Objective: To analyse the diagnostic role of serum IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio and urinary GH (uGH) excretion in adult GH deficiency (GHD). Design: Twenty-seven adults (age range: 18-71 years) with severe GHD, defined by a peak GH response to an insulin tolerance test below 3 mg/l in patients with at least one additional pituitary hypofunction. Reference values were established from a selected age-and body mass index-matched population (154 healthy adults grouped in four age groups). Methods: IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured by RIA (Nichols) and results expressed as standard deviation (S.D.) scores from our reference population and assay normative data (S.D. score Nichols). uGH was measured by IRMA. Results: Within the control group, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio standardisation regarding our control population and IGF-I with respect to the assay normative data resulted in disappearance of agerelated differences. However, IGFBP-3 S.D. score Nichols resulted in mean values between þ1.4 and þ2.5 S.D. score. Greatest diagnostic efficiency was for IGF-I standardised with respect to our controls (97.2%), followed by S.D. score IGFBP-3 (92.9%). S.D. score IGF/IGFBP-3 ratio and uGH showed poor diagnostic efficiency. Any combination of at least two abnormal parameters raised specificity to 100%. IGF-I standardised with respect to assay reference (S.D. score Nichols) showed similar diagnostic value (95.0%) whereas IGFBP-3 showed low sensitivity (33.3%). Within the GHD patients, those with three or more additional deficiencies had lower S.D. score IGF-I than those with only two or one. Conclusion: We underline the importance of an appropriate reference population for correct interpretation of GH secretion markers. Considering our results, specificity obtained with two simultaneous abnormal parameters when referred to an adequate reference population may add valuable information to alternative GH stimulation tests to confirm adult GHD.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of YouTube videos as an educative tool for type 2 diabetes self-management. Design: Search terms were “diabetes diet” and “diabetes treatment.” Videos were jointly assessed by two reviewers. A third investigator evaluated a random sample to check for agreement. Main measures: Usefulness defined as making reference to AAD7 Self-Care Behaviors™ and presence of misleading information. Results: Of the 393 videos included, 42.2 percent (n = 166) classified as “alternative medicine.” 40.2 percent (n = 158) contained useful information. 25.7 percent (n = 101) videos contained misleading information. Videos displaying “alternative medicine” professionals (60 out of 200) were less useful (17% vs 57%; p < 0.001) and more misleading (40% vs 2%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The probability of finding videos that relate to AADE7™ self-care behaviors is below 50 percent. The odds of finding misleading information are high. Therefore, it is inadvisable for professionals to recommend the use of YouTube as an educating tool if specific videos are not suggested.

A significant proportion of patients treated with pegvisomant escaped (34%); however, the majority (87%) was easily controlled with either dose increase, further medical treatment or both. Lipodystrophy developed in 15%, mostly females, and influenced the response to treatment.

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