Efficacy of liraglutide in clinical practice: Single centre experience

Background and objective: GLP-one receptor agonists are amongst the unique antidiabetes medications that have significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in addition to glucose lowering effect. To best of our knowledge, there is no published data on efficacy of liraglutide use among Pakistani population.Our objective was to ascertain the efficacy of liraglutide use among type two diabetes patients.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Endocrinology Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan during the period from July 01, 2016 to 30th June, 2017. Liraglutide was prescribed to 68 obese type two diabetes patients with uncontrolled diabetes taking more than one oral medication ± insulin. Starting dose of Liraglutide was 0.6 mg, which was increased to 1.2 mg after 1-2 weeks with further increment to 1.8 mg/day based on tolerance and individual patient preference. Dose of other diabetes medications was adjusted according to clinical judgment whereas Dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitors were discontinued.Results: Mean age of cohort was 55 years (SD=10.94 years) with median body mass index of 36.45 kg/m2 and majority (57.35%) were on a dose of 1.2 mg of Liraglutide per day. Median HbA1c reduced to 7.50% and 7.40% at three months and six months respectively vs 8.45% at baseline. Mean reduction in weight after three month was two kilograms and at six months, it was 1.38 kilograms respectively.Conclusion: Liraglutide as add on therapy demonstrated favourable HbA1c and weight reduction in obese uncontrolled type two Diabetes Pakistani subjects

Localizing an occult insulinoma by selective calcium arterial stimulation test: First ever experience and a new dimension to diagnosis in Pakistan

Insulinomas are rare, usually benign, solitary tumours accounting for 60% of islet cell tumours. These tumours can be difficult to localize preoperatively due to their small size. We present a challenging case of a 40 year old male with frequent hypoglycaemic spells and endogenous hypoglycaemia who presented as a diagnostic dilemma. Patient had an occult insulinoma with inconclusive CT Abdomen, MRI Abdomen and Octreotide scan. The final localization of the tumour was made by selective arterial calcium stimulation testing (SCAT), done for the first time in Pakistan at Aga Khan University Hospital. This was followed by successful distal pancreatectomy as localizd by SACT yielding a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. After surgery patient made a robust recovery with no further hypoglycaemic symptoms. Hence successful localization and management of occult insulinomas can be challenging but can be achieved with the advent of newer invasive modalities

The utility of ultrasound in the preoperative localization of primary hyperparathyroidism: Insights from Pakistan

Objective: We aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US) and 99m-Tc sestamibi scintigraphy for the preoperative localization of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, and comprised the data of patients with PHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy from 2008 to 2017. Preoperative US and 99m-Tc sestamibi scintigraphy findings were recorded and compared to surgical and histological findings, which were taken as a reference standard.Results: The sensitivity of US in the preoperative localization of PHPT was 88.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 94.6%, and accuracy was 84.1%. The sensitivity of 99m-Tc sestamibi scintigraphy was 90.4%, PPV was 94.3%, and accuracy was 85.7%.Conclusion: US neck is an efficient tool for the preoperative localization of PHPT, demonstrating a comparable diagnostic yield with 99m-Tc sestamibi, and can serve as a credible first-line imaging modality in a resource-constrained healthcare setup