Original Research
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Aim and Objective: To study cardiovascular manifestations in hypothyroidism.
Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in Parul Sevashram Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. 150 patients, both men, and women, diagnosed with hypothyroidism attending the Parul Sevashram Hospital were recruited from the outpatient and in-patient departments of medicine. Clinical profiles, history, complications, and all required data were collected. All patients were regularly called for follow-up based on their visits. As per the investigator’s discretion, laboratory tests, i.e., thyroid function tests, CBC, electrocardiogram (ECG), and 2D echocardiography were performed as and when required, and medication was prescribed. All physical examinations and all vitals were recorded at every visit till the end of the study.
Results: A total of 150 patients were included in this study. Male:female: 57:93; age: 28–76 years. Patients were examined in a prospective manner and results were compared with the control group to evaluate the effect of hypothyroidism, subclinical and overt, on the cardiac status by echocardiography. Variables of heart structure and function were assessed by cross-sectional and Doppler echocardiography. Interventricular septum (IVS) dimensions were significantly raised in moderate subclinical and severe overt hypothyroidism (mean 0.9 +/- 0.03 and 0.9 +/- 0.2 cm). Left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) thickness was significantly increased only in overt hypothyroidism (mean 1.3 +/- 0.2). However, RVW and LVID showed no definite pattern of change. Pericardial effusion and diastolic dysfunction were seen in 72 cases only in overt hypothyroidism. Diastolic dysfunction with pericardial effusion was found in 74 (49.3%) cases followed by diastolic dysfunction in 49 (32.6%), systolic dysfunction in 15 (10.0 %), and increased interventricular septum spectrum thickness in 12 (8.6%) patients. The majority of the diastolic dysfunction was mild dysfunction associated with females. No cases were found to have severe diastolic dysfunction.
Discussion: On the basis of a case history, the clinical and para-clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism are reviewed. Exertion dyspnea without signs of cardiac insufficiency occurs frequently. The minute and stroke volume and heart rate are reduced. The blood pressure may rise (reversible) and hypertension may occur. The function of the left ventricle is reversibly reduced. X-ray of the thorax may reveal massive relatively asymptomatic pleural effusion and cardiomegaly. Pericardial exudate occurs frequently and is demonstrated best by echocardiography. The plasma concentrations of several different enzymes (including creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and LDH) may be raised in myxedema. The reason for this is perhaps compromised membrane function in the skeletal muscle cells.
Conclusion: Hypothyroidism, both subclinical and overt, is associated with cardiovascular alteration, both structural and functional. IVS and LVPW thickness are markedly affected, and there is an impairment in left ventricular function in diastole. Furthermore, hypothyroidism is more common in females, between the age group of 20–50 years. The majority of the patients have cardiovascular changes such as ECG abnormalities, pericardial effusion, diastolic dysfunction, and diastolic hypertension. We strongly suggest early detection and initiation of hormone replacement therapy can minimize the associated cardiovascular changes.
Recommendation: To study inter-and intracellular deposits, infiltrations, and fibrosis in the myocardium and these probably contribute to some of the on-specific, reversible ECG changes (low voltage, flattening/inversion of T waves, sinus bradycardia). To study hypothyroidism present can increase atheroma formation. The patients can be grouped into overt and subclinical hypothyroid.
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Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neuro-developmental disorder that is mainly characterized by social interaction impairments. Health-related challenges including weight abnormalities and hormonal impairment seem to have a higher prevalence in ASD individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aquatic training and diet modification according to recommended guidelines on endocrine-related indicators including growth parameters and IGF-1 in teenage and young individuals with ASD.
Methods: 5 individuals diagnosed with ASD (age = 14.86 ± 1.22) participated in regular aquatic sessions for 12 weeks, 2 sessions per week which lasted 60 min in each session. Body weight, stature, body mass index (BMI), and IGF-1 were measured before and after the study. Caregivers and healthcare centers to which the participants were referred for their therapeutic purposes, were given booklets and brochures regarding nutritional recommendations published by health authorities.
Results: All of the participants were overweight (BMI = 27.98 ± 1.44). There was a significant improvement in body weight, BMI, and IGF-1 levels after the study (p ≤0.05). Although, there was no significant improvement in dietary pattern (p = 0.3) despite reported improvements recorded by families regarding food variety and consumed food groups.
Conclusion: Aquatic training and diet modification can improve growth and health-related indicators in individuals with ASD.
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Background and Aim: The study objective was to assess chaotic global metrics in malnourished children following power spectral manipulations.
Methods: We evaluated the complexity of heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) in malnourished subjects via six power spectra (Welch, multi-taper method (MTM), Burg, covariance, Yule-Walker, and periodogram) and then, when adjusted by the MTM parameters, for further refinement. Seventy children were split equally (controls & malnourished) and the HR was monitored for 20 min; 1000 RR-intervals were attained for HRV analysis.
Results: The results stipulate that CFP1 (chaotic forward parameter) and CFP3 are the best metrics to distinguish the two groups. The most appropriate power spectra were Welch, MTM, and Yule-Walker. Results indicate that CFP3 calculated using MTM power spectra is the best combination to discriminate between the two groups. Yet, if the RR intervals are set to 400, discrete prolate spheroidal sequences (DPSS) to 3, and Thomson’s nonlinear combination to ‘adaptive’, a greater level of significance can be achieved (Cohen’s ds = -1.57). This significantly outperforms that under default conditions (Glass’s ∆ Delta = -1.06, and Cohen’s ds = -0.95).
Conclusion: Malnourished children have a lower response to chaotic global metrics than the control group. CFP3 with the aforementioned settings is the best combination to discriminate between these groups on the basis of RR intervals. It has the greatest significance by Cohen’s ds. Our data suggest impaired autonomic function in malnourished children, which may have consequences for cardiovascular risks.
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Aim/Hypothesis: Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus are often motivated to fast during Ramadan despite the challenges and multiple risks. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of fasting during Ramadan on metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Tabuk city.
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled children and adolescents aged 11–18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus who chose to fast during Ramadan 1442/2021 (Hijri/Georgian year, 30 days). The study consisted of three stages: assessment and planning before Ramadan, daily advice and communication during Ramadan, and assessment one month after Ramadan. Details about weight, insulin dose, HbA1c, home glucose records, and type of glucose monitoring (GM) were recorded.
Results: Among 26 patients, 65% were female (35% male); 69% completed Ramadan fasting (fasting group) and 31% did not (broke-fasting group). In the fasting group, 88.9% used flash GM, whereas in the broke-fasting group, 11.1% used self-GM. The home glucose records before Iftar (sunset) were significantly different between the fasting and broke-fasting groups (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadan in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus is possible. Pre-Ramadan management of type 1 diabetes mellitus has a significant impact on glucose control; however, large-scale population-based studies across the country are required to further validate these results.
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Over the past ten years there have been guidelines that have been produced regarding the management of individuals with diabetes undergoing a surgical procedure. This clinical audit will be focusing on the area of orthopaedics and the standards of care received by individuals with diabetes. The audit examined retrospectively; the care received in a large acute NHS trust with a sample of 78 adult individuals with diabetes. Ten audit criteria were reviewed and evaluated and compared to the guidance that is currently available nationally. Both emergency and elective procedures were assessed to see if there were any variances in the management of individuals with diabetes. On review of the results, a number of recommendations will be put forward to the trust with regards to changes that should be implemented to enhance patient care.
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Albuminuria is the most characteristic marker of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is a diabetic complication associated with DN progression. However, renal functions decreased by about one-third of diabetic patients before the occurrence of albuminuria. We study the role of telomere length (TL) of blood leukocytes, some inflammatory markers in the progression of DN in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Volunteers were selected and distributed into four groups: group 1 included 20 healthy subjects as control, group 2: 20 T1D patients with albumin excretion rate (AER) < 30 mg/gm creatinine, group 3: 15 T1D patients with (300 > AER > 30 mg/gm creatinine), group 4: 15 T1D patients with (AER > 300 mg/gm creatinine) and group 5 (DN group), which is a collective group between group 3 and group 4. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-OHdG, and TL in leukocytes were measured. Results showed a significant increase in HbA1c, creatinine, urea, 8-OHdG, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), MDA and decrease in TL in G2, G3, G4, and G5 compared with control with a p-value < 0.05.
Review Article
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This article provides a brief review of macroprolactin (MPRL) – what, why, how, and when. Prolactin (PRL) secretion is uniquely controlled by tonic dopamine inhibition. Circulating PRL is a heterogeneous mixture of different sized proteins – monomer, dimer, and a large PRL-immunoglobulin aggregate also known as MPRL. Hyperprolactinemia (HPRL), which affects male sexual function and female reproduction, is a common endocrine disorder. Elevated PRL may be physiologic, pharmacologic, or pathologic. However, MPRL is quite common (ranging from 13–30%) and should be excluded before inappropriate investigations and therapy for HPRL are initiated. MPRL can be precipitated by mixing serum with polyethylene glycol (PEG) followed by centrifugation; monomeric PRL remains in the supernatant. MPRL is considered present if the PRL recovery is less than 40% or if the post-precipitation PRL concentration is low. The use of both measures for MPRL provides greater clarity. Different immunoassay platforms recognize MPRL differently necessitating assay-specific reference ranges. All HPRL samples should be screened for MPRL.
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We continuously underestimate the eating process: food and cooking methods play a pivotal role in our health. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), more than 117 million American adults have one or more preventable chronic diseases, many of which are related to poor quality eating patterns and physical inactivity. Despite the usual belief about fat in the diet, it has shown that fat has a uniquely positive effect on blood lipid concentrations and cardiovascular risk factors. A low-carb/high-fat/fried-food (LCHFFF) diet has shown to be one of the best natural treatments in lipid profile and glycemia in a patient with metabolic syndrome.