In conclusion, depressiveness and anxiety were associated positively with age and female gender and were more prevalent among subjects with MetS and known diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its elements in relation to TSH in euthyroid subjects. Materials and metho ds: In the cross-sectional study, 2,153 euthyroid adults, 47.2 ± 14.5 years (20-94) with no current antithyroid or thyroid replacement therapy were enrolled. All participants filled a questionnaire on past and current morbidities, medication and smoking. Body weight, height, waist circumference, serum TSH, glucose and lipids were measured. The subjects were stratified by quartiles of TSH (QTSH) and the prevalence of the MetS elements was calculated. MetS RESUMOObjetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência e características da síndrome metabólica (MetS) e seus elementos em relação ao TSH em sujeitos eutireoides. Materiais e mé-todos: Foram analisados, em um estudo transversal, 2.153 adultos eutiroides, de 47,2 ± 14,5 anos (20-94) sem terapia antitiroidiana ou de reposição. Todos os participantes preencheram um questionário sobre doenças atuais e passadas, medicações e tabagismo. O peso corporal, altura, circunferência da cintura, TSH, glicose e lipídios séricos foram medidos. Os sujeitos foram estratificados em quartis de TSH (QTSH) e a prevalência dos elementos da MetS foram calculados. Os critérios da MetS foram determinados pela IDF 2005. Resultados: A prevalência de sobrepeso foi de 37,2% (35,2-39,2), de obesidade -25,1% (23,9), obesidade abdominal -61,4% (59,3-63,5), hipertensão -42,1% (38,9-43,1), diabetes/aumento da glicose de jejum -13,6% (12,1-15), baixo colesterol HDL -27,6% (25,7-29,5), hipertrigliceridemia -24,1% (22,3-25,9), 2% (30,2). A MetS foi mais prevalente no QTSH mais alto (34,9%; 30,9-38,9) do que no mais baixo (27%; 23,3-30,9), p < 0,001, assim como o baixo [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]9 contra 25%,21,7; p < 0,001) e hipertrigliceridemia (26,8%; 23-30,5 contra 20,4%, 17-23,8; p = 0,015). Cada QTSH aumentou o risco MetS em 14%, p < 0,001, de hipertrigliceridemia em 20%, p = 0,001 e de baixo LDL-C em 9%, p = 0,042. Outros fatores significativos para a MetS foram idade, sexo masculino e obesidade. Conclusão: A prevalência de MetS aumentou com um maior QTSH dentro da variação eutiroide, principalmente por aumento da dislipidemia. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):926-32 Descritores Síndrome metabólica; função tiroidiana; eutiroidismo; MetS; elementos da síndrome metabólica

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of both gender and age on insulin secretion, peripheral insulin effectiveness and insulin-receptor binding. Eighty healthy volunteers, 40 females of mean age 38.47 +/- 11.37 years and mean BMI 21.99 +/- 2.06 kg/m(2) and 40 males of mean age 34.87 +/- 11.22 years and mean BMI 22.65 +/- 2.31 kg/m(2), with normal glucose tolerance participated in the study. Peripheral insulin effectiveness was measured by the artificial endocrine pancreas, using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique and insulin-receptor binding on circulating mononuclear blood cells. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was significantly higher in females as compared to males (p < 0.001), while males demonstrated higher total number of insulin receptors (p < 0.0001) and number of high-affinity receptors (p < 0.01). Peripheral insulin sensitivity decreased with ageing in both males and females, the reduction in females being more pronounced (p < 0.05). In the group under 40 years, the females demonstrated significantly higher insulin sensitivity as compared to males (p < 0.001) and lower insulin-receptor binding. Over 40 years, females presented higher peripheral insulin sensitivity and higher insulin-receptor binding. The percentage of specifically bound insulin increased significantly with ageing in females and decreased in males. We consider that probably the higher androgen level in males affects the post-receptor processes in insulin action and despite the higher insulin-receptor binding, males have lower insulin sensitivity. The androgen levels in females increase with ageing, which could probably affect peripheral insulin sensitivity at the post-receptor level. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that when analysing peripheral insulin effectiveness and insulin-receptor binding, one should always consider both gender and age.

AIMThe aim of this study was to compare two nationwide cross-sectional studies of diabetes prevalence in Bulgaria (2006 and 2012) and to assess its dynamics.MATERIAL AND METHODSThe two studies included 2396 and 2033 subjects, respectively. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria were applied, and the data were weighed for type of settlement and age.RESULTSDiabetes prevalence was found to be 7.9% in 2006 and 9.55% in 2012, P = 0.06, showing an increase of 20.9%. The absolute increase was 0.9% in the females and 2.3% in the males (P < 0.09). The increase was the largest in those aged 50–59: [9.4%, 2006 vs. 15.7%, 2012, P < 0.01]. Diabetes prevalence increased in the 20–60-year olds by 6.8% and decreased in the elderly by 6.1%. Obesity increased from 26.7 to 32.7%, P < 0.02.CONCLUSIONSA significant increase in diabetes prevalence was found that necessitates healthcare measures and resources for community-based awareness and prevention programs.

Constitutively activating thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) germline mutations have been identified as a molecular cause of congenital hyperthyroidism. Patients with relapsing hyperthyroidism were previously treated with surgery and radioiodine. We report on a 22-year-old male patient who was treated for his multiple relapses of hyperthyroidism by repeated subtotal thyroidectomies (STE). During the 22 years of follow-up, the patient developed several relapses of hyperthyroidism, four of them after thyroid surgeries. Sequencing of the TSHR gene revealed a gain-of-function mutation with an amino acid exchange of aspartate to tyrosine in codon 633 which is located in the sixth transmembrane domain of the TSH receptor. The absence of the mutation in all other family members identifies the patient's TSHR mutation as a sporadic germline mutation. In this patient, thyroid tissue growth and hyperthyroidism could repeatedly be controlled only for limited periods by near total thyroidectomy. Therefore, this case confirms that early combined treatment with near-total thyroidectomy plus radioiodine therapy seems to be the treatment of choice for patients with sporadic non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism.

The status of vitamin D in our country is worrisome, and it is largely underestimated. The defining of a vitamin D sufficiency levels may help the devising of adequate strategies for prevention and treatment in clinical practice.

Smoking and higher education in the males and obesity in the females were factors for vitamin D deficiency among Bulgarian urban population.

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