Endocrinology

The gut microbiota modulates immune development and is an important component of neuroendocrine system. These interactions interfere with neuroendocrine development and, consequently, the patient's immune function.

LDL-C was reduced in RA patients who took tocilizumab compared to placebo in a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Stress is both a cause of and product of inequality, according to a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but tofacitinib can reduce these issues, according to research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

A study of men with borderline testosterone levels found that half of them suffered either depressive symptoms or overt depression.

Many studies have looked at the link between vitamin D deficiency and liver disease. A Korean team recently examined whether vitamin D deficiency played a pivotal role in abnormal liver enzymes.

The intracellar lipid deposition, mitrochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is likely regulated by microRNAs, particularly in obese patients.

An estimated 11,000 attendees from 105 countries are converging in Vienna, Austria for the 50th International Liver Congress, hosted by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (ILC/EASL). Some 200 journalists -- including a team from MD Magazine--are on hand to report the news. Eagerly awaited trials include those of two drugs that show promise for treating a common liver disease associated with obesity, known medically as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its precursor non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The Choosing Wisely project offers specific, evidence-based recommendations providers and patients should discuss to make determine each individual patient's most appropriate care.

Patients with diabetes may need prompting and encouragement to meet recommended levels of eye care. Having health insurance coverage doesn't seem to increase adherence to this recommendation.

The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fewer calories of better quality to prevent diabetes. Researchers looked at the available evidence from studies that examined a variety of diets and found that any healthy diet reduces the risk of diabetes by about 20%.

With more than 40 million Americans either diagnosed or at high risk for osteoporosis as they age, researchers are scrambling to find ideal preventive and curative agents. One target that strengthens bones is excessive osteoclast activity. A team of researchers recently found that one biologic that targets excessive osteoclast activity may positively influence another problem of later life: insulin sensitivity.

A new study found that in obese college students with significant visceral fat, specific brain regions became insulin-resistant.

A common concern of expectant parents is what can increase the likelihood of their children being diagnosed with autism. A recent study found a link between exposure to gestational diabetes and autism risk.

Albumin -- the most abundant protein in the human body -- has many roles. It transports hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds. It buffers serum pH, and maintains osmotic pressure. Now, it appears that albumin may be a tool that could be used in diabetes management.

Researchers from a number of leading academic facilities across the United States have published a study that details post-surgical MACE prevalence and risk factors in patients with Williams syndrome.

An advisory panel for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a hearing yesterday focusing on safety issues associated with two diabetes medications. Although the panel's recommendation did not include specific treatment changes, its decision highlighted the fact that more research is needed on cardiovascular risk associated with this class of diabetes medications.

One of the advantages of using electronic health records is the amount of information they place at doctors' fingertips, enabling them (in theory) to provide the highest level of care for their patients.

There has been considerable research regarding the unhealthy risks associated with being overweight later in life. A recent study has shown that being underweight can also have a negative effect on a person's life as they get older.

Lack of sleep and chronic kidney disease (CKD) independently lead to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lower quality of life, and shorter life expectancy. Severity of CKD and sleep disturbances may also worsen diabetes and hypertension synergistically.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common in dialysis patients due to impaired vitamin D activation. An article published in the 2015 issue of Seminars in Dialysis surveys the past decade's findings about use of calcium sensing receptor activators-also called calcimimetics-in this population.

While TORe has been a significant development in the treatment of overweight and obese patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery there are more procedures on the horizon that could provide even greater benefits in the future.

Even more so than gastric bypass surgery, the work of the patient determines how effective TORe can be in helping them keep from re-gaining excess weight. With diet, exercise, and working with their healthcare professionals the results can be positive for everyone involved.

While gastric bypass has provided benefits for millions of patients it has not been without its share of complications and difficulties after the procedure. Over the past few years work has been done to find ways to help patients after undergoing the original operation.

Across the country millions of people have undergone gastric bypass surgery in an effort to lose weight and improve their overall health. For those patients who have seen their results diminish a relatively new procedure could get them back on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Good pancreatic exocrine function and quality of life is observed in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis, according to research conducted in Brazil.

Viewers have plenty of choices when it comes to medical talk shows on television. With all their recommendations a recent study looked at whether they are doing more harm than good to the potential patient pool.

Although the obesity epidemic in the United States seems to have reached a plateau over the past few years, the prevalence of obesity continues to be high with 30% of Americans classified as obese, defined as having a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, and an additional 30% overweight, with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2.

How do you educate a referring physician, or any colleague, without sounding judgmental? I’m not sure you can. Here’s how I tried.

The increased insulin resistance seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to non-RA controls did not contribute to additional atherosclerosis risk, according to research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.