Proof-of-concept study: Remote capillary blood collection for hCG analysis in early pregnancy.

Introduction: Capillary blood collection, a technique traditionally used in diabetes care, shows promise for many applications including pregnancy monitoring. Serial measurement of serum human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) is frequently necessary for managing early pregnancy, including molar pregnancy, requiring multiple visits to a maternity hospital for blood collection by venepuncture. This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the clinical performance and user acceptability of capillary blood samples collected remotely, as an alternative to venous blood for hCG measurement.

Novel scoring system provides high separation of diploidy and triploidy to aid partial hydatidiform mole diagnosis: an adaption of D-DISH for ploidy analysis.

Aims: Diagnosis of hydatidiform mole or molar pregnancy based on morphology alone can be challenging, particularly in early gestation, necessitating the use of ancillary techniques for accurate diagnosis. We sought to adapt the VENTANA dual-colour dual-hapten in-situ hybridisation (D-DISH) assay by using the internal chromosome 17 enumeration probe to determine ploidy status.

Methods: We selected 25 products of conception, consisting of molar and non-molar cases, to validate the D-DISH assay.

Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Women Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes (WHO 2013) 10 Years After Index Pregnancy.

Context: It is not clear if the risk of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) is attenuated in the long-term in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM) using the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 criteria and who have received appropriate treatment during pregnancy.

Objective: We aimed to assess the long-term prevalence of AGT and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in this cohort.

Methods: A retrospective cohort follow-up study was conducted of 37 and 107 women diagnosed with and without GDM respectively using the WHO 2013 criteria between June 2010 and December 2010.

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the vitamin D status of people in the West of Ireland.

Objective: Identify the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the vitamin D status of individuals in the west of Ireland.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Adults who had wintertime serum 25(OH)D analysis completed in Galway University Hospital.

Maintaining glucose integrity ex-vivo: Impact of preanalytical specimen handling.

Background: Adopting the WHO protocol for glucose analysis is arguably impractical in the routine clinical setting. Deviations may develop due to a lack of understanding regarding the impact of glycolysis on the accuracy of results.

Aim: We sought to assess the stability of glucose in two different blood collection tubes (BCT), BD Vacutainer® FX 'Fl-Ox' and Greiner Vacuette® FC-Mix 'FC-Mix' stored at room temperature (RT:18-22°C) and 4°C over 8.

Sublethal Hyperthermia Transiently Disrupts Cortisol Steroidogenesis in Adrenocortical Cells.

Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The first-line treatment adrenalectomy resects adrenal nodules and adjacent normal tissue, limiting suitability to those who present with unilateral disease. Use of thermal ablation represents an emerging approach as a possible minimally invasive therapy for unilateral and bilateral disease, to target and disrupt hypersecreting aldosterone-producing adenomas, while preserving adjacent normal adrenal cortex.

The ability of pGCD59 to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes: a prospective study of non-diabetic pregnant women in Ireland.

Aim: Even though most pregnancies are uneventful, occasionally complications do occur. Gestational diabetes is linked to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Early identification of women at risk of experiencing adverse outcomes, ideally through a single blood test, would facilitate early intervention.

The utility of first trimester plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59) in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective study of non-diabetic pregnant women in Ireland.

Aims: To evaluate the ability of first trimester plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59) to predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 24-28 weeks of gestation.

Methods: Prospectively, in 378 pregnant women, GDM was diagnosed using the one step 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test adjudicated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2013 criteria. The ability of pGCD59 to predict GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves adjusted for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), maternal ethnicity, parity, previous GDM, family history of diabetes mellitus and week of gestation at time of pGCD59 sampling.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Second Trimester Plasma Glycated CD59 (pGCD59) to Identify Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Based on the 75 g OGTT Using the WHO Criteria: A Prospective Study of Non-Diabetic Pregnant Women in Ireland.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of second trimester plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59), a novel biomarker, to predict the results of the 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24−28 weeks of gestation, employing the 2013 World Health Organisation criteria. This was a prospective study of 378 pregnant women. The ability of pGCD59 to predict gestational diabetes (GDM) was assessed using adjusted ROC curves for maternal age, BMI, maternal ethnicity, parity, previous GDM, and family history of diabetes.

Remote capillary blood collection for HbA measurement during the COVID-19 pandemic: A laboratory and patient perspective.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical performance and user acceptance of capillary blood samples prepared remotely using the MiniCollect® capillary blood collection device as an alternative to blood collection by venepuncture for glycated haemoglobin (HbA ) analysis.

Methods: Following written informed consent, a cross-sectional study was conducted in individuals aged ≥18 years with any type of diabetes who routinely self-monitor their blood glucose. Eligible participants recruited whilst attending their routine clinical appointments were required to provide a venous blood sample, prepare a capillary blood sample at home (remotely) and complete a bespoke questionnaire.

Title: Understanding a Low Vitamin D State in the Context of COVID-19.

While a low vitamin D state has been associated with an increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in addition to an increased severity of COVID-19 disease, a causal role is not yet established. Here, we review the evidence relating to i) vitamin D and its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease ii) the vitamin D status in the Irish adult population iii) the use of supplemental vitamin D to treat a deficient status and iv) the application of the Bradford-Hill causation criteria. We conclude that reverse causality probably makes a minimal contribution to the presence of low vitamin D states in the setting of COVID-19.

Major disparities in patient-reported adherence compared to objective assessment of adherence using mass spectrometry: A prospective study in a tertiary-referral hypertension clinic.

Aim: Many challenges exist in determining true rates of adherence to antihypertensive medications among individuals in a clinic setting. For the first time, we aimed to compare patient-reported antihypertensive adherence with objective evidence using mass spectrometry spot urinalysis in a tertiary referral clinic setting.

Methods: A prospective observational single-centre cohort study was performed in a tertiary referral hypertension clinic, encompassing antihypertensive initiation and persistence.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in randomised controlled trials in diabetes and pregnancy: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic complication of pregnancy and its prevalence worldwide is rising. The number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) being conducted in people with diabetes is also increasing. Many studies preferentially publish findings on clinical endpoints and do not report patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Making weight: acute muscle weakness and hypokalaemia exacerbated by thyrotoxicosis factitia in a bodybuilder.

Summary: A 32-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department with a one-day history of acute severe bilateral lower limb weakness, three days after competing in a bodybuilding competition. He consumed large quantities of carbohydrate-rich foods following the competition. His past medical history was significant for anxiety, and family history was non-contributory.

A case of adrenal Cushing's syndrome and primary hyperparathyroidism due to an atypical parathyroid adenoma.

Cushing's syndrome is a rare disorder of cortisol excess and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypercalcaemia due to hyperparathyroidism is a common condition; however, in 10% of young patients, it is associated with other endocrinopathies and occurs due to a genetic variant [e.g.

Burden of chronic kidney disease and rapid decline in renal function among adults attending a hospital-based diabetes center in Northern Europe.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and rapid renal function decline and to identify indices associated with this decline among adults attending a diabetes center in Northern Europe.

Research Design And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 4606 patients who attended a diabetes center in Ireland between June 2012 and December 2016. Definition/staging of chronic kidney disease used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 classification based on data from the most recently attended appointment.

Emerging Protein Biomarkers for the Diagnosis or Prediction of Gestational Diabetes-A Scoping Review.

Gestational diabetes (GDM), defined as hyperglycemia with onset or initial recognition during pregnancy, has a rising prevalence paralleling the rise in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity. GDM is associated with short-term and long-term consequences for both mother and child. Therefore, it is crucial we efficiently identify all cases and initiate early treatment, reducing fetal exposure to hyperglycemia and reducing GDM-related adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Suboptimal management of hypernatraemia in acute medical admissions.

Background: Hypernatraemia arises commonly in acute general medical admissions. Affected patients have a guarded prognosis with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Age-related physiology and physical/cognitive barriers to accessing water predispose older patients to developing hypernatraemia.

Reference values for C-reactive protein and procalcitonin at term pregnancy and in the early postnatal period.

Background: Early recognition of sepsis and prompt treatment improves patient outcome. C-reactive protein is a sensitive marker for tissue damage and inflammation, but procalcitonin has greater specificity for bacterial infection. Limited research exists regarding the use of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin at term pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period.

Atlantic DIP: is weight gain less than that recommended by IOM safe in obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus?

Background/objectives: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends gestational weight gain (GWG) of 5-9 kg in women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m. Debate continues as to whether GWG less than that recommended is safe in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study objective was to examine maternal and infant outcomes for obese women with GDM who lost weight or gained 0-5 kg during pregnancy.