The combination of an ENG implant with TU injections is a well-tolerated male hormonal method, providing effective and reversible suppression of spermatogenesis. Although the results are good, there is still room for improvement, possibly by adjusting the dose regimen or changing the mode of application.
Myxoedema coma is a rare and life-threatening illness the outcome of which has not been robustly studied in large numbers, partly due to its low incidence. Dutta and colleagues have explored outcome predictors in a developing country where access to thyroid function tests is more limited than in the Western world. Cardiovascular instability, reduced consciousness, persistent hypothermia, and sepsis all contributed to a poorer outcome, as has been demonstrated before, but a generic outcome predictor model was shown to be useful in this group of patients. Unfortunately, this observational study was unable to show differences in outcome based on replacement treatment methods and the mortality remains at 40%.
Improved clinical care has led to a dramatic increase in life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). As they live longer, people with CF are therefore developing secondary complications. Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is the commonest extrapulmonary complication of CF. Insulin deficiency is the primary defect in CFRD, but insulin resistance and impairment of the enteroinsular axis play contributory roles. CFRD affects 9% of people with CF aged 5 to 9 years, 26% aged 10 to 20 years, and up to 50% by the age of 30. The presence of CFRD is associated with accelerated decline in pulmonary function, poorer growth and nutritional status, and increased mortality. The need for early detection of abnormal glucose handling in CF is clear since it is linked with clinical decline. Patients with CFRD may be asymptomatic for many years, so it is recommended that screening be commenced at 10 years of age. Although oral glucose tolerance test is recommended, it is well recognized that early glucose handling abnormalities will not be detected and the chance to intervene early may be missed. Many centers are therefore using continuous glucose monitoring to refine the diagnosis and investigate real-life glycemic control. Future research will hopefully widen our understanding of the pathophysiology of CFRD and therefore the treatment options available. There are clearly some promising results suggesting the use of oral agents may prove beneficial in treating CFRD but insulin should remain the mainstay of treatment until these are further evaluated.
Despite team engagement we have found it challenging to increase the number of medical patients discharged over the weekend. This may be due to the significant numbers of patients having complex social and care needs and requires further exploration. ■
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