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Purpose: In this study, we will investigate the possible side effects of psoriasis patients using long-term topical corticosteroids (TCS) such as adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) and osteoporosis and determine how these side effects develop. Material and Methods: Forty-nine patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the potency of the topical steroid they took and the patients’ ACTH, cortisol and bone densitometer values were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the development of surrenal insufficiency, CS and osteoporosis. One patient in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2 were evaluated as iatrogenic CS. ACTH stimulation tests of these patients in group 2 showed consistent results with adrenal insufficiency, while no adrenal insufficiency was detected in the patient in Group 1. Patients who used more than 50g of superpotent topical steroids per week compared to patients who used 50g of superpotent topical steroids per week. It was identified that patients who used more than 50g of superpotent topical steroids had significantly lower cortisol levels, with a negatively significant correlation between cortisol level and the amount of topical steroid use (p<.01). Osteoporosis was detected in 3 patients in group 1 and 8 patients in Group 2. Because of the low number of patients between two groups, statistical analysis could not be performed to determine the risk factors. Conclusions: Our study is the first study that we know of that investigated these three side effects. We have shown that the development of CS, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis in patients who use topical steroids for a long time depends on the weekly TCS dosage and the risk increases when it exceeds the threshold of 50 grams per week. therefore, our recommendation would be to avoid long-term use of superpotent steroids and to choose from the medium-potent group if it is to be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ongoing debate regarding the need for screening Cushing's syndrome (CS) in patients with obesity continues. The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence of CS in the population with obesity and assess how metabolic health status influences cortisol levels following the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST)., Methods: This retrospective study included 1008 patients with obesity who underwent screening with the 1 mg DST for CS. These patients were categorized into two groups as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and unhealthy obesity (MUO)., Results: Out of the 1008 patients, 779 (77.3%) belonged to the MUO group. Within the entire study cohort, 12 (1.2%) patients exhibited a cortisol level of ≥ 1.8 after the 1 mg DST. Cortisol levels following the 1 mg DST were also significantly higher in the MUO group than in the MHO group (p = 0.001). Among these 12 patients, 11 were presenting a MUO phenotype. Hypercortisolism was definitively diagnosed in two patients, resulting in an overall prevalence of 0.2%. The 1 mg DST demonstrated a specificity of 99% and 100% sensitivity for screening for CS., Conclusions: While the 1 mg DST is a practical screening test for CS with high specificity in obesity, the number of CS cases detected remains relatively low. Therefore, it may be more reasonable and applicable to screen patients with MUO phenotype rather than all individuals with obesity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Thyroid volume (TV) has been found to be associated with age, anthropometry, smoking, iodine status and hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia is frequent finding in patients with PCOS and has associations with TV. However, the TV has been evaluated only a few studies in patients with PCOS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and hormonal variables in patients with PCOS comparing with the controls and their relationships between TV., Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in a training and research hospital. The study population consisted of 47 reproductive-age PCOS women and 30 control subjects. We evaluated anthropometric, biochemical and hormonal parameters as well as thyroid volume in PCOS patients and controls. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR)., Results: Mean age, BMI, thyroid stimulant hormone (TSH) levels and TV were similar between groups (p<0.05). The HOMA-IR and free T4 levels were higher in patients with PCOS. However, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance were not found to be associated with TV. Thyroid volume was positively correlated with the LH and anti TPO levels. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to HOMA-IR levels. The mean TV measurement was higher in group with higher HOMA-IR levels, but the difference was not significant in young age PCOS patients., Conclusion: In early age PCOS patients it was observed that insulin resistance had no effect on TV. In this case, anti TPO and LH have dominant effect on TV. Chronic stimulation with LH and insulin may lead to increase in TV in later stages of the PCOS diseases.