Esicon 2012,Kolkata: The best of Indian Endocrinology

Abstract

It has been 42 years since the first ESICON was held. Over the years, ESICON has grown from strength to strength in becoming the largest national forum for endocrinologists in India. Amongst all the sub-specialties of medicine, endocrinology has the strongest association with global health, be it diabetes, thyroid disorders or osteoporosis. It covers the entire gamut of medical science and is one of the fastest developing fields in medical research, worldwide. This annual program is designed to update endocrinologists on recent advances and practices in the field of endocrinology, as well as encourage research in endocrinology. ESICON 2012 has invited eminent national speakers and speakers from across the globe, in order to create a platform for academic interaction between researchers, clinicians and trainees. To establish ESICON as one of the premier endocrine meetings we need to collaborate and exchange ideas with other renowned societies across the world. Thyroid ultrasonography is a well established diagnostic tool in the hands of practicing clinical endocrinologists in the west especially USA. For the first time in an ESICON meeting, we have arranged for a hands-on thyroid ultrasound training mainly focusing on trainees. The Endocrine Society has agreed to conduct this program. Moreover, we have also arranged for a short training in medical statistics, which will enable young researchers to develop their analytical skills and facilitate international publications. Workshops on clinical genetics and insulin pumps are also been organized. Another key feature of ESICON is the oral communications and poster presentations by researchers in the field of endocrinology. This year, more than hundred abstracts will be presented in the meeting. The topics of research papers cover the entire spectrum of endocrinology from diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, bone to reproductive and pediatric endocrinology. For the first time since its inception, we are publishing a special conference edition of Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The main focus of this edition is the brief communications of the papers to be presented as abstracts in the meeting. The objective of this supplement is to give a fillip to research activity in India. We have received brief communications from all over India that gives a perspective on varied endocrine researches covering all fields of endocrinology. We have epidemiological research papers ranging from dyshormonogenetic goiter, hypothyroidism after external beam radiation, empty sella syndrome to hyperparathyroidism, cardiovascular risk (CV) risk in PCOS. We have basic research papers like association of severity of diabetic neuropathy with serum sFasL level, characterization of GH1 gene in isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and use of urinary cortisol creatinine ratio as a novel diagnostic tool in Cushing's syndrome. In the area of intervention, we have a huge variety from effect of vitamin D fortification in school children, selenium substitution in autoimmune thyroid disease and also effect of ileal interposition and sleeve gastrectomy in diabetes treatment, to name a few. Numerous interesting case reports with learning issues like De Morseir syndrome, gigantism and pachydermoperiostosis have also been illustrated. Endocrinology cuts across different disciplines of medicine and requires integrated inputs from fields like genetics, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, molecular biology just like the hormones that act like chemical messengers influencing the whole of our systems biology. This supplement aims to provide the most up-to-date information in various aspects of endocrinology to practicing endocrinologists, trainees and researchers alike. Basic science topics like calcium sensing receptors, molecular pathology of pituitary tumors have been given due importance as has diagnostic issues like FRAX, vitamin D assay, clinical management concerns like management of diabetes insipidus, osteoporosis, neonatal hypoglycemia and futuristic topics like stem cell therapy in diabetes, thyromimetics. It is a great honor for the organizing committee to have eminent experts in the field of endocrinology from India and across the world to deliver lectures in ESICON 2012. The recent advances and clinical practice guidelines from experts in different fields of endocrinology have been incorporated as mini reviews in this edition. We wish to thank all authors including the young researchers and eminent speakers for their time and effort in providing up to date information and concise review relating to all fields of endocrinology. Without their valuable inputs, this edition would not have seen the light of the day. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the editor of the journal who has given us this opportunity.