Metabolic syndrome is defined as a group of coexisting metabolic risk factors, such as central obesity, lipid disorders, carbohydrate disorders, and arterial hypertension. According to the 2005 IDF criteria, subsequently revised in 2009, abdominal obesity is identified as the waist circumference of ≥80 cm in women and ≥94 cm in men. It is responsible for the development of insulin resistance. The aim of our study was to demonstrate a correlation between waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with metabolic syndrome in relation with hypertension, lipid disorders, and carbohydrate disorders. A cross-sectional two-site study was conducted in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship for 24 months. The study group consisted of 839 patients with diagnosed metabolic syndrome: 345 men (41.1%) and 494 women (58.9%) aged 32–80. In the study group, WC was found to be significantly correlated with BMI (R = 0.78, P < 0.01). The presence of overweight in men (BMI 25, 84 kg/m2) and even normal body weight in women (BMI 21,62 kg/m2) corresponds to an increased volume of visceral tissue in the abdomen. Introduction of primary prophylaxis in those people to limit the development of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases should be considered.

Insulin resistance is defined as a glucose homeostasis disorder involving a decreased sensitivity of muscles, adipose tissue, liver and other body tissues to insulin, despite its normal or increased concentration in blood. Insulin resistance may be asymptomatic or occur presenting a variety of disorders, such as: glucose tolerance impairment, type 2 diabetes, as well as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, obesity, and arterial hypertension. Insulin acts via specific receptors present on the surface of most cells of the body. The greatest number of these receptors is found on adipocytes, hepatocytes and striated muscle cells. There are three mechanisms of insulin resistance: pre-receptor, receptor and post-receptor. Multiple methods of assessing insulin resistance are based on the concurrent measurements of glucose and insulin levels in blood serum. The glucose and insulin measurements are conducted in baseline conditions or after intravenous administration of a specific quantity of glucose or insulin. The methods of assessing insulin resistance are divided into direct and indirect. The current 'gold standard' in the assessment of insulin sensitivity is the determination of tissue glucose utilisation using the metabolic clamp technique. The presence of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism has been demonstrated in thyroid disease involving either overt hyperthyroidism or overt hypothyroidism. The severity of the disease is proportional to the severity of these disorders. The possible influence of subclinical forms of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on carbohydrate disorders is still under discussion. Thyroid hormones have a significant effect on glucose metabolism and the development of insulin resistance. In hyperthyroidism, impaired glucose tolerance may be the result of mainly hepatic insulin resistance, whereas in hypothyroidism the available data suggests that the insulin resistance of peripheral tissues prevails. StreszczenieInsulinooporność definiuje się jako zaburzenie homeostazy glukozy polegające na zmniejszonej wrażliwości mięśni, tkanki tłuszczowej, wątroby oraz innych tkanek na insulinę pomimo jej prawidłowego lub podwyższonego stężenia we krwi. Insulinooporność może przebiegać bezobjawowo lub towarzyszyć różnorodnym chorobom i zaburzeniom, takim jak upośledzona tolerancja glukozy, cukrzyca typu 2, hipercholesterolemia, hipertriglicerydemia, otyłość i nadciśnienie tętnicze. Insulina działa za pośrednictwem swoistych receptorów obecnych na powierzchni większości komórek organizmu. Najwięcej tych receptorów stwierdza się na komórkach tłuszczowych, hepatocytach i komórkach mięśni poprzecznie prążkowanych. Wyróżnia się trzy rodzaje insulinooporności: przedreceptorową, receptorową i poreceptorową. Metody rozpoznawania insulinooporności oparte są na jednoczesnym oznaczaniu stężenia glukozy i insuliny w surowicy krwi. Pomiary stężenia glukozy i insuliny wykonywane są albo w warunkach podstawowych, albo po dożylnym podaniu określonej ilości glukozy lub insuliny. Metody oceny insulin...

ObjectiveTo assess the usefulness of in-hospital measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in comparison to well-established risk factors as a marker of post-infarct left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) at discharge.Materials and methodsTwo hundred and four consecutive patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were prospectively enrolled into the study. CRP plasma concentrations were measured before reperfusion, 24 h after admission and at discharge with an ultra-sensitive latex immunoassay.ResultsCRP concentration increased significantly during the first 24 h of hospitalization (2.4 ± 1.9 vs. 15.7 ± 17.0 mg/L; p < 0.001) and persisted elevated at discharge (14.7 ± 14.7 mg/L), mainly in 57 patients with LVSD (2.4 ± 1.8 vs. 25.0 ± 23.4 mg/L; p < 0.001; CRP at discharge 21.9 ± 18.6 mg/L). The prevalence of LVSD was significantly increased across increasing tertiles of CRP concentration both at 24 h after admission (13.2 vs. 19.1 vs. 51.5 %; p < 0.0001) and at discharge (14.7 vs. 23.5 vs. 45.6 %; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated CRP concentration at discharge to be an independent marker of early LVSD (odds ratio of 1.38 for a 10 mg/L increase, 95 % confidence interval 1.01–1.87; p < 0.04).ConclusionMeasurement of CRP plasma concentration at discharge may be useful as a marker of early LVSD in patients after a first STEMI.

BackgroundAlthough European guidelines advise oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before or shortly after hospital discharge, data supporting this recommendation are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze whether disturbances in glucose metabolism diagnosed before hospital discharge in AMI patients represents a latent pre-existing condition or rather temporary finding. Additionally, we planned to investigate the value of pre-selected glycemic control parameters as predictors of long-term glucometabolic state.MethodsWe assessed admission glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, mean blood glucose concentration on days 1 and 2 in 200 patients with a first AMI but without overt disturbances of glucose metabolism. We also performed OGTT at discharge and 3 months after discharge.ResultsThe prevalence of disturbances in glucose metabolism (as assessed by OGTT) at 3 months was significantly lower than at discharge (29% vs. 48%, p = 0.0001). Disturbances in glucose metabolism were not confirmed in 63% of patients with impaired glucose tolerance and in 36% of patients with diabetes mellitus diagnosed during the acute phase of AMI. Age >77 years, glucose ≥12.06 mmol/l at 120 minutes during OGTT before discharge and mean blood glucose level on day 2 >7.5 mmol/l were identified as independent predictors of disturbances in glucose metabolism at the 3-month follow-up.ConclusionsDisturbances in glucose metabolism observed in patients with a first AMI are predominantly transient. Elderly age, high plasma glucose concentration at 120 minutes during OGTT at discharge and elevated mean blood glucose level on day 2 were associated with sustained disturbances in glucose metabolism.

Carbohydrate metabolism disorder in patients hospitalized due to acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome. The association is even stronger in non-diabetic patients compared to the diabetics. Poor outcome of patients with elevated parameters of carbohydrate metabolism may be associated with negative impact of these disorders on left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of admission glycemia on LV systolic function in acute phase and 6 months after myocardial infarction in STEMI patients treated with primary angioplasty, without carbohydrate disorders. The study group consisted of 52 patients (9 female, 43 male) aged 35-74 years, admitted to the Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, due to the first STEMI treated with primary coronary angioplasty with stent implantation, without diabetes in anamnesis and carbohydrate metabolism disorders diagnosed during hospitalization. Echocardiography was performed in all patients in acute phase and 6 months after MI. Plasma glucose were measured at hospital admission. In the subgroup with glycemia ≥7.1 mmol/l, in comparison to patients with glycemia <7.1 mmol/l, significantly lower ejection fraction (EF) was observed in acute phase of MI (44.4 ± 5.4 vs. 47.8 ± 6.3 %, p = 0.04) and trend to lower EF 6 months after MI [47.2 ± 6.5 vs. 50.3 ± 6.3 %, p = 0.08 (ns)]. Higher admission glycemia in patients with STEMI and without carbohydrate metabolism disturbances, may be a marker of poorer prognosis resulting from lower LV ejection fraction in the acute phase and in the long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome predicts the development of CVD. Lipid abnormalities probably have an important influence on the increase of cardiovascular death risk. The SCORE chart includes only total cholesterol level, which may be inadequate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the lipid profile in patients with metabolic syndrome according to the cardiovascular risk calculated on the basis of the SCORE chart. Material and methods: The study participants comprised 974 patients with metabolic syndrome. The 10-year death risk of cardiovascular disease was calculated on the basis of SCORE chart in all patients. The study group was divided in three subgroups depending on the risk level calculated by SCORE scale. Results: There was a significantly higher level of LDL-C fraction in the subgroup of very high CV risk in comparison to the group of medium and high CV risk. The level of non-HDL-C was also significantly higher in the group with SCORE ≥ 10 compared to the remaining subgroups of medium and high CV risk. Conclusions. Increased CV risk in this group of patients may be associated not only with higher TC level, but also the other lipid fractions. The assessment of the CV risk on the basis of the SCORE chart, which includes only TC level, may be inadequate. A modification of the SCORE chart for the European population should be considered (inclusion of LDL-C level, or in selected cases non-HDL-C level instead of TC level). (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 265-270)

SummaryBackgroundCongenital vascular malformations are tumour-like, non-neoplastic lesions caused by disorders of vascular tissue morphogenesis. They are characterised by a normal cell replacement cycle throughout all growth phases and do not undergo spontaneous involution.Here we present a scintigraphic image of familial congenital vascular malformations in two sisters.Material/MethodsA 17-years-old young woman with a history of multiple hospitalisations for foci of vascular anomalies appearing progressively in the upper and lower right limbs, chest wall and spleen. A Parkes Weber syndrome was diagnosed based on the clinical picture. Due to the occurrence of new foci of malformations, a whole-body scintigraphic examination was performed.A 12-years-old girl reported a lump in the right lower limb present for approximately 2 years, which was clinically identified as a vascular lesion in the area of calcaneus and talus. Phleboscintigraphy visualized normal radiomarker outflow from the feet via the deep venous system, also observed in the superficial venous system once the tourniquets were released. In static and whole-body examinations vascular malformations were visualised in the area of the medial cuneiform, navicular and talus bones of the left foot, as well as in the projection of right calcaneus and above the right talocrural joint.ConclusionsPeople with undiagnosed disorders related to the presence of vascular malformations should undergo periodic follow-up to identify lesions that may be the cause of potentially serious complications and to assess the results of treatment. Presented scintigraphic methods may be used for both diagnosing and monitoring of disease progression.

Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) originate from diffuse endocrine system (DES). Over 50% of diagnosed neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are carcinoid tumors, secreting mainly serotonine. The incidence of carcinoids in general population is estimated to be 2.9 cases/100000 inhabitants/year. In our study we aimed at analyzing retrospectively patients with diagnosed carcinoid tumors, hospitalized between the years 2001 and 2012 in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz. The study group consists of 39 patients (20 women and 19 men) aged between 36 and 70, with diagnosed carcinoid. All patients have determined chromogranin A concentration 99m Tc-Depreotide. Rozpoznanie rakowiaka jest często problematyczne z powodu jego powolnego wzrostu oraz mało charakterystycznych objawów klinicznych. Nie rzadko również nie można określić pierwotnej lokalizacji guza. Analogi somatostatyny mogą być pomocne w kontrolowaniu objawów ubocznych rakowiaka.