Insights on epidemiology, morbidity and mortality of Cushing's disease in Northern Ireland.

Cushing's disease is a rare condition that occurs due to an adrenocorticotrophin-producing corticotrophinoma arising from the pituitary gland. The consequent hypercortisolaemia results in multisystem morbidity and mortality. This study aims to report incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, remission outcomes and mortality in a regional pituitary neurosurgical cohort of patients diagnosed with Cushing's disease in Northern Ireland (NI) from 2000 to 2019.

A review of current knowledge about the importance of iodine among women of child-bearing age and healthcare professionals.

Iodine is required for thyroid hormone synthesis and fetal neurogenesis. Recent population studies in the United Kingdom (UK) have found iodine deficiency among schoolgirls, women of child-bearing age and pregnant women. This review explores knowledge and awareness of iodine among women of child-bearing age and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the UK, set within a global context.

Register-based information on thyroid diseases in Europe: lessons and results from the EUthyroid collaboration.

Objective: Registers of diagnoses and treatments exist in different forms in the European countries and are potential sources to answer important research questions. Prevalence and incidence of thyroid diseases are highly dependent on iodine intake and, thus, iodine deficiency disease prevention programs. We aimed to collect European register data on thyroid outcomes to compare the rates between countries/regions with different iodine status and prevention programs.

Iodine status in UK-An accidental public health triumph gone sour.

The improvement in iodine status among the UK population from the 1930s onwards has been described as an 'accidental public health triumph' despite the lack of any iodine fortification program. However, iodine deficiency in the UK has re-emerged in vulnerable groups and is likely due to a combination of changing farming practices, dietary preferences and public health priorities. The UK is now among only a minority of European countries with no legislative framework for iodine fortification.

Recurrence of Phaeochromocytoma and Abdominal Paraganglioma After Initial Surgical Intervention.

Background: Clinical and biochemical follow up after surgery for phaeochromocytoma is essential with long term studies demonstrating recurrence frequencies between 6% and 23%.

Aim: To examine the characteristics and frequency of tumour recurrence in a regional endocrine referral centre, in patients with surgical resection of phaeochromocytoma (P) and abdominal paraganglioma (AP).

Methods: We identified a cohort of 52 consecutive patients who attended our Regional Endocrinology & Diabetes Centre and retrospectively reviewed their clinical, biochemical and radiological data (between 2002 and 2013).

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) replacement on insulin action and quality of life in hypopituitary females: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) to standard pituitary replacement may improve quality of life and glucose metabolism. Conflicting results from the previous work probably relate to differences in populations studied and assessment techniques used. We examined the effects of DHEAS on insulin action and the quality of life in female patients with hypopituitary hypoadrenalism.

What is the best approach to suspected cyclical Cushing syndrome? Strategies for managing Cushing's syndrome with variable laboratory data.

Cyclical Cushing's syndrome is a pattern of hypercortisolism in which the biochemistry of cortisol production fluctuates rhythmically. This syndrome is often associated with fluctuating symptoms and signs. It is now being increasingly recognized.

Cyclical Cushing's syndrome: an update.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews the features of cyclical hypercortisolism. This syndrome was once considered to be very rare but is now being increasingly recognized.

Recent Findings: Either true cycles or the variant of episodic and fluctuating levels of hypercortisolism can lead to considerable clinical dilemmas, which are discussed.

The PPAR-gamma activator rosiglitazone fails to lower plasma ACTH levels in patients with Nelson's syndrome.

Background: Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)- gamma are expressed abundantly in ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours. The PPAR-gamma activator rosiglitazone has been shown to suppress ACTH secretion in human adrenocorticotroph tumour cells in vitro, and prevent and reduce adrenocorticotroph tumour development in mouse models in vivo.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rosiglitazone in patients with persistently elevated plasma ACTH levels postbilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease.