Abstract BACKGROUND: Psoriasis and obesity are somewhat related to a low-grade systemic inflammatory response. OBJECTIVES: To determine leptin and adiponectin levels in psoriasis patients compared to control patients matched for weight. METHODS: A case-control study was performed, evaluating 113 psoriasis patients and 41 controls with other dermatologic diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 33% in cases and 21.9% in controls. All evaluated comorbidities were more prevalent among cases. When stratified by weight, the comorbidities were more frequent in overweight patients. We found no correlation between being overweight (p=0.25), leptin (p=0.18) or adiponectin (p=0.762) levels and psoriasis severity. When overweight cases and controls were compared, we found differences in the adiponectin values (p= 0.04). The overweight cases had lower adiponectin levels than the overweight controls. We found no differences in the leptin dosage between cases and controls. The overweight cases had higher leptin values than the normal weight cases (p<0.001). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Several patients used systemic anti-inflammatory medication. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity among psoriasis cases (33%) was higher than in the general population (17.4%). We did not find any correlation between severity of psoriasis and inflammatory cytokines and the condition of being overweight. The overweight cases had lower values of adiponectin than the overweight controls. It seems, therefore, that there is a relationship between adiponectin and psoriasis, but this relationship depends on the presence of obesity.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar criticamente artigos referentes à relação entre a circunferência do pescoço (CP) de adolescentes e: índice de massa corporal, distribuição de gordura, síndrome metabólica e seus componentes individuais e risco cardiovascular. Método: Revisão sistemática realizada por dois pesquisadores independentes nas bases de dados Pubmed/Medline, Lilacs/Medline, Scielo e Cochrane nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português nos últimos 5 anos. Resultados: Foram selecionados 18 artigos. Os artigos demonstram a associação entre CP de adolescentes e gordura corporal (IMC), distribuição central gordura (CC), síndrome metabólica e vários de seus componentes individuais, e risco cardiovascular. Existem propostas de pontos de corte da CP para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional, hipertensão e pré-hipertensão, risco cardiovascular, resistência insulínica e síndrome metabólica. Foi identificada ainda uma curva de percentis construída para adolescentes brasileiros. Conclusão: Há escassez de estudos com amostras representativas, variedade nos locais de medição da CP e na idade dos participantes, o que dificulta estabelecimento de referências definitivas.

Summary Objective: To critically analyze articles on the relation between neck circumference (NC) in adolescents and: body mass index, fat distribution, metabolic syndrome and its individual components, and cardiovascular risk. Method: Systematic review undertaken by two independent researchers using the Pubmed/Medline, Lilacs/Medline, Scielo and Cochrane databases in English, Spanish and Portuguese in the period comprising the past 5 years. Results: Eighteen (18) articles were selected. The articles show an association between NC in adolescents and body fat (BMI), central fat distribution (WC), metabolic syndrome and several of its individual components, and cardiovascular risk. Some values are proposed for NC cutoff points as a diagnostic tool for nutritional status, high blood pressure and pre-hypertension, cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. We identified a percentile curve constructed for Brazilian adolescents. Conclusion: There is a shortage of studies with representative samples, variety at the NC measurement sites, and the age of the participants, which makes it difficult to establish definitive landmarks.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered a chronic low-grade inflammatory disease that shares mediators of inflammation with psoriasis, such as TNF-α and IL-6. The relationship between these two conditions involves factors such as predisposition and response to therapy, in addition to an association with cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of adiposity as determined by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) evaluation in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: BMI, WC and body composition by DXA were measured in 42 psoriatic patients without joint complaints and in 41 control patients using standard procedures. In the comparison between cases and controls, we used Pearson’s Χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. The difference between the diverse classification methods for obesity was evaluated using McNemar’s test. To test the level of agreement between those variables, we used the weighted kappa coefficient. RESULTS: There was no difference in the prevalence of obesity among cases and controls. Both BMI and WC had low agreement with measures of body fat evaluated by DXA. With the use of DXA scanning, prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients with psoriasis was 83.3%, which constitutes a strong evidence of the need for intervention on this metabolic parameter. CONCLUSION: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was more capable of identifying obesity compared with BMI and WC both in psoriatic and control patients.

Fraturas osteoporóticas impõem graves entraves físicos, psicossociais e financeiros, tanto para o paciente quanto para a sociedade. Estudos sobre a prevalência de osteoporose e fraturas por fragilidade no Brasil mostram uma grande variação, em decorrência das diferenças no tamanho das amostras, da população estudada e da metodologia empregada. Poucos estudos têm sido realizados no Brasil sobre a análise de custo-efetividade das diferentes opções de intervenção que visam ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento da osteoporose. Estratégias de investigação e de tratamento com base na relação custo-eficácia e evidências científicas são essenciais para a elaboração de políticas de saúde pública, com o objetivo final de reduzir a incidência de fraturas e, consequentemente, os custos diretos e indiretos associados a elas. Este artigo faz uma revisão sobre o ônus da osteoporose no Brasil em termos de prevalência e fraturas atribuíveis à doença, de custos relacionados com a investigação, tratamento da osteoporose, bem como seu impacto na população como um todo e em indivíduos afetados.

Osteoporotic fractures impose severe physical, psychosocial, and financial burden both to the patient and the society. Studies on the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in Brazil show a wide variation, due to differences in sample size, the population studied, and methodologies. Few studies have been conducted in Brazil about the cost-effectiveness analyses of different intervention options aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Investigation and treatment strategies based on cost-effectiveness and scientific evidence are essential in the preparation of public health policies with the ultimate goal of reducing the incidence of fractures and, consequently, the direct and indirect costs associated with them. This article reviews the Brazilian burden of osteoporosis in terms of the prevalence and fractures attributable to the disease, the costs related to the investigation and management, as well as the impact of osteoporosis on the population as a whole and on affected individuals.

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores associados a alterações do teste oral de tolerância à glicose (TOTG), independentemente da glicemia de jejum (GJ). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: 377 pacientes (53,8 ± 15,2 anos; 77,7% mulheres e IMC = 31,4 ± 5,9 kg/m²), sem história de diabetes melito (DM), foram submetidos ao TOTG e comparados de acordo com o resultado: normal (NGT), intolerantes (IGT) e DM. RESULTADOS: 202 pacientes (53,6%) apresentaram TOTG alterado, sendo identificados 69 com DM (18,3%) e 133 com IGT (35,3%). Na análise multivariada, os fatores, além da GJ, que se associaram (P < 0,05) ao TOTG alterado foram: idade (DM = 58,7 ± 12,9; IGT = 56,7 ± 14,3; NGT = 49,6 ± 15,6 anos), hipertensão arterial (DM = 69,6%; IGT = 63,9%; NGT = 43,4%), GJ (DM = 111,9 ± 9,2; IGT = 103,5 ± 10,3; NGT = 96,6 ± 11,1 mg/dL), HbA1C (DM = 6,1 ± 0,7%; IGT = 6,1 ± 0,5%; NGT = 5,8 ± 0,4%), triglicérides (DM = 179,3 ± 169,9; IGT = 154,2 ± 84,1; NGT = 129,1 ± 71,9 mg/dL), HDL-c (DM = 44,7 ± 9,2; IGT = 47,5 ± 12,3; NGT = 50,6 ± 13,4 mg/dL) e ácido úrico em mulheres (DM = 5,3 ± 1,5; IGT = 5,3 ± 1,3; NGT = 4,7 ± 1,3 mg/dL). CONCLUSÃO: Idade, hipertensão arterial, níveis elevados de triglicérides, de HbA1C e de ácido úrico (em mulheres) e baixos níveis de HDL-c se associam a alterações do TOTG em pacientes com sobrepeso/obesidade, independentemente da GJ.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with changes in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), regardless of fasting glucose (FG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 377 patients (53.8 ± 15.2 years, 77.7% women and BMI = 31.4 ± 5.9 kg/m²) with no history of diabetes mellitus(DM), underwent OGTT and compared according to the results: normal (NGT), impaired (IGT) and DM. RESULTS: 202 patients (53.6%) had altered glucose tolerance: 69 with DM (18.3%) and 133 with IGT (35.3%). In multivariate analysis, factors regardless of FG that were associated (P < 0.05) with changes in the OGTT were age (DM = 58.7 ± 12.9; IGT = 56.7 ± 14.3; NGT = 49.6 ± 15.6 years), hypertension (DM = 69.6%; IGT = 63.9%; NGT = 43.4%), FG (DM = 111.9 ± 9.2; IGT = 103.5 ± 10.3; NGT = 96.6 ± 11.1 mg/dL), HbA1C (DM = 6.1 ± 0.7%; IGT = 6.1 ± 0.5%; NGT = 5.8 ± 0.4%), triglycerides (DM = 179.3 ± 169.9; IGT = 154.2 ± 84.1; NGT = 129.1 ± 71.9 mg/dL), HDL-c (DM =44.7 ± 9.2; IGT = 47.5 ± 12.3; NGT = 50.6 ± 13.4 mg/dL) and uric acid in women (DM = 5.3 ± 1.5; IGT = 5.3 ± 1.3; NGT = 4.7 ± 1.3 mg/dL). CONCLUSION: Age, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, HbA1C, uric acid (in women) and low HDL-C are associated with changes in the OGTT patients with overweight / obesity, irrespective of FG.

Após a transcrição genética e antes da tradução do mRNA, ocorre o splicing do RNA, que consiste em um processo essencial, precisamente regulado, por meio do qual podem ocorrer excisões de íntrons e retenções de éxons. A variabilidade dos padrões de splicing é a principal fonte de diversidade de proteínas geradas por um pequeno número de genes. Alterações na escolha do sítio de splicing podem determinar efeitos diferentes nas proteínas codificadas. Pequenas alterações na sequência peptídica podem alterar o seu sítio de ligação de substratos, sua atividade enzimática, a regulação alostérica ou a localização proteica. Erros na regulação do splicing têm sido implicados em grande número de doenças. Nessa revisão, foram descritos os mecanismos de splicing enfatizando sua importância em algumas condições fisiológicas e patológicas envolvendo a tireoide.

RNA splicing is an essential, precisely regulated process that occurs after gene transcription and before mRNA translation, in which introns may be removed and exons, retained. Variability in splicing patterns is a major source of protein diversity from the genome and function to generate a tremendously diverse proteome from a relatively small number of genes. Changes in splice site choice can determine different effects on the encoded protein. Small changes in peptide sequence can alter ligand binding, enzymatic activity, allosteric regulation, or protein localization. Errors in splicing regulation have been implicated in a number of different disease states. This study reviewed the mechanisms of splicing and their repercussion in endocrinology, emphasizing its importance in some thyroid physiological and pathological conditions.

INTRODUÇÃO: Pesquisa de corpo inteiro após dose terapêutica de (131I) NaI (PCI) associada à tireoglobulina (Tg) sérica, anticorpo antitireoglobulina (anti-Tg) e ultrassom (US) cervical representam os métodos de referência para detecção de carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide (CDT) residual ou metastático. Algumas causas de PCI falsos-positivas, como processos inflamatórios, alguns tumores não tireoidianos e até mesmo cistos renais e sebáceos, são bem conhecidas. MÉTODOS: Neste trabalho, descreveu-se um caso de cisto hepático benigno simulando metástase de carcinoma de tireoide em PCI após dose terapêutica de (131I) NaI. RESULTADOS: Ressalta-se a importância do reconhecimento dos cistos hepáticos benignos como fator complicador do seguimento dos pacientes com câncer de tireoide. CONCLUSÕES: Para minimizar erros de diagnóstico e, consequentemente, na condução dos casos de CDT, é necessário conhecer as possíveis causas de PCI falsos-negativas e positivas.

INTRODUCTION: The follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) for detecting persistent or recurrent disease is based on iodine whole body scan (WBS), the evaluation of the tumor marker thyroglobulin (Tg), the anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg) and neck ultrasonography (US). Well known false-positive causes of WBS include inflammatory processes, some non-thyroid tumors, kidney or even sebaceous cysts . METHODS: We reported a case of false-positive WBS, after therapeutic dose of (131I) NaI. RESULTS: We enphasize the importance of recognizing benign liver cysts mimicking DTC metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: False-positive and negative results may occur with WBS and must be recognized to avoid mismanagement.

A deficiência de vitamina D (VD) leva ao raquitismo e à osteomalacia e sua insuficiência, caracterizada pelo hiperparatireoidismo secundário, pode resultar osteoporose. Apesar de amplamente prevalente, a insuficiência de VD ainda é pouco reconhecida e subtratada. Os autores estudaram 180 pacientes atendidos em ambulatório de endocrinologia em Belo Horizonte, que tiveram os níveis de 25(OH)VD mensurados, correlacionando-os com paratormônio (PTH), marcadores de remodelação óssea e densidade mineral óssea. Para caracterização de níveis insuficientes de VD, foram correlacionados os níveis de 25(OH)VD com os de PTH, definindo-se, nesta série, ponto de corte de 25(OH)VD de 32 ng/ml. Foi encontrada correlação inversa e significativa entre 25(OH)VD e PTH e entre 25(OH)VD e C-telopeptídeo. A prevalência de insuficiência de VD na população estudada foi de 42,4%. Conclui-se que a insuficiência de VD tem alta prevalência entre pacientes que freqüentam nossos consultórios, alertando para a importância da sua investigação na prática clínica e na instituição de políticas para sua prevenção.

Consequences of VD deficiency include rickets and osteomalacia. However, marginal concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. In this context, levels of 25(OH)VD capable to elevate parathyroid hormone (PTH) could be considered as insufficient. The VD insufficiency, although widely prevalent, is still under-recognized and under-treated. The authors have studied 180 patients followed in a endocrinology clinic in Belo Horizonte, who had 25(OH)VD measured, correlating it with PTH, biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. To determine the sufficiency of VD, 25(OH)VD was correlated with PTH and the cutoff found was of 32ng/ml. CTX-1 and PTH were significantly negative correlated to 25(OH)VD and the prevalence of VD insufficiency was 42%. One concludes that the VD insufficiency is widely prevalent among patients who frequently come to our offices, alerting us for the importance to assess VD status more often and to practice politics for prevention of VD insufficiency.