Increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp may be associated with androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have suggested that androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may be associated with other disorders, especially metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to determine whether a connection exists between MetS and AGA based on the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 34 participants with AGA who had MetS and 33 participants with AGA who did not have MetS. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was employed for classifying AGA and MetS was identified using the US National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III criteria). The body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipid profiles of the participants were assessed. Hepatosteatosis and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp were examined using ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the MetS+AGA group had higher BMI (p = 0.011), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p = 0.003). Furthermore, the MetS+AGA group had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher rates of grade 6 alopecia than the control group (p = 0.019). Compared with the control group, those with MetS had thicker subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

The subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp was thicker in individuals with AGA who had high Hamilton scores. The concomitance of AGA and MetS may be associated with a high increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue and less favorable metabolic parameters.

Vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, ferritin, magnesium, and HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and dental prosthesis

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic patients may have vitamin deficiencies, which are important in the follow-up and complications of diabetes for various reasons. It may be beneficial to include the use of dental prosthesis among the parameters that should be investigated as a cause of vitamin deficiency during the management and follow-up of diabetes mellitus. We aimed to investigate the association between serum vitamin B12, folic acid, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, iron, magnesium, and HbA1c levels in diabetic patients with and without removable dental prosthesis and in non-diabetic patients with prosthesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study is a single-center case-control study. Participants were classified into the following groups: 1) Diabetic patients (n = 528) with prosthesis, 2) non-diabetic patients with prosthesis (n = 121) and 3) diabetic patients without prosthesis (n = 100). Vitamin B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, folic acid, ferritin, iron, magnesium, and HbA1c levels were measured and compared across the groups.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed between the groups with respect to the above parameters. Vitamin B12 levels were determined to be higher in the diabetic group without prosthesis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were found to be significantly higher in the non-diabetic group with a prosthesis than in the other two groups. There was no statistical difference in the iron levels between the groups. Ferritin levels were observed to be significantly higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis compared to the other two groups. Magnesium levels were significantly different between all the three groups. The highest magnesium levels were found in the non-diabetic group with prosthesis. HbA1c levels were found to be higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis. Magnesium levels were correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, but a negative correlation was observed between these and HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum vitamin B12 levels were lower in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups with prosthesis compared to the diabetic group without prosthesis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were lower and ferritin was higher in the diabetic groups with and without prosthesis. Magnesium levels were significantly lower in the diabetic group with a prosthesis than in the other two groups. The mean HbA1c level was higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis. The comparison of diabetic patients receiving metformin revealed a higher pronounced vitamin B12 deficiency in the diabetic group with prosthesis. These findings show that those diabetic patients with prosthesis should be evaluated for vitamin B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and magnesium deficiency.

Investigation on the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves' patients in northeastern part of Turkey: is surgery a better option for patients with Graves' disease who develop antithyroid drug-related major adverse events?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves' patients who underwent surgical intervention with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data of 530 patients with Graves' disease between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative ultrasonography reports and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody values and postoperative histopathological findings were available for 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy procedure. We compared the prevalence of thyroid cancer between patients with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events.

RESULTS

Thyroid cancer was detected in 31 of 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy. Of these patients, 18 had at least one nodule; however, thyroid cancer was incidentally detected in 13 patients without nodule. The 31 patients had the following cancer subtypes: 22 had papillary microcarcinoma, 8 papillary carcinoma and 1 noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. While thyroid cancer was present in half of the patients operated owing to anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse event, it was detected in 30% of the patients operated due to other reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, the prevalence of thyroid cancer among patients with Graves' disease was found to be much higher than those of other studies in the literature, suggesting that surgery can be considered primarily for the treatment of Graves' disease. Considering the surgical option in the first plan instead of radioactive iodine therapy appears to be reasonable in patients who develop anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse events.

The relationship of serum asprosin level with diabetic and non-diabetic retinopathy

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at investigating the role of serum asprosin level in diabetic retinopathy pathogenesis and differential diagnosis diabetic and non-diabetic retinopathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2021 and August 2021. A total of 21 subjects with diabetic retinopathy, 21 subjects with non-diabetic retinopathy, 21 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without retinopathy and 21 healthy controls were included in the study. Biochemical parameters, serum asprosin, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured in all participants.

RESULTS

Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, HOMA-IR and LDL levels were higher in diabetic patients than non-diabetic. The blood asprosin levels were higher in the diabetic retinopathy group compared to the healthy control group (p=0.001), T2DM without diabetic retinopathy (p=0.010), and non-diabetic retinopathy group (p=0.043). There is a significant positive relationship between asprosin level and high FBG, HbA1c and HOMA-IR scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum asprosin level is significantly increased in DRP group than others. A high asprosin level might be a risk factor for the development of diabetic complications, such as diabetic retinopathy. These findings suggest that the measurement of serum asprosin level may support clinicians in determining the risk of DRP development.