Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud

Objectives: To analyze the usefulness of plasma ACTH in predicting CD remission after surgery and to evaluate the prognostic usefulness of ACTH measurement after the cortisol and ACTH nadir (48 h prior to discharge). Design: A prospective study was made of 65 patients with CD operated upon between 2005 and 2016. Methods: Postsurgery plasma ACTH and cortisol were measured every 6 h, in the absence of corticosteroid coverage. Hydrocortisone was started in the presence of adrenal insufficiency or cortisol <55.2 nmol/L. Plasma ACTH was again determined before discharge. Main outcome measure: Usefulness of plasma ACTH in predicting CD remission. Results: Remission at 3 months of CD was achieved in 56 of 65 cases, with late recurrence in 18 of 58 cases. Following resection, the ACTH nadir was sign ificantly lower referred to late remission (2.8 vs 6.5 pmol/L; P = 0.031) and higher for recurrence (2.1 vs 4.8 pmol/L; P < 0.001), and identical results were obtained for the ACTH val ues before discharge. In the analysis of the ROC curves, nadir and before discharge ACTH values <1.9 pmol/L and <2.6 pmol/L were respectively indicative of ear ly remission (AUC 0.827; P < 0.001); <6.2 pmol/L of remission at 3 months (AUC 0.847; P = 0.001) and >3.2 pmol/L of recurrence (AUC 0.810; P < 0.001) in both ACTH values. A time to ACTH nadir <46 h was indicative of early remission (AUC 0.751; P = 0.001), while a time >39 h was indicative of recurrence (AUC 0.773; P = 0.001). Conclusions: We propose an ACTH value <3.3 pmol/L as a good long-term progno stic marker in the postoperative period of CD. Reaching the ACTH nad ir in less time is associated to a lesser recurrence rate.

Background: Basal insulin reduces fasting blood glucose levels, but postprandial blood glucose levels may remain higher. Traditional strategies with rapid insulin intensification can cause hypoglycemic episodes and weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as the short-acting lixisenatide, are able to control postprandial excursions, without weight gain, and with a low risk of hypoglycemic events. Objective: Due to the limited data on the combination of lixisenatide with basal insulin (with or without oral antidiabetes drugs) in clinical practice, this study evaluated changes in parameters associated with glycemic control and anthropometric data after 24 weeks of this therapy intensification. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective observational study of 129 patients with type 2 diabetes that was uncontrolled by basal insulin. Their treatment was intensified by the addition of lixisenatide at least 24 weeks before being included in the study. Data were retrospectively collected to determine changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, blood glucose levels, weight, and body mass index. Ad- verse reactions and hypoglycemic events were also recorded. Results: After 24 weeks of therapy intensification with lixisenatide, a significant reduction in HbA1c levels was observed (–1.1%; P < 0.001). An HbA1c < 7% was achieved in 30.2% of patients, and 17.1% reached an HbA1c < 6.5%. There was a reduction in fasting blood glucose (31.8 [60.3] mg/dL; P < 0.001) and postprandial blood glucose (55.0 [49] mg/dL; P < 0.001) levels, as well as body weight (4.0 [5.4] kg; P < 0.001) and body mass index (1.5 [1.9]; P < 0.001). The most commonly observed adverse reactions were nausea (n = 9), in line with previous studies. Hypoglycemia events were rare; only reported in 2 patients. Conclusions: Intensification strategy based on lixisenatide added to basal insulin (with or without oral antidiabetes drugs) can be an effective treatment option in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. In this small, selected population, glycemic control was significantly improved in terms of HbA1, fasting blood glucose levels, and postprandial glucose levels, with a reduction of body weight and low risk of hypoglycemic events.