism and the associated autoimmunity on the mediators of bone turnover in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is not known. In this study, we assessed the levels of OPG, RANKL, and IL-6 along with markers of bone formation as osteocalcin (OC) and markers of bone resorption as type 1 collagen C telopeptide (CTX) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAcP 5b) in 30 hypothyroid and 30 euthyroid premenopausal HT patients and 20 healthy premenopausal controls.

Circulating Th17 cytokine levels are altered in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The disrupted autoimmune response in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) has long been considered to be dominantly T helper type 1 (Th1) mediated. Recent advances in the field of immunology have introduced a new class of effector T cells, named 'Th17', which plays important roles in autoimmune disorders once thought to be merely Th1 mediated. We aimed to examine the levels of major Th17 cytokines in patients with HT in this study.

Serum levels of fetuin A are increased in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: Fetuin A is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to investigate circulating fetuin A concentrations in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Serum fetuin A levels were studied in 26 pregnant women with GDM and 24 healthy pregnant women between 24th and 28th gestational weeks.

Hyperparathyroid crisis presenting with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Purpose: Primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy is a rare condition, and the diagnosis may be confounded by pregnancy related conditions. Since the appropriate management reduces the maternal and fetal complications; differential diagnosis becomes quite crucial.

Method: Clinical course of a patient with hyperparathyroid crisis will be discussed with the review of the literature.

Elevated mean platelet volume is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.

The mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of the average size and activity of platelets. Elevated MPV values are associated with larger and more active platelets and perceived as a new independent cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to determine the MPV in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to determine the correlation of MPV with metabolic parameters in GDM.

The bite force and craniofacial morphology in patients with acromegaly: a pilot study.

Objectives: Acromegaly is a metabolic disorder caused by increased growth hormone secretion. As a consequence of acromegaly some typical craniofacial morphology changes appear. This pilot study was conducted to compare the bite force and the characteristic size and shape of the craniofacial components of acromegalic patients with the healthy Turkish individuals.

AA amyloidosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: impact on clinical course and outcome.

Secondary amyloidosis (AA amyloidosis) has rarely been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We, herein, present a 56-year-old female patient, who developed AA amyloidosis following a 22-year history of SLE. She developed severe mitral regurgitation complicated with chordae tendinea rupture that led to acute congestive heart failure and went on a mitral valve replacement, where no flare symptoms of SLE were present.

Predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease. Thirty-four patients were included. In addition to hematological and biochemical evaluations, echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed both at the beginning and at the end of the first year.