Elevated insulin resistance, oxidative stress and plasma homocysteine levels and changes in serum lipid profile (risk factors for cardiovascular disease) were observed in lean PCOS patients. Rosiglitazone seemed to decrease elevated oxidative stress when compared with metformin treatment in lean PCOS patients.

BackgroundGraves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune condition, which is associated with poor clinical outcomes including impaired quality of life and socio-economic status. Current evidence suggests that the incidence of GO in Europe may be declining, however data on the prevalence of this disease are sparse. Several clinical variants of GO exist, including euthyroid GO, recently listed as a rare disease in Europe (ORPHA466682).The objective was to estimate the prevalence of GO and its clinical variants in Europe, based on available literature, and to consider whether they may potentially qualify as rare. Recent published data on the incidence of GO and Graves’ hyperthyroidism in Europe were used to estimate the prevalence of GO. The position statement was developed by a series of reviews of drafts and electronic discussions by members of the European Group on Graves’ Orbitopathy. The prevalence of GO in Europe is about 10/10,000 persons. The prevalence of other clinical variants is also low: hypothyroid GO 0.02–1.10/10,000; GO associated with dermopathy 0.15/10,000; GO associated with acropachy 0.03/10,000; asymmetrical GO 1.00–5.00/10,000; unilateral GO 0.50–1.50/10,000.ConclusionGO has a prevalence that is clearly above the threshold for rarity in Europe. However, each of its clinical variants have a low prevalence and could potentially qualify for being considered as a rare condition, providing that future research establishes that they have a distinct pathophysiology. EUGOGO considers this area of academic activity a priority.

These findings suggest that the clinical manifestations of patients with GO may be changing over time in Europe.

Our data show that both metformin and rosiglitazone improve ovarian function and hirsutism in patients with PCOS. Rosiglitazone appears better than metformin in the treatment of hirsutism and has better patient tolerance.

Adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been implicated in insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study we investigated levels of adiponectin and TNF-alpha and their relationships with each other and metabolic factors in women with gestational DM (GDM). Thirty-four pregnant women with GDM and 31 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were included in the study. Plasma adiponectin levels were lower in GDM than in NGT (36.9 +/- 6.7 vs. 61.3 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, p = 0.028). Serum TNF-alpha levels were increased in GDM compared with NGT (20.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 14.0 +/- 1.5 pg/ml, p = 0.042). After adjustment for pre-pregnancy and current body mass index (BMI), adiponectin levels correlated negatively with insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and 0-h and 1-h glucose both at glucose challenge test and oral glucose tolerance test in GDM. Adiponectin levels were correlated only with very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in NGT. TNF-alpha levels were correlated with glycated hemoglobin in GDM. There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha levels and pre-pregnancy and current BMI in GDM as well as NGT. HOMA-IR for adiponectin and pre-pregnancy BMI for TNF-alpha remained as significant determinants in multiple regression analyses. In conclusion, these data suggest that reduced adiponectin and increased TNF-alpha may be involved in the pathogenesis of GDM.

In patients without GO at diagnosis, 15% will develop GO (13% mild, 2% moderate to severe) during subsequent treatment with ATD for 18 months. A predictive score called PREDIGO composed of four baseline determinants was better in predicting those patients who will not develop obvious GO than who will.

Increased levels of small, dense LDL are common in Mediterranean women with gestational diabetes. Whether these findings affect the atherogenic process and clinical end-points in these women remains to be determined by future prospective studies.

Our data showed that both metformin and rosiglitazone increased insulin sensitivity in obese patients with PCOS as expected, and in lean patients as well. Rosiglitazone seemed to be more effective in decreasing the androgen levels and in achieving slightly greater improvement in menstrual disturbance than metformin.