Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association
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Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes · Sep 2003
Clinical characterisation of severe hypoglycaemia--a prospective population-based study.
To determine the clinical characteristics of severe hypoglycaemia (SH) in a nonselected German population. SH was defined as an event requiring intravenous glucose or glucagon injection. ⋯ In elderly, multimorbid patients approaching the insulin-deficient end of the spectrum of type 2 diabetes the risk of developing SH increases considerably, nearing that in patients with type 1 diabetes. In order to avoid SH in geriatric patients, the treatment targets should be defined critically, taking into account individual quality of life and life expectancy. Hypoglycaemia unawareness is a major risk factor for SH in type 1 diabetes.
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Hyperthyroidism is a common disorder and affects approximately 2 % of women and 0.2 % of men. The review focuses on the therapy of overt hyperthyroidism with special emphasis on treatment strategies in Germany and Europe. Current treatment schedules for the different causes of hyperthyroidism are described and new therapeutic aspects are discussed. Special sections deal with the treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy, neonates and children, and the treatment of thyrotoxic storm.
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Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes · Sep 2003
Multicenter StudyInfluence of an antidiabetic treatment with sulfonylurea drugs on long-term survival after acute myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes. The LAngendreer Myocardial infarction and Blood glucose in Diabetic patients Assessment (LAMBDA).
Patients with type 2 diabetes show a significantly higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction than non-diabetic patients. The influence of sulfonylureas on the survival after acute myocardial infarction is still under debate. ⋯ An antidiabetic treatment with sulfonylurea-drugs prior to acute myocardial infarction does not have negative effects on the long-term survival. Larger prospective studies will be necessary to finally clarify this question.
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Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes · Jan 2001
Differential age-related changes of hypothalamus - pituitary - adrenal axis hormones in healthy women and men - role of interleukin 6.
Aging is accompanied by marked changes of steroid hormone levels which vary among women and men. The age-related increase of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)- 6 may modulate the endocrine system. We aimed to investigate the role of IL-6 for the gender-specific changes of acrophase steroid hormone secretion in healthy subjects during aging. ⋯ In conclusion, IL-6 plays an important role for acrophase pituitary and peripheral hormone secretion in women only. The gender-specific changes of cortisol in relation to ACTH depend on the age-related decrease of the respective sex hormone in both gender groups and the increase of IL-6 in women. This study underlines the hormone-like role of IL-6 in the aging process of the endocrine system in women.
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Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes · Jan 2000
Evaluation of haemostatic and fibrinolytic markers in patients with Cushing's syndrome and in patients with adrenal incidentaloma.
It is known that either chronic glucocorticoid administration or endogenous hypercortisolism frequently induce an hypercoagulable condition. Since little is known about the evaluation of markers of haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems in other adrenal disorders, we studied plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA), fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF-Ag) levels in 11 patients with Cushing's syndrome and in 12 patients with adrenal incidentaloma. In patients with Cushing's syndrome mean PAI-1, t-PA and vWF-Ag levels did not significantly differ from those found in 50 age- and sex-matched controls, while mean fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients (337.0+/-39.1 mg/dl) than in normal subjects (278.9+/-8.4 mg/dl). ⋯ An increased t-PA level was occasionally observed only in the patient with adrenal carcinoma. On the whole, an alteration of at least one of haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters was detected in 55% of the patients with Cushing's syndrome and in 42% of those with adrenal incidentaloma. In conclusion, early alterations of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems may be found in some patients with adrenal disorders, thus suggesting the opportunity of an accurate follow-up in order to identify possible risk factors for cardiovascular disease and thromboembolism.