Prevalence of Thyroid Autoimmunity among Type 2 Diabetes Moroccan subjects: A Retrospective study

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern in the general Moroccan population and often associated with common endocrine disorders particularly thyroid dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of T2D and the thyroid autoimmunity (TDI) in Moroccan subjects.A retrospective study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2018. We collected data from 52 diabetic patients and 71 non-diabetic subjects (controls). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) levels were measured using Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (CT) concentrations were determined using dry chemistry method. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography principle.   Among 52 diabetic subjects, 23 (44.2.8%) were positives for thyroid antibodies.  The TPOAb mean did not differ significantly between diabetic and control individuals  (24.51 ± 8.22 vs. 13.27 ± 3.72, p=0.167). However, regarding the TgAb level a significant difference was observed in T2D (20.32 ± 4.94 vs. 8.51 ± 2.59, p = 0.004) compared to subjects without diabetes. Hypothyroidism was reported in 52 diabetic patients (44.23%) and (50.7%) in non-diabetic subjects. The analysis of multiple logistic regressions indicated that high risk of TDI in diabetic patients   was not related to diabetes, sex, age, or status of dyslipidemia.Our data revealed no significant association between T2D and TDI disorders in Moroccan subjects. However, further studies on a large sample are needed to confirm these findings

Treatment evaluation, follow-up and familial screening of medullary thyroid carcinoma by highly specific calcitonin measurements

BACKGROUND: Calcitonin is the most sensitive and specific marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). AIMS: The aim of this study was to emphasize the role and the limits of plasma basal calcitonin (bCT) measurement in the management of Moroccan MTC patients and their relatives. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective study on 6 MTC patients referred to our institute from January 1996 to December 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum bCT levels were measured in 36 individuals comprising six known MTC cases, 18 relatives and 12 healthy volunteers, using two-sites immunoradiometric assay method. Five of MTC patients have been followed from 12 to 96 months after surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Calculations were performed using SPSS 10.0 program. Data comparison was done by Student's t -test. RESULTS: The circulating preoperative bCT concentrations were elevated for all MTC patients (range, 44,8 -2055 pg/ml, normal < 10). Recent postoperative bCT determinations varied from 24.4 to 1972 pg/ml in four patients. In one patient, the bCT value decreased to an undetectable level during a follow-up of 12 months. The mean bCT level of relatives was 4.90 \ub1 3.54 pg/ml; two patients had slightly elevated bCT. Five (42%) healthy volunteers had undetectable bCT levels and all had less than 10 pg/ml; the mean bCT value was 3.06 \ub1 2.51 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Routine plasma bCT measurement still has an important place in the preoperative diagnosis and follow-up treatment of MTC

The impact of serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels on Breast Cancer risk: A retrospective study

Introduction:  This study aims is to explore the relationship of serum glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and breast cancer (BC).Methods: We analyzed data in 100 women with confirmed BC and in the same number of age-matched disease-free controls. Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were estimated using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. Glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were evaluated using dry chemistry method.Results: In this study no significant differences were found comparing glucose and total cholesterol levels in BC cases and controls. The adjusted ORs were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.48-1.49) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.28-1.37) respectively. However, a significant inverse association between BC risk and increasing levels of triglycerides was observed, particularly at postmenopausal stage (OR= 0.32, 95%CI: 0.14-0.77). Based on CEA and CA15-3 levels measurement and BC duration, we showed that diabetes and lipid status did not influence the course of the malignancy.Conclusion:  Our study highlights the absence of the effect of diabetes and dyslipidemia on the risk and progression of BC. Further prospective investigations are required to confirm this important issue

RET genetic screening in patients with medullary thyroid cancer: The Moroccan experience

Background : Germline RET gene mutations are well known to be the genetic causes of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) and may be identified by genetic screening. Aim : The purpose of the present study was to screen nine MTC patients for RET sequence changes. Materials and Methods : In this study, our sample was composed of 30 individuals: 9 index patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) corresponding either to 3 subjects with clinical evidence of MEN2, 6 with apparently sporadic MTC (sMTC), and 21 relatives have been investigated for RET mutations. After DNA extraction from peripheral blood leukocytes, RET exons 8, 10, 11, 13-16 and exon/intron boundaries were analyzed by direct PCR sequencing. Results : Three different known RET germline mutations in exon 11 (codon 634), p.Cys634Arg (c1900 T→C) (de novo case), p.Cys634Phe (c1901 G→T), p.Cys634Trp (c1902 C→G), were detected in three individuals with MEN2 phenotype. Of the 21 relatives, 2 cases presented mutation. Among the six probands with sMTC, none was found to carry mutation. There was no difference between RET polymorphisms detected among both MEN2 and sMTC patients. Conclusions : These preliminary data suggest that the RET mutation spectra observed in Moroccan patients with MEN2 are similar to those previously reported in other countries