ROMA (ITALPRESS) – In Italy the diseases of the endocrine system – involving glands, hormones and metabolism – represent a much more widespread phenomenon than we imagine. Every year millions of men, women and children live with conditions such as thyroid dysfunctions, diabetes and osteoporosis, with a huge impact on daily life, health and social costs. Thyroid diseases concern more than six million Italians and affect the female world more frequently: In some regions 15% of women have a thyroid disorder, often due to alterations in menstrual cycle, ovulation and ability to conceive or complete pregnancy. In 2024 11,378 new cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed (8,322 in women and 3.056 in men), with a triple risk in women and a peak in incidence between 40 and 60 years. Although most cases have favorable prognosis, a high number of patients need replacement therapy and time monitoring. In 2022 there were 236,000 people in Italy with previous malignant thyroid cancer (source: “The numbers of cancer in Italy”, AIOM-AIRTUM). The Italian endocrinology, commented on the current president of AME Andrea Frasoldati, gave an appointment to the National Congress 2025, which this year exceeded the milestone of the 1500 participants. A result that confirms the centrality of the event for doctors, researchers and health professionals.” “The management of thyroid tumour is now led by the new ATA Guidelines (American Thyroid Association) on the differentiated thyroid carcinoma, which we presented at the Congress – says Rinaldo Guglielmi, Coordinator of the Tiroide AME Commission, at the Congress of the National Association of Endocrinologist Doctors that took place in Rome. The new indications favour conservative management strategies, with attention to the risk-benefit ratio of intervention and quality of life, especially in low-risk patients.” Thyroid pathology of great impact, although not mortal, is the primary hypothyroidism, whose prevalence is estimated around 5% of the general population – about 2.5 million people. “The Guidelines 2025 of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) clarify the management of a problem apparently simple but with a strong impact on the quality of life and socio-sanitary costs,” says Enrico Papini, Coordinator of the AME Scientific Committee. Analyze the ethical and practical aspects of its use, with the aim of ensuring responsible and safe use. The AI will not replace the doctor but can support it, simplifying diagnostic and communication processes with patients, without neglecting the protection of sensitive data. Italy is fourth in Europe for the prevalence of overweight and childhood obesity. The recent approval of the Pella Law (No 149/2025) recognizes obesity as chronic disease. “Obesity remains a silent emergency in Italy that involves more than six million people – explains Marco Chianelli, coordinator of the AME Obesity Commission – and serve effective prevention and treatment measures.” The law, which incorporates obesity in the Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA), provides for admissions, exemptions and drugs to the National Health Service, as well as the creation of a National Observatory and prevention programs. New therapies – such as semaglutide and tirzepathy – allow an average reduction in body weight by 15-20% and improve metabolic complications. Prematurely treating obesity means avoiding diabetes, heart attacks and osteoarthritis, reducing social and health costs. A highly debated theme involving scientific society, civil society and politics is that of endocrine interfering (IE). They are chemical, natural or artificial, capable of altering the hormonal balance with harmful effects on human health and the environment. “IE strikes above all the most vulnerable subjects, such as fetuses and adolescents – explains Agostino Paoletta, National Secretary AME -. The main sources of exposure are pesticides, plastics, cosmetics and persistent environmental pollutants.” Documented effects include infertility, sexual abnormalities, obesity, diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders. Since 2018 the European Union has introduced scientific criteria to identify and limit these substances, with the aim of extending standards to all sectors, from cosmetics to toys, for a uniform protection of citizens and the environment. The Congress program provided “hands-on” courses on thyroid ultrasound, andrology, artificial intelligence and telemedicine, as well as “refreshment” dedicated to internal medicine themes such as heart failure and chronic kidney failure. The “Minicorsi”, replicated several times, offered insights on obesity, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, sexuality disorders and diabetes. Plenary sessions hosted international speakers, including Professor Kevan Herold (Yale School of Medicine), who spoke of immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes, and Professor Annunziata Lapolla, who illustrated the new European guidelines on pregnancy in diabetic patients. In addition to scientific themes, there is also room for reflections on obesity, diabetes, gender violence and safety of health professionals. “A twenty-five years after the foundation, AME confirms its mission to promote continuous training and comparison between Italian endocrinology specialists,” concludes Frasoldati.
– Freepick photos – AME Press Office – (ITALPRESS).
