Search

Background: Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) is indicated in the diagnosis of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS), especially when the results of the initial diagnostic tests are discordant., Objective: To describe the patients who underwent this invasive functional test in a tertiary hospital., Methods: This was an observational study of a retrospective cohort of patients with ACTH-dependent CS and IPSS between 2004 and 2019. We determined their epidemiological, hormonal, radiological and functional characteristics, and evaluated their diagnostic capacity and optimal cut-off points to differentiate between Cushing's disease (CD) and ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS)., Results: 23 patients were evaluated, of which 65.2% were women with the average age of 42 (36-62) years. ACTH secretion of pituitary origin was evident in 82.6% of the patients and of ectopic origin in 17.4%. Plasma cortisol, urinary free cortisol, and ACTH levels were higher in patients with ECS. Regarding IPSS, the baseline central/peripheral ACTH gradient detected 89.5% of patients with CD and after stimulation with CRH, 100%. The optimal cut-off points in the diagnosis of CD were 2.06 at baseline and 2.49 after CRH stimulation., Conclusion: IPSS with CRH stimulation is a test with a high diagnostic accuracy for correctly classifying patients with CD and ECS. The cut-off points of the gradients may be different from the classic ones. Therefore, we recommend that each center perform its own evaluation., (Copyright © 2021 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Obesity is a very prevalent disease with multiple chronic complications that decrease or disappear after a small (5-10%) but maintained weight loss. Nevertheless, maintaining weight loss after the treatment is very difficult and it involves one of the biggest challenges to control this epidemic. Although the reasons that contribute to regain the lost weight are diverse and related to the biological response to caloric restriction and the lack of adherence to treatment, up to 20% of the patients are able to keep it off. The keys to success, involve the maintenance of healthy habits, exercise and a reasonable daily calorie intake to allow a normal way of life, without sacrificing the social life. At this point, learning to distinguish food and drink options in a society where social life often revolves around the table is very important. We review the keys to keep the weight off after a diet as well as the role of fermented beverages such as beer, in this process. In conclusion, maintenance the weight loss is harder than losing it. The mild-to-moderate consumption of fermented beverages such as beer is not associated with weight increase.

Objective: To evaluate anthropometric characteristics and satisfaction with self body image in a group of university students., Material and Methods: 64 university students from 21 to 25 years old, 36 females and 28 males, were studied. Body composition was evaluated by anthropometric data and bioimpedance. Satisfaction with body image was self evaluated by a score from 0 to 10., Results: Mean BMI was 21.95 and fat mass 12.15 ± 5.27 Kg, greater in women. Satisfaction level was high, with a mean score of 7.15 + 1.15, only 3 participants rated themselves below 5 points. There were no differences between sexes and there was not correlation between self evaluation and anthropometric data in the whole group but, in women, an inverse correlation (r=-0.52) between self evaluation and BMI was observed. This correlation was lesser (r=-0.30) between self evaluation and fat mass percent., Conclusions: Anthropometric characteristics in the study population were appropriate, as reflected by the high level of satisfaction with their body images. Nevertheless, there is a trend towards a lower self evaluation at greater BMI in women. This trend is not so strong with greater fat mass percent, despite this parameter would represent more exactly the real body image., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)