Diagnosis and management of hyperglycemic emergencies

Niyutchai Chaithongdi, Jose S. Subauste, Christian A. Koch, Stephen A. Geraci

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This article is aimed at providing a practical up-to-date review of the precipitating factors, diagnosis, management and secondary prevention of hyperglycemic emergencies (diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) to assist critical care physicians and hospitalists caring for these patients …

Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in children. Do they play a role in the progression of atherosclerosis?

Lampros Fotis, Dionysios Giannakopoulos, Lela Stamogiannou, Maria Xatzipsalti

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In 1995 David Barker formulated the ‘Barker hypothesis’ according to which there is a correlation between undernutrition in utero and several diseases in adult life. More specifically, undernutrition in utero permanently affects the vascular bed, resulting in a predisposition to diseases later on …

Cardiovascular safety of type 2 diabetes medications: Review of existing literature and clinical implications

Sílvia Paredes, Claudia Matta-Coelho, Ana Margarida Monteiro, Alice Brás, Olinda Marques, Marta Alves, Laura Ribeiro

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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the cardiovascular effect of antidiabetic drugs are today critical medical issues, with the prevalence of T2DM in particular showing a steep increase worldwide, mainly due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. T2DM in association with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors, results in the development of CVD, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with T2DM …

Relative Iron “Overload” in Offspring of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A New Component in the Conundrum of Insulin Resistance Syndrome?

Agathoklis Psyrogiannis, Venetsana Kyriazopoulou, Argiris Symeonidis, Michalis Leotsinidis, Apostolos G. Vagenakis

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There are a few reports suggesting that subtle disturbances of iron metabolism are frequently found in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2), but it is not known if these disturbances precede or accompany the diabetic state. We investigated the serum iron indices in 41 offspring of DM2 parents (group I) with normal glucose tolerance …

Alterations of coagulation in metformin intoxication

Baris Akinci, Serkan Yener, Goksel Bengi, Sena Yesil

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It is widely known that metformin reduces the levels of circulating pro-coagulant factors and improve fibrinolytic activity in type 2 diabetes when used in therapeutic doses. Potential alterations of coagulation have not been reported in patients with metformin intoxication. We evaluated certain components of the coagulation system in a patient with metformin intoxication upon admission and after recovery…

The effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone on insulin resistance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance

Afsaneh Talaei, Masoud Amini, Mansour Siavash, Maryam Zare

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OBJECTIVE: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) are the most abundant steroid hormones in the body. Recently, DHEA-S has gained interest as an antidepressant substance, with positive effects on autoimmune disease such as lupus and ulcerative colitis, as well as obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes …

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes in a patient residing

Ioannis Habeos, Venetsana Kyriazopoulou, Dionysios Chartoumpekis, Agathoklis Psyrogiannis

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A 40-year old male residing in the Mediterranean region and afflicted with chronic pancreatitis and diabetes is presented. This is a case of chronic calcific non-alcoholic pancreatitis with characteristic intraductal calculi on abdominal X-ray. Five years following the initial episode of pancreatitis …

Diabetic retinopathy: An historical assessment

George Kalantzis, Michael Angelou, Effie Poulakou-Rebelakou

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Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and is a significant cause of new-onset blindness. Diabetic macular changes in the form of yellowish spots and full or partial thickness extravasations through the retina were observed for the first time by Eduard Jäger. In 1855, he published “Beiträge zur Pathologie des Auges” where he included his fundus paintings…

Brunner’s missing “Aha experience” delayed progress in diabetes research by 200 years

Fritz S. Keck, Leonidas H. Duntas

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In 1889, the pancreatectomy performed on a dog by Joseph von Mehring and Oskar Minkowski led to the discovery of the pancreatic origin of diabetes disease. Already 200 years before, Johann Conrad Brunner had successfully performed eight pancreatectomies on dogs and had precisely described the symptoms of polyphagia, polyuria, and polydipsia…

Rosiglitazone-induced anasarca without heart failure: capillary leakage?

Selcuk Dagdelen, Mevlut Kurt, Kadriye Aydιn, Miyase Bayraktar

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Severity of thiazolidinedione (Rosiglitazone)-induced fluid retention is linked almost exclusively to cardiac decompensation. We here report a 68-year old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in whom a life-threatening (anasarca type) acute pulmonary edema, induced by rosiglitazone plus insulin therapy …

Prevalence and determinants of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Greek adult population

Sofia Tsirona, Fotis Katsaros, Alexandra Bargiota, Stergios A. Polyzos, George Arapoglou, George N. Koukoulis

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The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide reaching epidemic proportions. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of DM in Thessaly, a large region of Central Greece, and to extrapolate our results to the population of the entire country. A random sample of 805 adults (421 females and 384 men) living in Thessaly, aged 18-80 years, was surveyed. After completing a questionnaire about health status and a thorough physical examination …

Oskar Minkowski (1858-1931). An outstanding master of diabetes research

Victor Jörgens

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Oskar Minkowski, a physician of many talents, was an outstanding clinical scientist, a brilliant experimental investigator and a prolific medical writer. His name is connected with highly important clinical studies and experimental probes, all of which significantly contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus after removal of the pancreas (experimental pancreatectomy).

Apollinaire Bouchardat (1806-1886): founder of modern Diabetology

Marianna Karamanou, Michael Koutsilieris, Konstantinos Laios, Filio Marineli, George Androutsos

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Apollinaire Bouchardat is regarded as the founder of the field of Diabetology. His contributions to the field include the first known recommendations for specific diets for the management of Diabetes Mellitus and his emphasis on patient education and self-monitoring. He was moreover a great pharmacist as well as a distinguished physician and biochemist …

Diversity in endocrinology practice: the case of Ramadan

Ioannis Ilias, Luai Said Tayeh, Isidoros Pachoundakis

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There is today an imperative need to raise health workers’ awareness of contemporary cultural diversity and different beliefs, values and attitudes concerning health and disease in order to provide culturally appropriate and professionally competent care. Muslims currently account for 1%-10% of the population in Western Europe …