[Diabetes secondary to endocrinolopathies].

A number of endocrine disorders are associated with varying degrees of glucose intolerance. Sustained hypersecretion of hormones with actions antagonistic to insulin (e.g., GH, glucocorticoidos, catecholamines, glucagon) or which interfere with insulin secretion (e.g., catecholamines, hypokalemia) is often associated. And so, acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, hyperthyroidism, glucagonoma and others are included in endocrine-associated diabetes. The glucose intolerance occurring secondary to endocrine disorders is usually moderate degree and overt diabetes with symptomatic hyperglycemia is an uncommon event, unless an underlying genetic diabetic diathesis also present in the same individual. The small subgroup of acromegalics(5-10%) with severe glucose intolerance requiring insulin therapy have low endogenous insulin levels and insulin responses that are markedly impaired. It has been suggested that these patients are really true diabetics. These are patients with NIDDM. Retinal, renal and neurological complications are uncommon in patients with endocrine-associated diabetes.