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Nagendra L, Mondal S, Bhat S, Boro H, George B, Bhattacharya S, Kalra S. PURsuit of Endocrinology (PURE): A National Survey among First-Year Endocrinology Residents Across India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2023; 27:450-455. [PMID: 38107737 PMCID: PMC10723614 DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_2_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endocrinology has been a popular choice of super-specialisation in India in recent years. The PURsuit of Endocrinology (PURE) survey aims to determine the factors that facilitated the selection of endocrinology as the area of super-specialisation among first-year residents across India. Methods We conducted an electronic questionnaire-based survey among first-year residents across India. The questionnaire evaluated the respondents' demographics, feeder speciality, challenges during preparation, factors influencing endocrinology as a career preference, unappealing aspects of the subject and future career plans. Results A total of 81 (43 males and 38 females) responses were recorded. The mean age was 31.3 ± 3.3 years, with 63% married. Internal medicine was the feeder speciality in 92.5% of cases. Work-life balance was the critical consideration for pursuing endocrinology in 91.4%, followed by professional satisfaction (64.2%) and the scope of having a solo practice (43.2%). Interestingly, there was less emphasis on monetary satisfaction (12.3%). Almost half of the respondents intended to practice in a government academic institution (46.9%) or in an independent set-up (45.7%). Conclusions The PURE survey suggests that work-life balance and professional satisfaction are the key driving factors behind the choice of endocrinology. An increasing interest among the residents to join as faculty in academic institutions, apart from having self-owned private clinics, is a welcome finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Nagendra
- Department of Endocrinology, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sunetra Mondal
- Department of Endocrinology, Healthworld Hospitals, Durgapur, West Bengal, India
| | - Sowrabha Bhat
- Department of Endocrinology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Hiya Boro
- Department of Endocrinology, Aadhar Health Institute, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Belinda George
- Department of Endocrinology, St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Sanjay Kalra
- Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Pathophysiology of Mild Hypercortisolism: From the Bench to the Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020673. [PMID: 35054858 PMCID: PMC8775422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild hypercortisolism is defined as biochemical evidence of abnormal cortisol secretion without the classical detectable manifestations of overt Cushing’s syndrome and, above all, lacking catabolic characteristics such as central muscle weakness, adipose tissue redistribution, skin fragility and unusual infections. Mild hypercortisolism is frequently discovered in patients with adrenal incidentalomas, with a prevalence ranging between 5 and 50%. This high variability is mainly due to the different criteria used for defining this condition. This subtle cortisol excess has also been described in patients with incidentally discovered pituitary tumors with an estimated prevalence of 5%. To date, the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of mild hypercortisolism of pituitary origin are still not well clarified. At variance, recent advances have been made in understanding the genetic background of bilateral and unilateral adrenal adenomas causing mild hypercortisolism. Some recent data suggest that the clinical effects of glucocorticoid (GC) exposure on peripheral tissues are determined not only by the amount of the adrenal GC production but also by the peripheral GC metabolism and by the GC sensitivity. Indeed, in subjects with normal cortisol secretion, the combined estimate of cortisol secretion, cortisone-to-cortisol peripheral activation by the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and GC receptor sensitizing variants have been suggested to be associated with the presence of hypertension, diabetes and bone fragility, which are three well-known consequences of hypercortisolism. This review focuses on the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying both the different sources of mild hypercortisolism and their clinical consequences (bone fragility, arterial hypertension, subclinical atherosclerosis, cardiovascular remodeling, dyslipidemia, glucose metabolism impairment, visceral adiposity, infections, muscle damage, mood disorders and coagulation).
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Favero V, Cremaschi A, Falchetti A, Gaudio A, Gennari L, Scillitani A, Vescini F, Morelli V, Aresta C, Chiodini I. Management and Medical Therapy of Mild Hypercortisolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111521. [PMID: 34768949 PMCID: PMC8584167 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild hypercortisolism (mHC) is defined as an excessive cortisol secretion, without the classical manifestations of clinically overt Cushing's syndrome. This condition increases the risk of bone fragility, neuropsychological alterations, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events and mortality. At variance with Cushing's syndrome, mHC is not rare, with it estimated to be present in up to 2% of individuals older than 60 years, with higher prevalence (up to 10%) in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension and/or diabetes or with unexplainable bone fragility. Measuring cortisol after a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test is the first-line test for searching for mHC, and the degree of cortisol suppression is associated with the presence of cortisol-related consequences and mortality. Among the additional tests used for diagnosing mHC in doubtful cases, the basal morning plasma adrenocorticotroph hormone, 24-h urinary free cortisol and/or late-night salivary cortisol could be measured, particularly in patients with possible cortisol-related complications, such as hypertension and diabetes. Surgery is considered as a possible therapeutic option in patients with munilateral adrenal incidentalomas and mHC since it improves diabetes and hypertension and reduces the fracture risk. In patients with mHC and bilateral adrenal adenomas, in whom surgery would lead to persistent hypocortisolism, and in patients refusing surgery or in whom surgery is not feasible, medical therapy is needed. Currently, promising though scarce data have been provided on the possible use of pituitary-directed agents, such as the multi-ligand somatostatin analog pasireotide or the dopamine agonist cabergoline for the-nowadays-rare patients with pituitary mHC. In the more frequently adrenal mHC, encouraging data are available for metyrapone, a steroidogenesis inhibitor acting mainly against the adrenal 11-βhydroxylase, while data on osilodrostat and levoketoconazole, other new steroidogenesis inhibitors, are still needed in patients with mHC. Finally, on the basis of promising data with mifepristone, a non-selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in patients with mild cortisol hypersecretion, a randomized placebo-controlled study is ongoing for assessing the efficacy and safety of relacorilant, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, for patients with mild adrenal hypercortisolism and diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance and/or uncontrolled systolic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Favero
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
| | - Arianna Cremaschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
| | - Alberto Falchetti
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
| | - Agostino Gaudio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Luigi Gennari
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Scillitani
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, IRCCS, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Fabio Vescini
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, University-Hospital S. M. Misericordia of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Valentina Morelli
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Carmen Aresta
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-61911-2738
| | - Iacopo Chiodini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
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