Premature Pubarche: Time to Revise the Diagnostic Approach?

Premature pubarche (PP) could represent the first manifestation of non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21 hydroxylase deficiency (NC21OHD) (10-30% of cases). In the last 20 years, the necessity of performing an ACTH test to diagnose NC21OHD in all cases with PP has been questioned, with conflicting results. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the predictive value of the basal androgens, 17-OHP levels, and auxological features in suggesting the presence of NC21OHD and, thus, the need for a standard ACTH test to confirm the diagnosis.

Barriers to Accessing Primary Care and Appropriateness of Healthcare Among Immigrants in Italy.

Introduction: The health status and health care needs of immigrant populations must be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate barriers to accessing primary care and the appropriateness of health care among resident immigrants in Italy, using indicators regarding maternal health, avoidable hospitalization, and emergency care.

Methods: Cross-sectional study using some indicators of the National Monitoring System of Health Status and Healthcare of the Immigrant Population (MSHIP), coordinated by the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), calculated on perinatal care, hospital discharge, and emergency department databases for the years 2016-2017 in nine Italian regions (Piedmont, Trento, Bolzano, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Basilicata, Sicily).

Parameters of Glucose Homeostasis in the Recognition of the Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

To verify the accuracy of different indices of glucose homeostasis in recognizing the metabolic syndrome in a group of adult patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), 102 PWS patients (53 females/49 males), age ±SD 26.9 ± 7.6 yrs, Body Mass Index (BMI) 35.

The Role of Different Indexes of Adiposity and Body Composition for the Identification of Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Obesity.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of different indexes of adiposity and/or body composition in identifying the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a group of 1528 Caucasian women with obesity: (age ± standard deviation (SD): 50.8 ± 14 years (range 18-83); body mass index (BMI) 43.3 ± 5.

[Evaluating health care of the immigrant population in Italy through indicators of a national monitoring system].

Objectives: to evaluate maternal and child healthcare, avoidable hospitalisation, access to emergency services among immigrants in Italy.

Design: cross sectional study of some health and health care indicators among Italian and foreign population residing in Italy in 2016-2017.

Setting And Participants: indicators based on the national monitoring system coordinated by the Italian National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP) of Rome, calculated on perinatal care (CedAP), hospital discharge (SDO), emergency services (EMUR) archives for the years 2016-2017, by of the following regions: Piedmont, Trento, Bolzano, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Basilicata, Sicily.

Accuracy of Different Indexes of Body Composition and Adiposity in Identifying Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Subjects with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

(1) Objective: To compare the accuracy of different indexes of adiposity and/or body composition in identifying metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adult patients suffering from Prader‒Willi syndrome (PWS). (2) Study Design: One hundred and twenty PWS patients (69 females and 51 males), aged 29.1 ± 9.

Indexes of adiposity and body composition in the prediction of metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents: Which is the best?

Background And Aim: There is no agreement about which index of adiposity and/or body composition is the most accurate in identifying the metabolic syndrome (METS). The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of the different indexes in order to recognize the most reliable.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 1332 obese children and adolescents (778 females and 554 males), aged 14.

Bone Geometry, Quality, and Bone Markers in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus show a high risk of bone fracture, probably as a consequence of a decreased bone mass and microarchitectural bone alterations. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential negative effects of type 1 diabetes on bone geometry, quality, and bone markers in a group of children and adolescents. 96 children, mean age 10.

The relationship between hyperthyrotropinemia and metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in a large group of overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Purpose: Mild TSH elevations are frequently observed in obese patients, in the absence of any detectable thyroid disease. Our objective is to evaluate the relationship between the raised TSH levels and the biochemical and clinical consequences of obesity.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of a large population of obese children and adolescents.

Thyroid function in children and adolescents with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after l-thyroxine discontinuation.

Objective: Thyroid function may recover in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

Design: To investigate thyroid function and the need to resume l-thyroxine treatment after its discontinuation.

Setting: Nine Italian pediatric endocrinology centers.

The Influence of GH Treatment on Glucose Homeostasis in Girls With Turner Syndrome: A 7-Year Study.

Context: Growth hormone (GH) influences glucose homeostasis mainly by negatively affecting insulin sensitivity.

Objective: To longitudinally study insulin sensitivity [via homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S)], insulin secretion [insulinogenic index (IGI)], and capacity of β cells to adapt to changes in insulin sensitivity [oral disposition index (ODI)] in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) undergoing GH treatment.

Design And Setting: Longitudinal, retrospective, 7-year study conducted in a tertiary pediatric endocrine unit and university pediatric clinic.

Risky use and misuse of alcohol and cigarettes in psychiatric inpatients: a screening questionnaire study.

Background: Mental disorders are associated with an increased prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs). Despite this comorbidity being firmly established, alcohol and nicotine risky use and misuse are not routinely and systematically assessed in clinical practice.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of risky use of alcohol, alcohol use disorder (AUD), smoking, and nicotine use disorder in people with psychiatric diagnoses and their association with age, gender, and occupational functioning.

A Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of the Implementation of Surgical Safety Checklists in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Importance: The appropriately coached implementation of surgical safety checklists (SSCs) reduces the incidence of perioperative complications and 30-day mortality of patients undergoing surgery. The association of the introduction of SSCs with 90-day mortality remains unclear.

Objective: To assess the association between the implementation of SSCs and all-cause 90- and 30-day mortality rates.

Adults with Prader-Willi syndrome have weaker bones: effect of treatment with GH and sex steroids.

Obesity has been considered to have a protective effect against the risk of fractures in adults. However, a high frequency of fracture is described in obese adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. To evaluate bone geometry, density and strength in a group of adult obese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and to examine the modulating effect on bone of treatment with growth hormone (GH) and sex steroids.

Prematurity and low birth weight lead to altered bone geometry, strength, and quality in children.

Purpose: Prematurity and low birth weight are associated with a decrease in bone mass. Aim of the study was to investigate bone geometry, strength, and quality in children born at term small for gestational age (term SGA), premature appropriate for gestational age (prem AGA), and premature SGA (prem SGA).

Methods: 91 patients (46 f, 45 m), mean age 11.

A national study of iodine status in Albania.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the iodine status in Albania following 11 yr of iodine prophylaxis and to evaluate factors influencing the outcome.

Design: Eight hundred and forty children, aged 6-13 yr, living in 4 different regions and 365 pregnant women living in the same areas, were enrolled for the study. The prevalence of goiter was assessed by palpation and ultrasound imaging and the urinary iodine and the iodine concentration in the salt of different commercial brands were evaluated.

Prematurity may be a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction in childhood.

Context: Children born prematurely and/or small for gestational age (SGA) frequently show disturbances in thyroid function.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the role played either by size or gestational age on subsequent thyroid function.

Design And Setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital.

[Peripheral arterial disease in a population of type 2 diabetic patients: its correlation with diabetic microangiopathy and laboratory parameters].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a population of type 2 diabetic patients (NIDDM) and its possible correlation with diabetic nephropathy (DN), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and also with some biochemical parameters of glomerular and tubular renal function.

Methods: The study included a total of 150 NIDDM patients, randomly selected, who have been followed-up at the Metabolic Center of our Division. All patients underwent assessment of the ankle/brachial pressure index (ABI) and Doppler ultrasound of the lower extremities.

[Renal Doppler color ultrasonography in the study of diabetic nephropathy].

The traditional ultrasound approach in the field of diabetic nephropathy provides only partial clinical information; moreover, the data obtained are merely descriptive, in particular regarding the involvement of the intrarenal arteries, which is however the area mainly involved. The aim of our study was to assess the data provided by Doppler ultrasound and in particular the role of the Resistive Index (RI) in a population of 160 type 2 diabetics (NIDDM), divided into 4 groups according to the severity of diabetic nephropathy. The assessment of RI has enabled us to detect among patients in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy (64 patients of group 1), a subgroup of 28 subjects (43.