BACKGROUND: Since the emergence of coronavirus infection in clinical practice, particular attention has been paid to its acute phase. However, to date, the direct and indirect impact on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after recovery from coronavirus infection remains an open question.OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and laboratory features of the post-COVID period in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during different phases of the infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted using the electronic medical records of 134 patients who had recovered from coronavirus infection.RESULTS: The majority of the patients were women, with no significant differences in age and gender distribution across the groups (p=0.384 and p=0.207, respectively). During the «Omicron» period, there were fewer comorbidities and fewer hospitalized patients compared to the other groups (p<0.0167). Regarding diabetes-related conditions, frequent urination was observed only in patients during the «Alpha» period, while the frequency of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, the severity of chronic kidney disease, and manifestations of polyneuropathy did not differ significantly between the groups (p>0.0167). When examining newly diagnosed diseases, a statistically significant difference was found only in musculoskeletal disorders (16.7% in «Alpha» vs. 30.2% in «Delta» vs. 3.7% in «Omicron», p=0.015). In the analysis of laboratory indicators, a difference was detected in platelet counts and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT): median platelet counts were significantly lower in the «Alpha» and «Delta» groups compared to the «Omicron» group (210 [179.2–249.7] x10⁹/L and 218 [196.5–281] x10⁹/L vs. 255 [208–327] x10⁹/L, respectively, p=0.016). The APTT was significantly longer for «Alpha» and «Delta» compared to «Omicron» (28 [23.6–31.3] seconds vs. 30.3 [26.1–34.9] seconds vs. 27.1 [22.4–30.3] seconds, respectively, p=0.013).CONCLUSION: Real-world data allow tracking the development of new symptoms and diseases in patients during the post-COVID period. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during the «Omicron» variant-associated period had a lower risk of developing new symptoms and diseases. It is necessary to implement solutions for monitoring target HbA1c levels through medical information systems and to enhance reporting standards for patient symptoms to enable more accurate analysis Real world data (RWD).

BACKGROUND: Among different subtypes of pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus the biggest difficulties of glycemic control arise in patients after total duodenopancreatectomy (TDPE), first of all due to the presence of absolute insulin insufficiency.AIM: Estimating safety and cost-effectiveness Guardian Connect CGM system in early postoperative period in hospitalized patients after TDPE on continuous intravenous insulin therapy (CIVIT).MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glucose measurement results of 26 patients in early postoperative period after TDPE were analyzed. In 12 of them, we used Guardian Connect CGM system. In this group 43 cycles (1 cycle — 6 days, 258 days total) of CGM and 971 glucometer measurements used for CGM calibration were analyzed; in other 14 patients in whom only glucometer was used we analyzed 2496 glycemic values.Cost-effectiveness was calculated over 6 days for CGM and only glucometer use (including cost of CGM, glucometers, disposable materials, clinic wage-costs to medical staff for time required for glucose control).RESULTS: Glucose levels of group #1 were in the target range 5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L (66.7 vs 61.2%, p=0.003) and the range 4.3–11.6 mmol/L (85.2% vs 82.2%, p=0.038) more than in comparison with group #2.The frequency of hypoglycemic episodes (<3.9 mmol/L) was statistically significantly lower in the CGM group (6 vs 54, p<0.001, RO 8.463 [3.579; 20.015], RR 1.746 [1.551; 1.966]).Cost analysis of glucose control using Guardian Connect CGM system for one cycle (6 days) and cost of glucose control using glucose meter for the same period showed that using Guardian Connect CGM system in patients after TDPE on intravenous insulin therapy reduced clinic costs by 21.7% in ICU and by 25.7% in the hospital department.CONCLUSION: Guardian Connect CGM have demonstrated its safety and cost-effectiveness during glucose control in patients in early postoperative period after TDPE on CIVIT.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is an extremely rare monogenic autosomal recessive disease characterized by development of multiple organ failure with predominant endocrine glands involvement. The challenges of patient management are related to low adherence to the lifelong multicomponent therapy, high risk of complications, including pneumonia, adrenal insufficiency decompensation, necrotic colitis and other acute infectious and inflammatory diseases. Due to the rarity of this disorder, clinicians lack sufficient experience with management of such patients, which could lead to delayed medical care and patient death. Patient A., 28 years old, was followed up for 10 years in the Endocrinology clinic with the diagnosis of “Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1. Mucocutaneous candidiasis. Primary hypoparathyroidism. Primary chronic adrenal insufficiency. Primary hypothyroidism. Chronic gastroduodenitis. Chronic colitis. Autoimmune alopecia.” The onset of the disease with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis at the age below 1 year had defined the severe course of the disease, including a wide range of consequently occurring autoimmune diseases associated with recurrent episodes of decompensation of hypoparathyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, as well as the development of acute necrotic colitis at the age of 26. As an adult, the patient admitted that he had previously been insufficiently responsible and attentive to his disease and regular medication intake, with resulting episodes of adrenal insufficiency decompensation and occurrence of the symptoms related to serum calcium fluctuations. Due to abnormalities of cellular and humoral immunity, APS-1 patients are at an extremely high risk for a critical course of COVID-associated pneumonia. In 2020, the patient contracted the coronavirus infection complicated by bilateral pneumonia, followed by respiratory failure, bacterial sepsis and acute renal failure. Despite the timely hospitalization, administration of the state-of-the-art antibacterials and antifungals and all the necessary resuscitation measures, it was not possible to save his life. This clinical observation demonstrates the difficulties of therapeutic management of APS-1 patients with an early disease manifestation, who, due to severe genetically determined impaired immunity, are at high risk of death from an intercurrent infection. The combination of several chronic comorbidities and the need to take a large number of replacement treatments require an individual therapeutic approach, as well as psychological and social adaptation of the patients, starting from their childhood and throughout the whole life, taking into account the frequent psychological problems could lead to low treatment adherence. The timely diagnostics of the disease, understanding of pathophysiology and specifics of its course could contribute to increased qualityadjusted life years of APS-1 patients.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder in patients with chronic heart failure. One of the most effective antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmia is amiodarone. In the group of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and low left ventricular ejection fraction, it is the drug of choice when conducting a „rhythm control“ strategy. Patients receiving amiodarone often develop an adverse event – amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, which exacerbates the course of cardiovascular pathology. In this article, we consider a clinical case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis in a 30-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and agranulocytosis that developed against the background of thyrostatic therapy.

Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome (WSS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with progressive extrapyramidal signs, mental retardation, alopecia, and a variety of endocrine deficiencies, including diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, and hypothyroidism. To date, approximately 98 genetically confirmed WSS families have been reported worldwide. This report focuses on a new genetic variant detected in 2 WSS-affected sisters with distinctive phenotypical features. The case under review is of special interest due to the multiple manifestations of WSS. This is the first family case of WSS identified in the Russian Federation. Although there is no specific treatment for WSS, genetic testing makes it possible to diagnose WSS, make a prognosis, and provide comprehensive patient-oriented treatment.

Background: Glucocorticoids are the first-line pharmacotherapy for amiodarone-induced destructive thyroiditis. Despite the availability of clinical guidelines, there is no unified approach to patient management (indications for prescription, starting dose, duration of therapy and withdrawal algorithm). The issues of dose-dependent effect of glucocorticoids, verification of factor of delayed treatment response, prediction of severity and duration of thyrotoxicosis remain unresolved. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of various regimens of tablet glucocorticoids in patients with type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis. Methods: This was a prospective randomized open-label comparative controlled trial of the efficacy of two starting doses of prednisolone 30 mg (n = 22) and 60 (n = 22) mg daily. The study groups were comparable for gender (men to women ratio 2:1), age, anthropometric and main clinical and laboratory characteristics. After euthyroidism has been achieved, thyroid function was assessed twice at 1 and 2 months during the dose reduction and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after prednisolone withdrawal. The follow up was 15 to 24 months. The efficacy of therapy was evaluated by the time to euthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis duration, rate of recurrent waves of destruction and relapses. We looked for predictors of delayed treatment response and severe and prolonged thyrotoxicosis. Results: There were no significant differences in the time to euthyroidism (Mantel-Cox log rank test 0.859), duration of thyrotoxicosis (Mantel-Cox log rank test 0.813), rate of recurrent waves of destruction (0.721) and relapses (0.464). Within 30 days of therapy, remission was obtained in 11/22 (50.0%) patients in active control group (prednisolone 30 mg) and in 12/22 (54.5%) patients in the 60 mg group. Delayed response ( 60 days) was defined by recurrent waves of destruction (RR = 34.7, 95% CI: 3.7–321.8; R² = 0.430; p = 0.002). High risk of severe thyrotoxicosis was predicted by the age ≤ 54 years (AUC 0.749 ± 0.095, 95% CI: 0.562–0.936; p = 0.038; sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 62.2%). The duration of thyrotoxicosis was associated with body mass index (B = -7.4, R = 0.481, R² = 0.0231; p = 0.024) and cumulative amiodarone dose (B = 0.4, R = 0.472, R² = 0.223; p = 0.026). A combination of adverse events (hyperglycemia, infection, proximal myopathy, change in appearance, hematomas) and their severity were more frequent in the patients who had received the 60 mg prednisolone starting dose (p = 0.014). Conclusion: Compared to lower doses, the use of high doses of glucocorticoids is associated with a greater severity of side effects and does not ensure any significant acceleration of thyrotoxicosis remission. The potential factors of unfavorable clinical course of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis are age, body mass index, and cumulative dose of amiodarone.

The formations of the adrenal glands are often detected accidentally during instrumental methods of examination of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space, performed for some other reasons. Over the past 2 decades, the frequency of detection of adrenal gland formations has increased 10-fold, and most of them are diagnosed in old age. The tactics of observation and treatment depend both on hormonal activity and on the malignant potential of the detected formation. Up to 58% of patients with adrenal incidentalomas have a malignant nature, with a higher risk in young patients, with a size of more than 4 cm, as well as with a history of other malignant neoplasms. The frequency of detection of the classical clinical and laboratory picture of hypercorticism, hyperaldosteronism or catecholamine-producing tumor is less than 15%, however, the phenomenon of functionally autonomous cortisol production according to the results of studies conducted in the last few years is much more common up to 3050% of patients. Despite the absence of vivid clinical symptoms in some cases, autonomous cortisol secretion is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and metabolic disorders, therefore, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas need to exclude this condition. This article presents clinical cases of patients with adrenal gland formations, describes in detail the examination algorithm and the choice of treatment tactics, taking into account the results of studies conducted since the release of the latest clinical recommendations for the management of patients with adrenal gland incidentalomas in 2016.

Key statements of the Russian clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis are summarized. They were developed by a task force representing the key Russian professional associations involved in the management of osteoporosis and approved by the Russian Ministry of Health.PURPOSE:To summarize key statements of the Russian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.METHODS:The Russian clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis were developed by a task force representing the key Russian professional associations involved in the management of osteoporosis: These comprised the Russian Association of Endocrinologists, the Russian Association for Osteoporosis, the Association of Rheumatologists of Russia, the Association of Orthopedic surgeons and Traumatologists of Russia, the Russian Association of Gynecologists-Endocrinologists, and the Russian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatrics. The guidelines are based on a systematic literature review and principles of evidence-based medicine and were compiled in accordance with the requirements for clinical recommendations developed by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.RESULTS:Key statements included in the Russian guidelines of osteoporosis approved by the Russian Ministry of Health in 2021 are summarized. The statements are graded based on levels of evidence and supported by short comments. The guidelines are focused on the current approach to screening, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis.CONCLUSION:These guidelines are a practical tool for general practitioners, as well as medical specialists, primarily endocrinologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and other physicians who are involved in the management of patients with osteoporosis.

Despite the evident progress achieved in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) over the past decade and due to the active implementation of innovative technologies, the prevalence of reproductive system disorders among young women with T1D remains quite high and is about 40%. A wide range of such disorders include delayed puberty, late menarche, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and early menopause. In addition, according to available scientific data, patients with T1D have a higher incidence of such gynecological diseases as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, hyperplastic lesions of the endometrium and mammary glands. The leading pathogenetic factor of emerging reproductive disorders is chronic hyperglycemia, as well as marked glycemic variability. To ensure timely prevention and development of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of gynecological and reproductive diseases, a broader understanding of the clinical features of reproductive disorders and the pathogenetic mechanisms of their development is required. The aim of this review was to systematize the available knowledge on the characteristics of reproductive health of women with T1D and to analyze current preventive and therapeutic strategies for reproductive dysfunction. Key words: insulin therapy, type 1 diabetes, reproductive system, ovarian hyperandrogenism

TThe annual increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus emphasizes the relevance of the search for new treatment options, along with necessity for regular review of proven therapeutic solutions. Today, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i, gliptins) are effective and safe hypoglycemic therapy, which is included in modern standards of treatment of type 2 diabetes. In 2022, the availability of this group of drugs for Russian patients has significantly increased. This circumstance became a prerequisite for holding a National Council of Experts with the participation of members of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists. The task of the Council was to determine the place of DPP-4i in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes in 2023. During the meeting of the Council, experts summarized the evidence base of DPP-4i taking into account the latest scientific data and determined the optimal clinical portraits of patients for the use of DPP-4i in accordance with updated national recommendations.

Possible triggers and genetic markers involved in pathogenesis of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) or amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) are currently unknown. This study aimed to analyze the association between polymorphisms in the genes involved in thyroid hormones biosynthesis and metabolism. Thirty-nine consecutive patients with confirmed type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis were enrolled; 39 patients on the same therapy for at least 6 months without thyroid pathology were included as a control group. A comparative study was carried out to determine the distribution and genotypes of polymorphic markers of the (Na)-iodide symporter (NIS) genes (rs7250346, C/G substitution), thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) (rs1991517, C/G substitution), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) (rs 732609, A/C substitution), DUOX 1-1 (C/T substitution), DUOX 1-2 (G/T substitution), DUOX 1-3 (C/T substitution), glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) (C/T substitution), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) (C/T substitution). Statistical analysis was performed using Prism (Version 9.0.0 (86)). This study showed that the risk of AIT2 is 3.18 times higher in the G/T of the DUOX1 gene carriers. This study is the first report of genetic markers associated with amiodarone-related adverse events conducted in humans. The obtained results indicate the necessity for a personalized approach to amiodarone administration.

The problem of eating disorders currently holds a special place in clinical practice. Bulimia nervosa is one of the main forms of eating disorders, characterized by the difficulty in its treatment and a long, recurrent course. Eating disorders are common in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), especially in adolescent girls. In this article, we present a clinical case of a patient with T1D and bulimia nervosa, which developed before the manifestation of T1D and progressed against its background. The patient is overly concerned with controlling body weight, specifically restricted the intake of carbohydrates, forcibly caused vomiting. During pregnancy fasting ketonuria («low-carb ketone») was repeatedly detected. The minimum weight was 37 kg (BMI 15.2 kg/m 2 ). Particular interest of this case is the course of pregnancy, which ended in the antenatal death. The possible cause could be the restriction on carbohydrate food and prolonged stay in ketosis, that might lead to the development of pregnancy pathology. Additional examination also revealed multiple complications of diabetes and recurrent depressive disorder, which requires conjoint monitoring by an endocrinologist and a psychiatrist. Combination of T1D and eating disorder in a pregnant patient should be considered as an atypical course of the disease.

BACKGROUND:The implementation of standardized protocols for combined treatment of cancer into clinical practice inevitably leads to a long-term consequence.AIMS:To study the prevalence of endocrine disorders, to assess the prevalence and degree of decline of bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals who have undergone combined treatment of malignant brain tumors in childhood and adolescence.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted with 59 young adults (31 men; 28 women) who have undergone surgical treatment of malignant brain tumour followed by radiation treatment (craniospinal radiation in combination with or without polychemotherapy). Group I consisted of 37 patients, who were treated between the ages of 3 and 16 years. Group II included 22 patients who received treatment between the ages of 16 and 38 years.RESULTS:GH deficiency according to the results of the insulin hypoglycemia test was diagnosed in 48 patients (81%), 22 -patients had secondary adrenal insufficiency (37%). The majority of those examined (33 patients (56%)) did not achieve the target growth. Only 5 people from I group was treated with recombinant GH. Correlation analysis demonstrates that age of treatment is the main factor affecting final growth (r=0,619, p&lt;0,001). Many cases of hypothyroidism (n=39 (66%)) and hypogonadism (19 women; 17 men) were detected. According to the DXA, a decrease of BMD ≤-2.0 SD (Z-score) in L1-L4 was found in 35 of 59 patients (59%). The BMD in the I group was significantly lower than in patients treated at an older age (p&lt;0.001). A moderate correlation was discovered between BMD in L1-L4 at the time of examination and the level of estradiol in women (r=0.596, p&lt;0.05) and testosterone in men (r=0.472, p&lt;0.05). Direct correlation between BMD and age of diagnosis was revealed (r=0.781, p&lt;0.01).CONCLUSIONS:The results show that patients need to be monitored annually and for life after the combined treatment of malignant brain tumors in order to detect the long-term effects of the treatment. The high incidence of osteopenic conditions determines the relevance and need for early diagnosis to prevent further bone loss, reduced bone strength and the risk of fractures.

Inhibitors of the sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2i) are a modern class of antihyperglycemic drugs with an insulin-independent mechanism of action. Due to its ability to effectively lower blood glucose levels, improve a number of other cardiometabolic parameters (body weight, blood pressure, uric acid), as well as reduce cardiovascular and renal risks, SGLT2i have become drugs of choice for many of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Meanwhile, along with the generally recognized classes-effects of this group of drugs, there are intragroup features, including those associated with their different selectivity in sodium-glucose cotransporters of types 1 and 2 (SGLT1 and SGLT 2). For example, one of the most studied SGLT2i, canagliflozin, in addition to its inhibitory activity against SGLT2, can also moderately block SGLT1 in the intestine and kidneys that could give a maximum efficiency in the control glycemia and others cardiometabolic parameters. In addition, canagliflozin improves not only cardiovascular, but also renal prognosis in patients with T2DM, which is reflected in the corresponding indications in the summary of product characteristics of the drug. This document summarize the established and new data regarding the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, as well as its place in the treatment of T2DM.

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that is commonly used for treatment of various supraventricular and ventricu-lar arrhythmias. Amiodarone and its main active metabolite desethylamiodarone have a direct dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on thyroid follicular cells. Consequently, some patients receiving amiodarone may develop thyroid dysfunction: amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) or amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). The diagnosis, classification, and treatment of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction remain to be a challenge to all clinicians deal with this problem. diagnosis of diffuse toxic goiter and, consequently, AIT1. Colour-flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) is proposed as the basic method of differential diagnosis of AIT 1 and AIT 2. CFDS «pattern 0», usually indicates AIT 2, the presence of «patterns I-III» mostly typical for AIT 1. The thyreostatics are recommended for AIT 1, oral glucocorticoids for AIT 2 and their combination for a mixed AIT. Emergency thyroidectomy should be applied to patients with deteriorating cardiovascular pathology and ineffective drug therapy. In the absence of clinical suspicion on thyroid dysfunction, thyroid hormones assessment should be done 3 months after the start of amiodarone treatment, thereafter every 6 months.

Aim. To study the clinical, biochemical characteristics, treatment results and follow-up of patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome EAS (ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone ). Materials and methods. A retrospective, observational, single-center study of 130 patients with EAS. Demographic information of patients, medical history, results of laboratory and instrumental investigations at the pre- and postoperative stages and follow-up of EAS were analyzed. Results. The mean age at the diagnosis ranged from 12 to 74 years (Me 40 years [28; 54]). The duration of the disease from the onset of symptoms to the verification of the diagnosis varied from 2 to 168 months (Me 17.5 months [7; 46]). Eighty-one (62,3%) patients had bronchopulmonary NET, 9 thymic carcinoid, 7 pancreatic NET, 5 pheochromocytoma, 1 cecum NET, 1 appendix carcinoid tumor, 1 medullary thyroid cancer and 25 (19.2%) had an occult source of ACTH. The median follow-up period of patients was 27 months [9.75; 61.0] with a maximum follow-up of 372 months. Currently, primary tumor was removed in 82 (63.1%) patients, bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in 23 (18%) patients, in 16 of them there was an occult source of ACTH-producing NET and in 7 patients in order to control hypercortisolism after non-successful surgical treatment. Regional and distant metastases were revealed in 25 (19.2%) patients. At the time of the last observation 59 (72%) patients were exhibited a full recovery, 12 (14.6%) had relapse of the disease and 26 (20%) died from multiple organ failure (n=18), pulmonary embolism (n=4), surgical complications (n=2), disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (n=1) or COVID-19 (n=1). Conclusion. In our cohort of patients bronchopulmonary NET are the most frequent cause of EAS (62.3%). Surgical treatment leads to remission of hypercortisolism in 72% cases; the proportion of relapse (14.6%) and fatal outcome (20%) remains frequent in EAS.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble secosteroid that plays a significant role in the whole body, including the maxillofacial region. The discovery of its receptors in many cells and organs made it possible to reveal the participation of vitamin D not only in the regulation of calcium phosphate metabolism, but also in immune processes, in providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, slowing down cell proliferation and stimulating differentiation. In this literature review, we demonstrate the association between low vitamin D levels and the development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, the course and response to treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, the severity of periodontal diseases, and the processes of osseointegration and bone remodeling during dental implantation and guided tissue regeneration. The aim of our article was to demonstate a possible connection between vitamin D level and the oral diseases that can be presented at an oral surgery appointment, which will help clinicians to reduce the risk of early dental implant failure, ensure favorable outcomes of augmentative operations, as well as decrease the destructive effects of severe periodontitis and other conditions throug knowledge and timely lab tests and endocrinologist prescriptions.

To analyze the clinical presentations of patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) affected by Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Patients who were referred to our clinic with active CS from 31st March to 15th May 2020 were screened for COVID-19 using real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Late-night serum cortisol (64–327 nmol/L), late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) (0.5–9.4 nmol/L), or 24-h urinary free cortisol (24 hUFC) (100–379 nmol/24 h) were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Among 22 patients with active CS we found three cases affected by COVID-19. Nonspecific inflammation markers were within the reference range or slightly elevated in these patients. A 71-year-old woman with newly diagnosed CS (late-night serum cortisol >1750 nmol/L, LNSC 908.6 nmol/L) developed dyspnea as an only symptom and died from bilateral polysegmantal hemorrhagic pneumonia 7 days later. A 38-year-old woman with a 5-year medical history of active Cushing’s disease (CD) (late-night serum cortisol 581.3 nmol/L, 24 hUFC 959.7 nmol/24-h) suffered from dyspnea, cough, fever (39.3 °C) and chest pain. Oxygen therapy, antibiotics and symptomatic treatments lead to full recovery 24 days later. A 66-year-old woman with a 4-year medical history of mild CD (late-night serum cortisol 603.4 nmol/L, LNSC 10.03 nmol/L) tested positive for COVID-19 in routine screening and remained asymptomatic. The outcome of COVID-19 in patients with CS depends on the severity of hypercortisolism. Thus, severe hypercortisolism is a warning sign that CS affected by COVID-19 could require emergency care despite a lack of clinical presentations and low inflammation biomarkers.

Considering that type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multicomponent disease and is associated with an extremely high risk of macrovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke and death from cardiovascular diseases), at present, much attention is paid to the choice of hypoglycemic drugs, given the individual characteristics of the patient. Preference is given to drugs of those classes that have a positive effect on cardiovascular outcomes. Along with relatively new molecules (inhibitors of the sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 and agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors), the well-known drug pioglitazone, which belongs to the thiazolidinediones group, has not left the field of attention of researchers. Importantly, the cardioprotective effect of pioglitazone has been confirmed in several large randomized trials that showed a delay in atherosclerosis and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (PERISCOPE, CHICAGO, IRIS and PROactive). As an insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone reduces insulin resistance, has a protective effect on pancreatic β-cells, and also has a beneficial effect on components of insulin resistance syndrome (lowers blood pressure, lipid spectrum parameters) and improves the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There is evidence of possible side effects (weight gain, fluid retention, fractures), but their severity decreases with decreasing dose of the drug.