Diabetes and hepatitis C infection are both prevalent diseases worldwide, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Most studies, but not all, have shown that patients with chronic hepatitis C are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to healthy controls, as well as when compared to patients with other liver diseases, including hepatitis B. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have revealed that patients with T2D may also be at higher risk for worse outcomes of their hepatitis C infection, including reduced rate of sustained virological response, progression to fibrosis and cirrhosis, and higher risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, hepatitis C infection and mainly its treatment, interferon α, can trigger the development of type 1 diabetes. In this review, we discuss the existing data on this two-way association between diabetes and hepatitis C infection with emphasis on possible mechanisms. It remains to be determined whether the new curative therapies for chronic hepatitis C will improve outcomes in diabetic hepatitis C patients, and conversely whether treatment with Metformin will reduce complications from hepatitis C virus infection. We propose an algorithm for diabetes screening and follow-up in hepatitis C patients.

This review focuses on studies that have examined the use of mobile phone text messaging, smartphone/web-based apps, and telehealth programs to help prevent or delay the onset of incident type 2 diabetes. While there is variability in the results of studies focused on technology-assisted DPP and weight loss interventions, there is evidence to suggest that these programs have been associated with clinically meaningful weight loss and can be cost-effective. Patients who are at risk for diabetes can be offered technology-assisted DPP and weight loss interventions to lower their risk of incident diabetes. Further research should determine what specific combination of intervention features would be most successful.

Calcium sulfate beads are used to fill bone voids in bone loss and nonunion, as well as in the management of bone and joint infections.1 Specifically, Stimulan® is an absorbed form of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate beads which delivers high local antibiotic concentrations for treatment of infection, but has also been associated with hypercalcemia in 5.4% of cases.1 Despite the significant morbidity associated with hypercalcemia, there is little published literature describing this important complication. In our institution, five patients hospitalized between March 2019 and September 2019 with normal baseline calcium levels developed hypercalcemia as a complication of Stimulan® placement. Typically, 10 to 60 cc of Stimulan® were inserted in each surgery, with the exception of 120cc in one surgery. Three patients required a second surgery with antibiotic bead placement, and hypercalcemia occurred with both initial and subsequent surgeries. The onset of hypercalcemia varied from post-operative day one to four. The peak corrected calcium was 10.7-16.1 mg/dL which corresponded to ionized calcium of 1.57 to >2.20 mmol/L (normal 1.09-1.29 mmol/L). The patient with the highest bead volume had the highest calcium. Calcium peaked on post-operative days three to five. Patients were treated with intravenous fluids, furosemide, calcitonin and anti-resorptives including denosumab and zoledronic acid. Four patients required hemodialysis. Three patients required dialysis for symptomatic hypercalcemia and in one patient the indication was multifactorial. Calcium typically normalized by post-operative day 14 to 21, but hypercalcemia duration was unknown in two patients (one died; one had hypercalcemia on hospital discharge). As illustrated in our cases, patients who develop hypercalcemia after their initial antibiotic bead placement may be at risk for recurrent hypercalcemia if additional surgeries use antibiotic beads. Higher bead volume may be associated with more significant hypercalcemia.1 Although previous cases have reported milder hypercalcemia, our cases demonstrate that hypercalcemia can be more severe and prolonged, necessitating dialysis in addition to traditional therapies. 1-3 References: 1.Kallala R, Harris WE, Ibrahim M, Dipane M, McPherson E. Use of Stimulan absorbable calcium sulphate beads in revision lower limb arthroplasty: Safety profile and complication rates. Bone Joint Res. 2018 Nov 3;7(10):570-579. 2.Kallala R, Haddad FS. Hypercalcaemia following the use of antibiotic-eluting absorbable calcium sulphate beads in revision arthroplasty for infection. Bone Joint J. 2015 Sep;97-B(9):1237-41. 3.Carlson Jr. CR, Markulis E, Thompson E, Havill J. A novel case of hypercalcemia following the use of calcium sulfate beads. Nephrol Open J. 2015; 1(1): 17-19.

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Background: Spontaneous bilateral adrenal hemorrhage (BAH) is a rare complication of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which is the most common identifiable risk factor for BAH. Although adrenal dysfunction is generally irreversible, adrenal function might be preserved or even recover in rare cases1. Clinical case: A 48 year-old man with history of hypertension and gout presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain following trauma to his left leg. He was found to have a left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli (PE) and was started on anticoagulation therapy. He continued to have abdominal pain and a CT abdomen revealed BAH. Three am cortisol level was 21 mcg/dL (8–25 mcg/dL), ACTH 37 pg/mL (6–59 pg/mL), aldosterone <3 ng/dL (4–31 ng/dL), renin 2.6 ng/mL/hr (0.2–1.6 ng/mL/hr), sodium 130 mmol/L (135–146 mmol/L) and potassium 4.3 mmol/L (3.6–5.3 mmol/L). Patient was hemodynamically stable and did not report symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Hypercoagulable work-up was consistent with APS and Lupus. Despite normal cortisol levels, he was started on hydrocortisone in the setting of anticoagulation and recent hemorrhage. Given low aldosterone with slightly high renin he was also started on fludrocortisone. Six weeks after discharge, his morning cortisol was 6 mcg/dL and ACTH was elevated at 76 pg/mL which was concerning for adrenal insufficiency. However, 250 mcg IM ACTH stimulation test showed peak cortisol of 17 mcg/dL which is considered adequate. Aldosterone and renin levels normalized so fludrocortisone was discontinued. Patient subsequently self-discontinued all medications for 1 month with no symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, and later restarted hydrocortisone on his own. Repeat ACTH stimulation test showed baseline ACTH 57 pg/mL with peak cortisol of 17 mcg/dL. Patient was tapered off hydrocortisone and displayed no subsequent symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Conclusion: This case highlights the need to consider APS in patients with spontaneous BAH. Additionally, patients with BAH may have relatively preserved adrenal function. There is limited data to guide when steroid replacement is necessary for patients without clear adrenal insufficiency. It may be reasonable to monitor these patients off hydrocortisone replacement with close monitoring. 1. Ramon I, Mathian A, Bachelot A, et al. Primary adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage-adrenal infarction in the antiphospholipid syndrome: long-term outcome of 16 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(8):3179–3189.