Paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl and FH gene mutation

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Changes in Testosterone Levels and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Levels in Extremely Obese Men after Bariatric Surgery

Objective. Obesity is a risk factor for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in men. Weight loss has been shown to improve hypogonadism in obese men. This study evaluated the early changes in sex hormones profile after bariatric surgery. Methods. This is a prospective study including 29 morbidly obese men. Main outcomes were changes in serum levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (cFT), SHBG, estradiol, adiponectin, and leptin at 1 and 6 months after surgery. Results. The mean age of patients was 31 ± 8 years and the mean BMI was 56.8 ± 11.7 kg/m2. Fifteen patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 14 patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy. At baseline, 22 patients (75.9%) had either low TT levels (<10.4 nmol/L) or low cFT levels (<225 pmol/L). Total testosterone and SHBG levels increased significantly at 1 month after surgery (p≤0.001). At 6 months after surgery, TT and cFT increased significantly (p≤0.001) and 22 patients (75.9%) had normalized TT and cFT levels. There were no changes in estradiol levels at either 1 month or 6 months after surgery. Conclusions. Increases in TT and SHBG levels occurred early at 1 month after bariatric surgery while improvements in cFT levels were observed at 6 months after bariatric surgery

Association of osteoporosis and sarcopenia with fracture risk in transfusion-dependent thalassemia

Abstract Patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. They also have several potential factors associated with sarcopenia. There has been currently no study on sarcopenia and its association with falls and fractures in TDT. This study aims to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and sarcopenia in adults with TDT. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the hematologic clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Clinical data and laboratory testing were collected. Bone mineral density and morphometric vertebral fracture were assessed. Sarcopenia was defined using the 2014 and 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. We included 112 TDT patients aged 35.1 ± 12.5 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 38.4%. Fragility fractures were found in 20.5% of patients. Lower BMI (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.12–0.72, P = 0.007) and hypogonadal state (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.09–12.74, P = 0.036) were independently associated with osteoporosis. According to the 2014 AWGS criteria, the prevalence of overall sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 44.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Severe sarcopenia was strongly associated with fragility fractures (OR 4.59, 95% CI 1.21–17.46, P = 0.025). In conclusion, osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and sarcopenia were prevalent in adults with TDT. Severe sarcopenia was associated with fragility fractures. Early osteoporosis and sarcopenia screening and prevention may reduce fracture risk and its complications in these patients