Rifat Emral

Bio: Rifat Emral is an academic researcher from Ankara University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diabetes mellitus & Type 2 diabetes. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 55 publications receiving 792 citations.

Prevalence of Subclinical Cushing's Syndrome in 70 Patients with Adrenal Incidentaloma: Clinical, Biochemical and Surgical Outcomes

Abstract: Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) is being detected with increased frequency in patients with adrenal incidentaloma. In the current study, we evaluated the prevalence of SCS in 70 patients with adrenal incidentaloma and compared the main findings on them with other patients with nonfunctional adrenal incidentaloma (NFA). Overnight 3 mg dexamethasone (DXM) suppression test to exclude cortisol hypersecretion, and high dose DXM suppression test to find out patients with SCS, were applied to all subjects. Afterwards, biochemical and clinical findings of patients with SCS were compared with the other patients with NFA. Four of the 70 patients with adrenal incidentaloma were found to have SCS, with a prevalence of 5.7%. Basal ACTH and DHEA-S levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), and midnight cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with SCS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Biochemical and metabolic bone parameters were similar in patients with SCS and in patients with NFA. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were more common in patients with SCS. One of the patients with SCS developed adrenocortical insufficiency following unilateral adrenalectomy which lasted for about 6 months. Suppressed ACTH and DHEA-S levels, and high midnight cortisol levels may be some clues for SCS in patients with adrenal incidentaloma. Since patients with SCS frequently have risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and the surgical management of SCS with adrenalectomy may offer an advantage. Patients undergoing adrenalectomy should be followed for the development of adrenal insufficiency.

Iodine status and goiter prevalence in Turkey before mandatory iodization.

Abstract: Endemic goiter is an important public health problem in Turkey. Legislation for mandatory iodization of household salt was passed in July 1999. Current study is aimed at ascertaining the goiter prevalence and iodine nutrition in school-age children (SAC) living in known endemic areas of Turkey. Sonographic thyroid volumes (STV) and urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) of 5,948 SAC from 20 cities were measured between 1997–1999. STV of 31.8% of the SAC examined stayed above the upper-normal limits for the same age and gender recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Goiter prevalence ranged between 5 to 56% and median UIC ranged between 14 to 78 μg/l, indicating severe to moderate iodine deficiency (ID) in 14 and mild ID in 6 of the cities surveyed. Neither of the cities was found to have sufficient median UIC levels. The current study shows that endemic goiter is an important public health problem and iodine nutrition is inadequate nationwide. It also provides reliable scientific evidence and shows the need for a controlled and effective iodine supplementation program nationwide. Mandatory iodization of household salt seems to be the essential measure taken for the moment, additional measures may be needed in the near future.

Relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and Yersinia enterocolitica antibodies.

Abstract: It has previously been proposed that subclinical Yersinia enterocolitica infection may play a role in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). In this study, we investigated the relationship between the thyroid autoantibodies and the antibodies that produced against different serotypes of Y. enterocolitica. A total of 215 subjects were included into the study (65 newly diagnosed Graves' disease [GD], 57 Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT], 53 nontoxic diffuse goiter [NTDG], and 40 subjects for control group [CG]). Thyroid receptor antibodies (TRAb), thyroid and agglutinating antibodies against Y. enterocolitica serotype O:3, O:5, O:8, O:9 were measured in the blood samples. The highest incidence of Y. enterocolitica antibody positivity was measured in GD (53.8% for O:3, 29.2% for O:5, 44.6% for O:8, and 40% for O:9) and followed by HT. In patients with GD, TRAb levels were also higher than in patients with HT, NTDG, and CG. There was no difference between NTDG and CG in respect to the titer levels and the positivity o...

More than a decade of iodine prophylaxis is needed to eradicate goiter among school age children in a moderately iodine-deficient region.

Abstract: Background: There are many studies regarding the effect of iodine supplementation on goiter, but relatively few reports on the duration of iodine supplementation required to eradicate goiter in iodine-deficient regions. In the current study, we aimed to determine goiter prevalence as determined by sonographic methods, as it relates to changes in median urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) among school age children (SAC), ages 9–11. Methods: This study was performed in Ankara, Turkey, before and 5–10 years after mandatory iodination of table salt. Three hundred to 400 SAC from the same primary schools were studied every year by measurement of UIC as part of Turkish Iodine Surveys. Sonographically determined thyroid volume of the SAC had been measured before the mandatory iodination in 1997 and 5–10 years afterward, in 2002 and 2007. The prevalence of goiter in children was evaluated using World Health Organization/International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders recommendations for age a...

Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes

Abstract: XI. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING DIABETES CARE D iabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Diabetes care is complex and requires that many issues, beyond glycemic control, be addressed. A large body of evidence exists that supports a range of interventions to improve diabetes outcomes. These standards of care are intended to provide clinicians, patients, researchers, payors, and other interested individuals with the components of diabetes care, treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. While individual preferences, comorbidities, and other patient factors may require modification of goals, targets that are desirable for most patients with diabetes are provided. These standards are not intended to preclude more extensive evaluation and management of the patient by other specialists as needed. For more detailed information, refer to Bode (Ed.): Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes (1), Burant (Ed): Medical Management of Type 2 Diabetes (2), and Klingensmith (Ed): Intensive Diabetes Management (3). The recommendations included are diagnostic and therapeutic actions that are known or believed to favorably affect health outcomes of patients with diabetes. A grading system (Table 1), developed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and modeled after existing methods, was utilized to clarify and codify the evidence that forms the basis for the recommendations. The level of evidence that supports each recommendation is listed after each recommendation using the letters A, B, C, or E.

Management of adrenal incidentalomas: European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors

Abstract: By definition, an adrenal incidentaloma is an asymptomatic adrenal mass detected on imaging not performed for suspected adrenal disease. In most cases, adrenal incidentalomas are nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas, but may also represent conditions requiring therapeutic intervention (e.g. adrenocortical carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, hormone-producing adenoma or metastasis). The purpose of this guideline is to provide clinicians with best possible evidence-based recommendations for clinical management of patients with adrenal incidentalomas based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. We predefined four main clinical questions crucial for the management of adrenal incidentaloma patients, addressing these four with systematic literature searches: (A) How to assess risk of malignancy?; (B) How to define and manage low-level autonomous cortisol secretion, formerly called 'subclinical' Cushing's syndrome?; (C) Who should have surgical treatment and how should it be performed?; (D) What follow-up is indicated if the adrenal incidentaloma is not surgically removed? SELECTED RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) At the time of initial detection of an adrenal mass establishing whether the mass is benign or malignant is an important aim to avoid cumbersome and expensive follow-up imaging in those with benign disease. (ii) To exclude cortisol excess, a 1mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test should be performed (applying a cut-off value of serum cortisol ≤50nmol/L (1.8µg/dL)). (iii) For patients without clinical signs of overt Cushing's syndrome but serum cortisol levels post 1mg dexamethasone >138nmol/L (>5µg/dL), we propose the term 'autonomous cortisol secretion'. (iv) All patients with '(possible) autonomous cortisol' secretion should be screened for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, to ensure these are appropriately treated. (v) Surgical treatment should be considered in an individualized approach in patients with 'autonomous cortisol secretion' who also have comorbidities that are potentially related to cortisol excess. (vi) In principle, the appropriateness of surgical intervention should be guided by the likelihood of malignancy, the presence and degree of hormone excess, age, general health and patient preference. (vii) Surgery is not usually indicated in patients with an asymptomatic, nonfunctioning unilateral adrenal mass and obvious benign features on imaging studies. We provide guidance on which surgical approach should be considered for adrenal masses with radiological findings suspicious of malignancy. Furthermore, we offer recommendations for the follow-up of patients with adrenal incidentaloma who do not undergo adrenal surgery, for those with bilateral incidentalomas, for patients with extra-adrenal malignancy and adrenal masses and for young and elderly patients with adrenal incidentalomas.

The incidentally discovered adrenal mass

Abstract: A 68-year-old woman is incidentally found to have a left adrenal mass, 2.8 cm in diameter, on abdominal computed tomography that was ordered to evaluate right lower abdominal discomfort (which has since resolved). Her medical history is notable only for hypertension that has been well controlled with hydrochlorothiazide, at a dose of 25 mg daily. She reports no sweating, palpitations, headache, weight gain, or proximal muscle weakness. Her physical examination is unremarkable. How should she be evaluated?