[Hypoparathyroidism - un underestimated problem?]

Vitamin D and Its Analogues: From Differences in Molecular Mechanisms to Potential Benefits of Adapted Use in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Lifestyle habits and insufficient sunlight exposure lead to a high prevalence of vitamin D hypovitaminosis, especially in the elderly. Recent studies suggest that in central Europe more than 50% of people over 60 years are not sufficiently supplied with vitamin D. Since vitamin D hypovitaminosis is associated with many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vitamin D supplementation seems to be particularly useful for this vulnerable age population. Importantly, in addition to vitamin D, several analogues are known and used for different medical purposes. These vitamin D analogues differ not only in their pharmacokinetics and binding affinity to the vitamin D receptor, but also in their potential side effects. Here, we discuss these aspects, especially those of the commonly used vitamin D analogues alfacalcidol, paricalcitol, doxercalciferol, tacalcitol, calcipotriol, and eldecalcitol. In addition to their pleiotropic effects on mechanisms relevant to AD, potential effects of vitamin D analogues on comorbidities common in the context of geriatric diseases are summarized. AD is defined as a complex neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system and is commonly represented in the elderly population. It is usually caused by extracellular accumulation of amyloidogenic plaques, consisting of amyloid (Aβ) peptides. Furthermore, the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles involving hyperphosphorylated tau proteins contributes to the pathology of AD. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the importance of an adequate vitamin D supply and discusses the specifics of administering various vitamin D analogues compared with vitamin D in geriatric patients, especially those suffering from AD.

[The Therapy of Malignant Thyroid Disease from ENT-Perspective]

INTRODUCTION

 Malignant tumours of the thyroid gland show a rising incidence. As in the ENT-department Bad Hersfeld the management of thyroid disorders has been in focus for a longer period, we want to share our experiences in this field.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 The investigation started in the year of 2014 till July 2020. All patients who underwent thyroid surgery were evaluated concerning important demographic and medical parameters such as age, sex, histology, calcium, recurrent nerve palsy, etc. RESULTS:  So far 63 patients with a malignant thyroid disease were enrolled in this study. The sex ratio showed a preponderance of the female patients with 42 and 21 males. Age had a wide range from 11 to 95 years. Patients with a differentiated cancer were in average younger than those with anaplastic disease. Histologically the papillary variant dominated with 65 % (n = 41) the other tumours as the follicular (n = 6), the medullary (n = 5) and the anaplastic carcinoma (n = 6). In two female patients with primary hyperparathyroidism a carcinoma of the parathyroid was found surprisingly. All patients underwent surgery; those with an advanced differentiated carcinoma were treated with radioiodine additionally. To our knowledge there was just one tumour related death in case of a differentiated carcinoma, whereas all patients with an anaplastic disease died of their malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

 The otorhinolaryngologist is involved in the management of thyroid malignancies. As well as in the benign diseases of the endocrine neck organs the interdisciplinary collaboration is mandatory for a high medical standard.