Welcome to the latest edition of European Endocrinology, which features a wide range of topical articles covering several areas of endocrinology that have relevance to the wider biomedical community. This issue begins with an interview with Bernard Zinman, who discussed the forthcoming International World Diabetes Congress 2015. This issue also features a critical evaluation of the current use of recombinant insulin products. Fiona Campbell et al. discuss the Insulin Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and assessment of satisfaction with a latest-generation insulin pump. In another article evaluating insulin pump therapy, Yves Reznik and Michael Joubert review the main findings of the OPT2MISE study, which randomised patients to insulin pump treatment or multiple daily injections, and discuss the clinical implications of the study findings.
Also on the subject of diabetes, Rafael Machado Tironi and Jean-Charles Preiser present the case for a common metrics to quantitatively describe dysglycaemic events, such as the proportion of time spent in the target glycaemic range. This will help define blood glucose targets according to individual patient factors. An editorial by Sanjay Kalra and Yashdeep Gupta also discusses appropriate terminology, proposing a drug-specific definition for insulin inadequacy instead of a generic class-based labelling. In addition, Abd Tahrani presents a review of the clinical significance of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly in terms of cardiovascular disease risk.
On the subject of obesity and weight management, numerous endogenous targets have been proposed over the years. A review by Mona Abdalla discusses the potential of ghrelin, a peptide that is involved in numerous physiological functions including regulation of food intake and energy metabolism.
Disorders of endocrine glands also feature in this issue. An editorial by Rachel Crowley and Christopher Thompson discusses the management of craniopharyngioma, a tumour arising from stems along the pituitary stalk. Recent advances in the treatment of this condition, which is associated with high mortality, may improve outcomes. In another editorial, Scott-Coombes presents the prerequisites for a successful surgical approach to treating patients with adrenal disease. An editorial by Gawlik describes the need for a multi-disciplinary team in the management of Turner Syndrome. Finally, René Rodriguez-Gutierrez et al. present an unusual case of chronic tophaceous gout associated with severe hypercalcaemia.
European Endocrinology would like to thank all expert authors who contributed towards this edition. A special thanks goes to our Editorial Board for their continuing support and guidance. We hope that you will find these something of interest among these timely and insightful articles.
