Publications by authors named "Roberto Attanasio"

Objective: A relationship among hypothyroidism and lipid disorders is well established. However, current evidence and guidelines do not support the use of thyroid hormones (TH) in euthyroid patients with hyperlipidaemia as potential harms are considerable. This European survey investigated the use of TH in euthyroid patients with severe hypercholesterolemia as a complementary treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The practice of treating hypothyroid and euthyroid patients with thyroid hormones varies between countries, as observed in the recent surveys of European thyroid experts, THESIS. As part of the THESIS initiative, we investigated Canadian endocrinologists' perspectives on this topic, focusing on combination therapy with either liothyronine (LT3) plus levothyroxine (LT4) or desiccated thyroid extract (DTE).

Design: Members of the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder, primarily caused by single adenomas or multiglandular disease. This study evaluates the economic impact of different PHPT treatment approaches from both the Italian National Health Service and societal perspectives.

Methods: A micro-costing approach was used to estimate the costs of surgical and non-surgical treatments.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: The present guideline (GL) is aimed to improve and standardize the treatment of primary hypothyroidism in non-pregnant adults and to offer all the patients the best possible care across the Italian country.

Target Population: Non-pregnant adults with hypothyroidism.

Excluded Population: This GL does not cover the treatment of hypothyroidism in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor in subjects with central hypothyroidism.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Levothyroxine (LT4) is the established treatment for hypothyroidism but some controversies, such as whether combining it with liothyronine (LT3) for hypothyroid patients and whether prescribing it to euthyroid patients, exist on its use. This survey was conducted to investigate current trends about thyroid hormone use in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients in Japan. Members of the Japan Thyroid Association (JTA) were invited to participate in an online questionnaire based on the THESIS (Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: An International Survey) survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Benign thyroid nodules are common in adults, with incidental detection rates reaching 50-60% in women. While most nodules are asymptomatic and require no treatment, some grow and cause compressive symptoms.

Objective: This study evaluates the economic impact of various treatment modalities for benign thyroid nodules within the Italian healthcare system, comparing total thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy, and minimally invasive thermal ablation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Several thyroid hormone formulations are available for treatment of hypothyroidism. This study aimed at evaluating the use of these treatment options by Israeli endocrinologists in various clinical scenarios.

Methods: Israeli Endocrine Society members were invited to participate in a web-based questionnaire, Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: An International Survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • An online survey of European thyroid specialists revealed that 28% believe thyroid hormone (TH) treatment may be appropriate for euthyroid patients with growing simple goiters, despite guidelines against this practice.
  • There were significant regional differences in support for TH treatment, with only 7% in The Netherlands compared to 78% in the Czech Republic.
  • Factors influencing the likelihood of recommending TH included the specialist's age and the historical iodine insufficiency of their region, while gender, country, and economic factors showed weak associations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to assess how European thyroid specialists view levothyroxine (LT4) treatment for euthyroid women with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) to improve fertility, as current evidence does not support this practice.
  • - An international survey (THESIS) revealed that 42.8% of over 2,316 respondents believe LT4 might be indicated for these patients, with significant variation across countries, highlighting a range from 22.9% to 83.7% of positive responses.
  • - Factors such as gender, age, and clinical experience influenced opinions; younger specialists and those who treat more thyroid patients were more likely to consider LT4, raising concerns about potential overtreatment risks in
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common disease, frequently diagnosed in post-menopausal women, among whom Osteoporosis (OP) is a common finding. To date, no study has specifically evaluated the asymptomatic PHPT (aPHPT) patients without OP, in particular post-menopausal women who are exposed to an increased risk of developing OP.

Design: This study involved a retrospective cross-sectional evaluation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The guideline is designed to help healthcare professionals manage sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in adults, excluding cases during pregnancy.
  • Developed through a systematic review process, the guideline focuses on identifying critical outcomes that impact treatment decisions, emphasizing pharmacological and surgical options.
  • Key recommendations include recommending parathyroidectomy for symptomatic patients or those with specific criteria, while also providing guidance for monitoring other related health issues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine condition usually managed with levothyroxine (LT4). However, controversy remains around the use of liothyronine (LT3). We aimed to investigate the practices of Australian endocrinologists when managing patients with hypothyroidism, their use of LT3 + LT4 combination therapy and use of thyroid hormones in euthyroid patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hypothyroidism is common, however, aspects of its treatment remain controversial. Our survey aimed at documenting treatment choices of European thyroid specialists and exploring how patients' persistent symptoms, clinician demographics, and geo-economic factors relate to treatment choices. Seventeen thousand two hundred forty-seven thyroid specialists from 28 countries were invited to participate in an online questionnaire survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Prolactinoma, the most common pituitary adenoma, is usually treated with dopamine agonist (DA) therapy like cabergoline. Surgery is second-line therapy, and radiotherapy is used if surgical treatment fails or in relapsing macroprolactinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to provide economic evidence for the management of prolactinoma in Italy, using a cost-of-illness and cost-utility analysis that considered various treatment options, including cabergoline, bromocriptine, temozolomide, radiation therapy, and surgical strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Thyroid specialists influence how hypothyroid patients are treated, including patients managed in primary care. Given that physician characteristics influence patient care, this study aimed to explore thyroid specialist profiles and associations with geo-economic factors.

Methods: Thyroid specialists from 28 countries were invited to respond to a questionnaire, Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: an International Survey (THESIS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: This guideline (GL) is aimed at providing a reference for the management of prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary adenoma in adults. However, pregnancy is not considered.

Methods: This GL has been developed following the methods described in the Manual of the Italian National Guideline System.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Obesity is a global pandemic and is cause of serious concern in all regions of the world. It is important to raise the attention of health care professionals in order to provide early treatment of patients with obesity. Obesity management, however, varies greatly amongst endocrinologists with respect to attitudes to diagnosis and treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: This guideline (GL) is aimed at providing a reference for the management of non-functioning, benign thyroid nodules causing local symptoms in adults outside of pregnancy.

Methods: This GL has been developed following the methods described in the Manual of the National Guideline System. For each question, the panel appointed by Associazione Medici Endocrinology (AME) identified potentially relevant outcomes, which were then rated for their impact on therapeutic choices.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Replacement of thyroid hormones (TH) with Levothyroxine (LT4) is the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism, however, there are aspects of treatment where uncertainties exist and practice varies. Factors influencing initiation and choice of TH replacement may impact patient satisfaction, safety, and health care costs.

Methods: The aim of the study was to examine the attitudes of Irish endocrinologists regarding the treatment of hypothyroid and euthyroid patients with TH.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: Metformin is the most widely used drug for the first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its use and schedule have been poorly investigated in elderly patients.

Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicentric study on metformin in T2DM outpatients older than 65 years who were taking the drug for at least 6 months and referred to Italian Endocrinology and Diabetology Services. The primary endpoint was daily metformin dose, and secondary endpoints were the correlations between metformin dose and age, comorbidities, and concomitant use of other drugs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hypothyroidism is one of the leading conditions in endocrinology. Despite that fact, clinical indications for treatment still vary among Spanish specialists.

Aims: To identify attitudes of Spanish specialists relating to the use of levothyroxine (LT4) and the management of hypothyroidism.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Management of hypothyroidism is controversial because of medication cost pressures and scientific uncertainty on how to address treatment dissatisfaction experienced by some patients. The objective was to investigate the experience and preferences of UK endocrinologists in use of thyroid hormones.

Design: Web-based survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To identify the attitudes of German thyroid specialists towards the clinical treatment of hypothyroidism using thyroid hormones (TH).

Methods: All members of the thyroid section of the German Endocrine Society (DGE) were e-mailed an invitation to participate in a web-based survey about substitution with TH.

Results: Out of 206 members of the DGE's thyroid section, 163 (79.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Inconsistencies in the management of hypothyroidism have been reported among endocrinologists in different European countries. Aim of this study was to explore Czech endocrinologists' use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients.

Methods: We used a web-based survey containing 32 questions regarding the use of thyroid hormones.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF