Background: Numerous studies have evaluated the effect that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have on multiple health outcomes. For its part, stress is a natural response to environmental disturbances and within the associated metabolic responses, alterations in cortisol levels and their measurement in different tissues are a way to determine the stress state of an individual. Therefore, it has been proposed that MBIs can modify cortisol levels. Methods and results: The objective of this systematic review was to analyze and summarize the different studies that have evaluated the effect of MBIs on cortisol levels. The following databases were consulted: MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, Science Direct, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Scopus. The search terms “mindfulness”, “mindfulness-based interventions” and “cortisol” were used (and the search was limited to studies from January 1990 to May 2024). In order to reduce selection bias, each article was scrutinized using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist independently by two authors. We included those studies with specified intervention groups with at least one control group and excluded duplicate studies or those in which the intervention or control group was not adequately specified. Significant changes in cortisol following MBIs were found in 25 studies, while 10 found no changes. The small sample size, lack of randomization, blinding, and probable confounding and interaction variables stand out in these studies. Conclusion: MBIs have biological plausibility as a means of explaining a positive effect on cortisol levels; however, the weakness of the studies and the absence of robust designs makes it difficult to establish a causal association between both variables. Registration number: INPLASY2024110017.

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and is characterized by the presence of thyroid autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin. Several studies have found that the global prevalence of HT has increased in recent decades, while others show the opposite. Methods and Results: The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize and analyze the different studies that have evaluated the prevalence of HT (in adults) and the possible associated factors. The following databases were consulted, as follows: MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The search terms “epidemiology”, “prevalence”, and “Hashimoto disease” and “Hashimoto thyroiditis” were used. The search was limited to articles published between January 1965 and October 2024, and only articles in English were considered. In order to reduce selection bias, each article was scrutinized using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist independently by two authors. Studies were included if the number of participants (study population and/or cases and controls, depending on the study design) was clearly described and duplicate studies were excluded. A total of 59 studies were identified, the vast majority of them used a cross-sectional design, using different methods of disease assessment. Conclusions: Globally, the prevalence of HT is estimated to be between 5–10%; some areas with prevalences > 20% and others < 0.5% were identified. Prevalence is also higher in women than in men. Multiple underlying factors (genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle), together with socioeconomic, nutritional, overdiagnosis, inter alia, may explain (at least in part) the wide variability in the prevalence of HT.

Introduction: Acromegaly is a chronic disorder characterized by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1), resulting in multisystem involvement. Cardiovascular complications affect up to 80% of cases and represent a major concern in advanced stages of the disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acromegalic heart disease (AHD) and identify factors associated with its development in a Colombian population. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter case-control study was carried out using data from the national RAPACO registry. Patients aged 16 years or older with confirmed acromegaly and an available echocardiogram were included. AHD was defined by structural or functional cardiac abnormalities attributable to acromegaly. Results: A total of 193 patients with acromegaly were analyzed; 61 (31.6%) had AHD. Compared with the non-AHD group, these patients were older, had a 4.5 cm larger abdominal perimeter, and had a median time from disease onset to diagnosis of 8 years (vs. 6 years in those without AHD). Among the 61 AHD cases, the most frequent finding was isolated left ventricular hypertrophy (n = 32, 52.4%), followed by biventricular hypertrophy (n = 12, 19.7%), valvulopathy (n = 4, 6.6%), and combined LVH with valvulopathy (n = 4, 6.6%). GH and IGF-1 levels were modestly higher in AHD patients. In multivariate analysis, hypertension (HTN) showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% CI: 0.67–4.65) for AHD, while carpal tunnel syndrome significantly increased the odds of AHD (OR 3.81, p = 0.01, 95% CI: 1.36–11.14). Conclusions: Despite therapeutic advances, AHD remains common in Colombian patients with acromegaly. Notably, carpal tunnel syndrome was independently associated with AHD, alongside HTN, arrhythmias, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings underscore the need for proactive cardiovascular screening and management strategies in this patient population.

Background: Hypothyroidism is defined as a syndrome characterized by multiple systemic manifestations, where any of the components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis may be compromised; it is a highly prevalent entity that can affect different populations, regardless of their age group and biological conditions. However, the non-specificity of its symptoms and insidious clinical course generates a challenge in daily clinical practice for the timely and adequate diagnosis, treatment or follow-up of the disease. Regardless of its etiology and classification, currently the treatment of choice is levothyroxine, with the aim of achieving biochemical control. Finally, the follow-up of the patient with hypothyroidism is fundamental to guarantee adequate control, which will allow timely detection of associated comorbidities. Purpose: Define the criteria for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hypothyroidism in Colombia. Methodology: A modified Delphi-type consensus was carried out, for which a panel of Colombian endocrinologists, experts in the management of thyroid pathologies, was chosen; Consensus management was performed by a clinical pharmacologist. The results were analyzed and discussed and, based on the achievement of consensus, the conclusions of the recommendations in the different aspects related to hypothyroidism were summarized. Results: Recommendations for the approach to patients with hypothyroidism in Colombia were obtained, including clinical suspicion, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the patient with the disease, as well as considerations in special populations from the perspective of the national health system. Conclusions: In Colombia, it is important to reduce variability in daily clinical practice, as well as to strengthen the knowledge of medical staff, from the primary care setting to highly complex care, regarding the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with hypothyroidism, in order to provide timely and appropriate management of the disease. Contexto: el hipotiroidismo se define como un síndrome caracterizado por múltiples manifestaciones sistémicas, donde cualquiera de los componentes del eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-tiroides puede estar comprometido; es una entidad altamente prevalente que puede afectar a diferentes poblaciones, independiente de su grupo etario y de sus condiciones biológicas; no obstante, la inespecificidad de sus síntomas y evolución clínica insidiosa generan un reto en la práctica clínica diaria para el oportuno y adecuado diagnóstico, tratamiento o seguimiento de la enfermedad. Independientemente de su etiología y clasificación, actualmente el tratamiento de elección es la levotiroxina (con el objetivo de alcanzar el control bioquímico). Finalmente, el seguimiento del paciente con hipotiroidismo es fundamental para garantizar el control adecuado, el cual permitirá detectar oportunamente las posibles comorbilidades asociadas. Objetivo: definir los criterios para el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el seguimiento del hipotiroidismo en Colombia. Metodología: se realizó un consenso tipo Delphi modificado, para ello se escogió un panel de médicos endocrinólogos colombianos, expertos en el manejo de las patologías tiroideas. Los resultados fueron analizados y discutidos a partir en consenso y se resumieron las conclusiones y las recomendaciones en los diferentes aspectos relacionados con el hipotiroidismo. Resultados: se obtuvieron las recomendaciones para el abordaje del paciente con hipotiroidismo en Colombia, incluyendo desde la sospecha clínica, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, hasta el seguimiento del paciente con la enfermedad, además se generaron consideraciones en poblaciones especiales desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud nacional. Conclusiones: en Colombia es importante disminuir la variabilidad en la práctica clínica diaria, así como fortalecer el conocimiento del personal médico, desde el escenario de atención primaria hasta la atención de alta complejidad, respecto al diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el seguimiento del paciente con hipotiroidismo, con el objetivo de brindar un manejo oportuno y adecuado de la enfermedad.

Contexto: la acromegalia es una enfermedad rara en la población general y habitualmente tiene una evolución clínica insidiosa, lo cual genera un reto para diagnosticar al paciente a partir de la sospecha clínica y posterior confirmación con las ayudas diagnósticas. La mayoría de pacientes con acromegalia tienen como origen de la enfermedad un tumor hipofisario secretor de hormona del crecimiento y en consecuencia el tratamiento debe estar dirigido a lograr el control bioquímico y la reducción de la masa tumoral. Finalmente, el seguimiento del paciente resulta clave para lograr el control de la enfermedad y detectar las comorbilidades asociadas. Objetivo: definir criterios para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de la acromegalia en pacientes colombianos. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un consenso tipo Delphi modificado. Participaron 10 expertos en el manejo del paciente con acromegalia (endocrinólogos y neurocirujanos) y un grupo desarrollador. Los resultados fueron analizados y discutidos. A partir de este ejercicio, se presentaron las recomendaciones en los diferentes apartados. Resultados: se obtuvieron recomendaciones acerca del seguimiento al paciente colombiano con acromegalia y el abordaje del paciente desde el sistema de salud local, la sospecha clínica, el diagnóstico bioquímico e imagenológico, el tratamiento mediante intervención quirúrgica, el tratamiento farmacológico y la radioterapia. Conclusiones: en Colombia es importante el fortalecimiento del conocimiento médico desde la atención primaria hasta el especialista en el correcto diagnóstico, manejo y seguimiento del paciente con acromegalia para lograr la detección temprana de la enfermedad y disminuir la progresión de las comorbilidades asociadas.