Frontiers in endocrinology
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Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) · Jan 2020
Meta AnalysisTestosterone Supplementation in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Background: The effect of testosterone supplementation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) remains uncertain. Methods: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. RCTs that evaluate the chronic effect of testosterone supplementation on exercise capacity and cardiac function in CHF were identified via searching of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane's Library databases. ⋯ Moreover, testosterone supplementation did not significantly affect left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD: -1.52%, p = 0.37), serum B-type natriuretic peptide (SMD: -0.19, p = 0.23), or a composite outcome of death or HF hospitalization (risk ratio [RR]: 1.02, p = 0.96). Although testosterone supplementation increased systolic blood pressure (BP) in CHF patients (WMD: 5.68 mmHg, p < 0.001), diastolic BP or heart rate was not significantly changed as compared to control. Conclusions: Testosterone supplementation within a physiological range is not associated with significantly improved exercise capacity, cardiac function, quality of life, or clinical outcome in CHF patients.
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Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) · Jan 2020
ReviewObesity, Diabetes and COVID-19: An Infectious Disease Spreading From the East Collides With the Consequences of an Unhealthy Western Lifestyle.
The pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has had a global impact not seen for an infectious disease for over a century. This acute pandemic has spread from the East and has been overlaid onto a slow pandemic of metabolic diseases of obesity and diabetes consequent from the increasing adoption of a Western-lifestyle characterized by excess calorie consumption with limited physical activity. It has become clear that these conditions predispose individuals to a more severe COVID-19 with increased morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Infection leads to an inflammatory response and tissue damage resulting in increased metabolic activity and an associated increase in the mechanisms by which cells ingest and degrade tissue debris and foreign materials. It is becoming clear that viruses have acquired an ability to exploit these mechanisms to invade cells and facilitate their own life-cycle. In obesity and diabetes these mechanisms are chronically activated due to the deteriorating metabolic state and this may provide an increased opportunity for a more profound and sustained viral infection.
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Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) · Jan 2020
ReviewLevothyroxine for the Treatment of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease.
Subclinical hypothyroidism is a biochemical condition defined by elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in the setting of normal levels of the peripheral thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Thyroid hormones act on the heart through various mechanisms and subclinical hypothyroidism has been associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. In addition, evidence from multiple studies supports an association between subclinical hypothyroidism and cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Treatment with levothyroxine may only provide benefit in certain subgroups, such as patients who are younger or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. At present, most of the international societal guidelines advise that treatment decisions should be individualized based on patient age, degree of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) elevation, symptoms, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and other co-morbidities. Further study in this area is recommended.
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Administration of the optimal dose of levothyroxine (LT4) is crucial to restore euthyroidism after total thyroidectomy. An insufficient or excessive dosage may result in hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, either one associated with a number of symptoms/complications. Most literature regarding the LT4 dosage deals with the treatment of primary hypothyroidism, whereas a limited number of studies handle the issue of thyroxin replacement after total thyroidectomy. ⋯ Furthermore, some gastrointestinal conditions and their treatments can contribute to suboptimal LT4 performance by altering gastric acidity and thereby reducing its bioavailability, particularly in the solid form. Beyond the classic tablet form, new formulations of LT4, such as a soft gel capsule and an oral solution, recently became available. The liquid formulation is supposed to overcome the food and beverages interference with absorption of LT4 tablets.
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Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) · Jan 2020
The Impact of Physical Activity on Glycemic Variability Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.
Aim: Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) have increased risk of developing vascular complications due to chronic hyperglycemia. Glycemic variability (GV) has been suggested to play an even more important role in the risk of developing diabetic complications than sustained hyperglycemia. Physical activity (PA) has shown reducing effects on mean plasma glucose; however, the effect on GV in T2DM needs further description. ⋯ Conclusion: The systematic literature search revealed limited and biased evidence showing that acute PA numerically reduced GV in patients with T2DM. PA reduced GV independently of PA intensity and T2DM progression. Prolonged RCTs with low ROB are needed to confirm reducing effects of PA on GV and to assess the influence of patient- and intervention characteristics on the effect of PA on GV.