[Edema in endocrine and metabolic diseases]

Edema develops as one of symptoms and signs in several endocrine disorders, and sometimes can be important clue in detecting the basal endocrine disorder. In patients with long-standing hypothyroidism, characteristic edematous skin changes develop and be called myxedema. In hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease, peripheral edema sometimes develop with or without heart failure. Severe eyelid puffiness composing Graves' ophthalmopathy and 'circumscribing myxedema', mostly in the pretibial regions, are also highly disease-specific disorders. In Cushing's syndrome, both adrenal and ACTH-dependent, peripheral edema is sometimes important sign leading suspicion of this syndrome. In diabetic patients, attention should be paid to edema constantly especially with nephropathy and hypertension. In diabetic nephropathy stage 3B, aggravation of renal function is often progressive. Recently the range of therapeutic options of glycemic controls has been extended with introduction of thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Weight gain and peripheral edema are recognized side effects of these drugs, particularly when used in combination with insulin. The potential risk of worsened heart failure should be taken into consideration when TZDs are used in patients with diabetes and heart diseases.