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Frontiers in Endocrinology 2019There is a high prevalence of hypothyroidism in the elderly population, mainly among women. The most important cause is autoimmune thyroiditis, but also iodine... (Review)
Review
There is a high prevalence of hypothyroidism in the elderly population, mainly among women. The most important cause is autoimmune thyroiditis, but also iodine deficiency, radioiodine ablation, and surgery may be responsible for hypothyroidism in elderly hospitalized patients. Thyroid-related symptoms are sometimes comparable to physiological manifestations of the aging process, and hypothyroidism may be related with many symptoms which can be present in critical patients, such as cognitive impairment, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and hematological alterations, and eventually myxedema coma which is a severe and life-threatening condition in older adults. Adequate thyroid hormone levels are required to achieve optimal outcomes from any kind of surgical intervention. However, only few randomized clinical trials investigated the association between non-thyroidal illness (or low-T3 syndrome), and adverse surgical outcomes, so far. The goal of this review is to discuss the role of thyroid function as a predictor of surgical outcomes in the elderly.
PubMed: 31068905
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00258 -
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2021The term myxedema psychosis (MP) was introduced to describe the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with untreated hypothyroidism, but the optimal assessment... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The term myxedema psychosis (MP) was introduced to describe the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with untreated hypothyroidism, but the optimal assessment and treatment of this condition are unclear. We aimed to synthesize data from the literature to characterize the clinical presentation and management of MP.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines in PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases, including observational studies, case series, and case reports published from 1/1/1980 to 31/12/2019 in the English language. Descriptive statistics along with univariate and multivariate analysis were used for data synthesis.
RESULTS
Out of 1583 articles screened, 71 case reports met our inclusion criteria providing data on 75 MP cases. The median age at diagnosis was 42 years [32-56]. About 53% had no prior hypothyroidism diagnosis. Delusions occurred in 91%, with a predominance of persecutory ideas (84%), while hallucinations occurred in 78%. Physical symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism were absent in 37% and 26%, respectively. If symptoms occurred, nonspecific fatigue was seen most frequently (63%). The median thyroid-stimulating hormone value was 93 mIU/L [60-139]. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were found positive in 75% (23/33) of reported cases. Creatinine kinase was reported abnormal in seven cases. Cranial imaging (CT or MRI) and electroencephalogram were normal in 89%, 75%, and 73% of the cases reported. The majority of patients were treated orally with thyroxine in combination with short-term antipsychotics. More than 90% of them showed complete recovery. Univariate analysis revealed a trend towards a shorter duration of psychosis with IV thyroid hormone therapy (= 0.0502), but the effect was not consistent in a multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
While we identified a substantial lack of published research on MP, our pooled analysis of case observations suggests that the condition presents a broad spectrum of psychiatric and physical symptoms lending support to the value of screening for thyroid dysfunction in patients with first-ever psychosis.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020160310.
PubMed: 34447249
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S318651 -
Cureus Sep 2021Endocrine disorders are known to involve all organ systems of the body, including the skin. The cutaneous manifestations of endocrine disorders can range from common... (Review)
Review
Endocrine disorders are known to involve all organ systems of the body, including the skin. The cutaneous manifestations of endocrine disorders can range from common findings such as acanthosis nigricans, pretibial myxedema, acne, hirsutism, hyper or hypopigmentation to rare cutaneous findings such as miliaria rubra, calciphylaxis, lentigines, and calcinosis cutis. These cutaneous symptoms can sometimes be the presenting symptoms or can even be pathognomonic of the underlying endocrine condition. In some cases, the cutaneous symptoms from an underlying endocrine abnormality may be the most prominent. These symptoms can significantly affect the quality of life of individuals. Often, individuals may seek health care from a dermatologist or primary care physician for isolated skin symptoms. Therefore, it is imperative for physicians to recognize the skin symptoms as the manifestation of the endocrine disorder for prompt diagnosis and treatment of the underlying endocrine disorder.
PubMed: 34692360
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18327 -
The Journal of the American Osteopathic... Nov 2016
Topics: Aged; Face; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Myxedema
PubMed: 27802562
DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2016.148 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism... Apr 2022Myxedema coma is a severe complication of hypothyroidism, commonly affecting women over 60 years of age, causing slow, progressive multi-organ dysfunction, and mental...
SUMMARY
Myxedema coma is a severe complication of hypothyroidism, commonly affecting women over 60 years of age, causing slow, progressive multi-organ dysfunction, and mental deterioration. Due to improved diagnostics and treatment of hypothyroidism, myxedema coma has become uncommon. However, it is hardly reported in resource-limited settings. We present an elderly female with a history of total thyroidectomy due to multi-nodular goiter. She presented with features of heart failure, excessive weight gain, and cold sensation. Although the patient was on levothyroxine replacement therapy, her laboratory tests were suggestive of overt primary hypothyroidism. During the course of her hospitalization, she developed subcutaneous bleeding with frank hematuria. This led to an altered mental state and hypotension that were suggestive of myxedema coma. Stroke and pulmonary embolism were ruled out as potential differential diagnoses of her current state. She was treated with a high dose of oral levothyroxine followed by 150 μg of oral levothyroxine daily, which resulted in a favorable outcome despite being a fatal emergency. She was also treated with intravenous hydrocortisone and furosemide. Oral thyroid hormone replacement may be an effective option in those resource-limited settings where intravenous thyroid hormone replacement is not available. However, early diagnosis and treatment with an adequate dose of thyroid hormones are crucial to achieve a favorable outcome.
LEARNING POINTS
Myxedema coma is an uncommon complication of hypothyroidism with a fatal outcome. The diagnosis of myxedema coma is based on clinical suspicion, especially in patients with hypothyroidism and in the presence of precipitating factors. Although diagnostic and scoring criteria based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging features have been proposed, no consensus has been reached. This article shows an alternative treatment option for myxedema coma using oral levothyroxine, which led to a favorable outcome.
PubMed: 35466083
DOI: 10.1530/EDM-21-0197 -
Critical Care Nursing QuarterlyEndocrine emergencies are underdiagnosed and often overlooked amid the management of severe multisystem pathologies in critically ill patients in the medical intensive... (Review)
Review
Endocrine emergencies are underdiagnosed and often overlooked amid the management of severe multisystem pathologies in critically ill patients in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). In an appropriate clinical scenario, a low threshold of suspicion should be kept to investigate for various life-threatening, yet completely treatable, endocrinopathies. Prompt identification and treatment of endocrine emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis, myxedema coma, thyroid storm, and/or adrenal insufficiency leads to fewer complications, shorter ICU and hospital stay, and improved survival. This review article entails common endocrine emergencies encountered in the ICU and addresses their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management.
Topics: Emergencies; Endocrine System Diseases; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Myxedema; Thyroid Crisis
PubMed: 35617093
DOI: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000411 -
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) Jun 2017This article provides an overview of endocrine emergencies with potentially devastating neurologic manifestations that may be fatal if left untreated. Pituitary... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This article provides an overview of endocrine emergencies with potentially devastating neurologic manifestations that may be fatal if left untreated. Pituitary apoplexy, adrenal crisis, myxedema coma, thyroid storm, acute hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, hyperglycemic emergencies (diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state), and acute hypoglycemia are discussed, with an emphasis on identifying the signs and symptoms as well as diagnosing and managing these clinical entities.
RECENT FINDINGS
To identify the optimal management of endocrine emergencies, using formal clinical diagnostic criteria and grading scales such as those recently proposed for pituitary apoplexy will be beneficial in future prospective studies. A 2015 prospective study in patients with adrenal insufficiency found a significant number of adrenal crisis-related deaths despite all study patients receiving standard care and being educated on crisis prevention strategies, highlighting that current prevention strategies and medical management remain suboptimal.
SUMMARY
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of endocrine emergencies are essential but remain challenging because of a lack of objective diagnostic tools. The optimal management is also unclear as prospective and randomized studies are lacking. Additional research is needed for these clinical syndromes that can be fatal despite intensive medical intervention.
Topics: Adrenal Insufficiency; Aged; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Emergencies; Endocrine System Diseases; Female; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Thyroid Crisis
PubMed: 28570329
DOI: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000467 -
QJM : Monthly Journal of the... Dec 2015
Topics: Adult; Graves Disease; Humans; Leg Dermatoses; Male; Myxedema
PubMed: 26231090
DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcv136