Endocrine disorders after heart transplantation: national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Endocrine disorders in patients after heart transplantation (HT) remain understudied. We aimed to assess endocrine profiles and management of HT recipients in the early post- transplant period.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 123 consecutive HT recipients in the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Programme between 2009 and 2018. All recipients had per-protocol endocrine follow-up within the first postoperative year. The median time to first post-transplant endocrine follow-up was 3 months (IQR 2-4). We assessed the incidence of vitamin D deficiency, bone mineral density, history of low energy fractures, hypogonadism in male recipients, posttransplant diabetes mellitus, and thyroid and parathyroid function.

RESULTS

We enrolled 22 women and 101 men of median age 57 years (IQR 50-63). Post-transplant diabetes mellitus developed in 14 patients (11.4%). 18 of 25 patients (14.6%) with preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus required intensification of antidiabetic therapy. 38 male patients (40.4%) had hypogonadism. 5 patients (4.6%) were hypothyroid and 10 (9.3%) latent hyperthyroid. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was present in 19 (17.3%), 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in 64 (54.7%) of patients. Osteoporosis was present in 26 (21.1%), osteopenia in 59 (48.0%) patients. 47 vertebral fractures, 3 hip and 1 humerus fractures occurred in 21 patients. Most of the patients had coincidence of two or three disorders, while less than 5% did not have any endocrine irregularities. All patients received calcium and vitamin D supplements. Forty-six patients (37.4%) were treated with zoledronic acid, 12 (9.8%) with oral bisphosphonates. Two patients were treated with teriparatide.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of multiple endocrine disorders early after heart transplantation is high. Assessment and management of increased fracture risk and all other potentially affected endocrine axes should be considered as a standard of care in this early period.

Prospective study of hippocampal volume and function in human subjects treated with corticosteroids

Purpose.

Decreased hippocampal volume reported in neuropsychiatric and endocrine disorders is considered a result of putative neuronal damage mediated by corticosteroids. This is the first prospective study of hippocampal volume and function in patients treated with corticosteroids.

Methods.

14 subjects treated systemically with prednisone or betamethasone for dermatological or rheumatic disorders underwent prospective neurocognitive testing (Auditory Verbal Learning Test—AVLT, Trail Making Test—TMT, Digit Span—DS) and nine of them also repeated magnetic resonance volumetry.

Results.

The mean duration of treatment between the first and the second assessment was 73 ± 38 days with mean daily dose of 37 ± 17 mg prednisone and 193 ± 29 days, with mean daily dose of 24 ± 15 mg prednisone between the first and the third assessment. There was a trend towards decreases in total AVLT scores and an improvement in the TMT and DS, but no significant changes in the volumes of the right or the left hippocampi between the assessments. Prednisone dose did not correlate with the hippocampal volume change.

Conclusion.

We observed a trend for decline in verbal memory despite improvement in psychomotor speed, attention/working memory and no macroscopic hippocampal volume changes during 36–238 days of treatment with therapeutic doses of corticosteroids.

Multimorbidity Analysis of 13 Systemic Diseases in Northeast China

Background: Multimorbidity not only affects the quality of patients’ lives, but can also bring a heavy economic burden to individuals, families and society. The purpose of this study was to reveal the connections between diseases, especially the important role each disease played in the entire multimorbidity network. Methods: A total of 1,155,734 inpatients were enrolled through multistage stratified random sampling in Jilin Province in 2017. Categorical variables were compared using the Rao–Scott-χ2 test. Weighted networks were adopted to present the complex relationships of multimorbidity. Results: The distributions of the number of diseases differed significantly by gender, age and health insurance scheme (P < 0.001). Diseases of the respiratory system had the highest weight in multimorbidity in young people. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and circulatory system diseases were often associated with other systemic diseases in middle aged and old people. Conclusions: Multimorbidity with respiratory system diseases in young people should not be overlooked. Additionally, effective prevention efforts that target endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and circulatory system diseases are needed in middle aged and old people.

Endocrinological Toxicity Secondary to Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (GEP-NENs)

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are increasingly recognized, characterized by prolonged survival even with metastatic disease. Their medical treatment is complex involving various specialties, necessitating awareness of treatment-related adverse effects (AEs). As GEP-NENs express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), long-acting somatostatin analogs (SSAs) that are used for secretory syndrome and tumor control may lead to altered glucose metabolism. Everolimus and sunitinib are molecular targeted agents that affect glucose and lipid metabolism and may induce hypothyroidism or hypocalcemia, respectively. Chemotherapeutic drugs can affect the reproductive system and water homeostasis, whereas immunotherapeutic agents can cause hypophysitis and thyroiditis or other immune-mediated disorders. Treatment with radiopeptides may temporarily lead to radiation-induced hormone disturbances. As drugs targeting GEP-NENs are increasingly introduced, recognition and management of endocrine-related AEs may improve compliance and the quality of life of these patients.

Beta-Thalassemia Intermedia: A Single Thalassemia Center Experience from Northeastern Iraq

OBJECTIVE

To determine the molecular characterization and disease-associated complications of beta-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq.

METHODS

A total of 159 β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq. β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq.

RESULTS

Nineteen different β-globin gene mutations arranged in 37 various genotypes were determined. The most frequent were IVS-II-I (G>A) (47.2%), followed by IVS-I-6 (T>C) (23.3%) and IVS-I-110 (G>A) (5%). Among disease-related morbidities documented, bone disease amounted to 53% (facial deformity and osteoporosis), followed by endocrinopathies 17.6% (growth retardation and subclinical hypothyroidism), cholelithiasis 13.8%, pulmonary hypertension 11.3%, and abnormal liver function test 7.5%, whereas venous thrombosis, extramedullary hemopoiesis, and leg ulcer were less frequently observed. Age ≥ 35 and female sex were risk factors for cholelithiasis, while age was an independent risk for hypothyroidism and female sex was associated with increased risk for osteoporosis. Mean serum ferritin of ≥1000 μg/L was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, whereas chelation therapy was protective for a multitude of other complications. Transfusion, on the other hand, increased the risk of osteoporosis, yet it was protective for cholelithiasis and hypothyroidism. Moreover, splenectomy was protective for cholelithiasis, although it was an independent risk for hypothyroidism. Finally, hydroxyurea was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, while it was protective for cholelithiasis. Discussion and Conclusion. β +-thalassemia mutation had contributed to 41.25 of families with a less severe β-thalassemia phenotype in the northeastern part of Iraq, justifying the need to investigate the contribution of genetic modifiers in ameliorating disease severity. In addition, the substantial number of β-TI patients developed disease-related morbidities, which necessitates the need for more appropriate clinical management with earlier intervention.β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq. μg/L was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, whereas chelation therapy was protective for a multitude of other complications. Transfusion, on the other hand, increased the risk of osteoporosis, yet it was protective for cholelithiasis and hypothyroidism. Moreover, splenectomy was protective for cholelithiasis, although it was an independent risk for hypothyroidism. Finally, hydroxyurea was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, while it was protective for cholelithiasis. Discussion and Conclusion. β +-thalassemia mutation had contributed to 41.25 of families with a less severe β-thalassemia phenotype in the northeastern part of Iraq, justifying the need to investigate the contribution of genetic modifiers in ameliorating disease severity. In addition, the substantial number of β-TI patients developed disease-related morbidities, which necessitates the need for more appropriate clinical management with earlier intervention.Discussion and Conclusion. β +-thalassemia mutation had contributed to 41.25 of families with a less severe β-thalassemia phenotype in the northeastern part of Iraq, justifying the need to investigate the contribution of genetic modifiers in ameliorating disease severity. In addition, the substantial number of β-TI patients developed disease-related morbidities, which necessitates the need for more appropriate clinical management with earlier intervention.β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq. β-TI) patients in Sulaymaniyah province, northeastern Iraq.

Endocrinopathies complicating transfusion-dependent hemoglobinopathy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and significance of different endocrinopathies in children and adolescents with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, retrospective study between January 2010 and July 2018 in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected through reviewing electronic hospital medical records then filling out data collection sheets and was interpreted through the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The total sample size was 119 patients, gender equality was almost achieved with 55.5% being male and 45.5% being female. The most common endocrinopathies were identified in the following order of short stature (39.5%), diabetes mellitus (29.4%), hypogonadism (12.6%), osteopenia (12.6%), osteoporosis (9.2%), hypothyroidism (9.2%), hypocortisolism (3.4%), and hypoparathyroidism (2.5%). All of which were statistically significant in their relationship to hemoglobinopathies with the exception of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Hypogonadism and hypocortisolism were found to be statistically significant in their relationship to a positive history of splenectomy at p=0.026 and p=0.012. Short stature was found to be statistically significant in its relationship to the male gender with a p=0.001. Conclusion: Endocrinopathy is a frequent complication of hemoglobinopathies, for which the most common were found to be short stature, diabetes mellitus,  and low bone mineral density.

Management of X-linked hypophosphatemia in adults

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is caused by mutations in the PHEX gene which result in Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FG-F23) excess and phosphate wasting. Clinically, XLH children present with rickets, bone deformities and short stature. In adulthood, patients may still be symptomatic with bone and joint pain, osteomalacia-related fractures or pseudofractures, precocious osteoarthrosis, enthesopathy, muscle weakness and severe dental anomalies. Besides these musculoskeletal and dental manifestations, adult XLH patients are also prone to secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Pathophysiology of hyperparathyroidism is only partially understood but FGF23 excess and deficient production of calcitriol likely contributes to its development. Similarly, the pathophysiological mechanisms of potential cardiovascular and metabolic involvements are not clear, but FGF-23 excess may play an essential role. Treatment should be considered in symptomatic patients, patients undergoing orthopedic or dental surgery and women during pregnancy and lactation. Treatment with oral phosphate salts and active vitamin D analogs has incomplete efficacy and potential risks. Burosumab, a recombinant human monoclonal antibody against FGF-23, has proven its efficacy in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials in adult patients with XLH, but currently its position as first line or second line treatment differ among the countries.

Age-related changes in serum reproductive hormone levels and prevalence of androgen deficiency in Chinese community-dwelling middle-aged and aging men: Two cross-sectional studies in the same population

To investigate the age-related nomograms and change trends of reproductive hormones, and prevalence of androgen deficiency (AD) in middle-aged and aging men from 2 studies.Two cross-sectional studies were conducted at 5-year intervals in Chinese community-dwelling men living in the same area. A total of 434 (Study 1, S1) and 944 (Study 2, S2) men aged 40 to 69 years were recruited as subjects and 59 (S1) and 98 (S2) men aged 20 to 39 years as controls to measure serum reproductive hormone levels.Serum total testosterone (TT) levels did not change significantly in S1, whereas TT levels increased in S2 with aging. Serum calculated free testosterone (cFT) levels gradually decreased with aging; however, only men aged 40 to 69 years showed this trend in S2. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels gradually increased, and serum testosterone secretion index (TSI) and free testosterone index (FTI) levels gradually decreased with male aging. The mean annual decrease values of serum cFT were 2.705 pmol/l in S1 and 1.060 pmol/l in S2. The cut-off values for AD in S1 and S2 were 9.13 nmol/l and 9.35 nmol/l for TT, and 169.00 pmol/l and 213.90 pmol/l for cFT. Using TT or cFT cut-off values, mean AD prevalence was 14.52% or 44.70% in S1, and 6.36% or 16.53% in S2. Based on cFT cut-off values, prevalence of AD increased gradually with male aging in a range of 25.30% to 61.63% in S1 and 1.20% to 23.03% in S2.The change patterns of serum LH, SHBG, TSI and FTI levels in middle-aged and aging males were consistent; however, there were differences in serum TT and cFT change patterns in S1 and S2 with male aging. cFT cut-off values were the optimal metric to evaluate AD, which can be present a ladder-like change in prevalence of different age groups.

Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors in a Population-Based Cohort

BACKGROUND

There are an estimated 1.4 million colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the United States. Research on endocrine and metabolic diseases over the long term in CRC survivors is limited. Obesity is a risk factor for CRC; thus it is of interest to investigate diseases that may share this risk factor, such as diabetes, for long-term health outcomes among CRC survivors.

METHODS

A total of 7114 CRC patients were identified from the Utah Population Database and matched to a general population cohort of 25 979 individuals on birth year, sex, and birth state. Disease diagnoses (assessed over three time periods of 1-5 years, 5-10 years, and >10 years) were identified using electronic medical records and statewide ambulatory and inpatient discharge data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of endocrine and metabolic disease.

RESULTS

Across all three time periods, risks for endocrine and metabolic diseases were statistically significantly greater for CRC survivors compared with the general population cohort. At 1-5 years postdiagnosis, CRC survivors' risk for diabetes mellitus with complications was statistically significantly elevated (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.36, 99% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09 to 1.70). CRC survivors also experienced a 40% increased risk of obesity at 1-5 years postcancer diagnosis (HR= 1.40, 99% CI= 1.66 to 2.18) and a 50% increased risk at 5-10 years postdiagnosis (HR = 1.50, 99% CI= 1.16 to 1.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Endocrine and metabolic diseases were statistically significantly higher in CRC survivors throughout the follow-up periods of 1-5 years, 5-10 years, and more than 10 years postdiagnosis. As the number of CRC survivors increases, understanding the long-term trajectory is critical for improved survivorship care.

Prevalence of endocrine disorders in obese patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The increasing prevalence of obesity is expected to promote the demand for endocrine testing. To facilitate evidence guided testing, we aimed to assess the prevalence of endocrine disorders in patients with obesity. The review was carried out as part of the Endocrine Work-up for the Obesity Guideline of the European Society of Endocrinology.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

METHODS

A search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and COCHRANE Library for original articles assessing the prevalence of hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism, hypogonadism (males) or hyperandrogenism (females) in patients with obesity. Data were pooled in a random-effects logistic regression model and reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Sixty-eight studies were included, concerning a total of 19.996 patients with obesity. The pooled prevalence of overt (newly diagnosed or already treated) and subclinical hypothyroidism was 14.0% (95% CI: 9.7-18.9) and 14.6% (95% CI: 9.2-20.9), respectively. Pooled prevalence of hypercortisolism was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.3-1.6). Pooled prevalence of hypogonadism when measuring total testosterone or free testosterone was 42.8% (95% CI: 37.6-48.0) and 32.7% (95% CI: 23.1-43.0), respectively. Heterogeneity was high for all analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of endocrine disorders in patients with obesity is considerable, although the underlying mechanisms are complex. Given the cross-sectional design of the studies included, no formal distinction between endocrine causes and consequences of obesity could be made.

[THE ROLE OF THE PRIMARY DOCTOR IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASES IN CHILDREN]

In the context of the reform of modern medicine, endocrine pathology is encountered not only by pediatric endocrinologists, but also by doctors of other specialties, primarily primary care doctors - pediatricians and family doctors. Currently, there is a tendency to increase the prevalence of endocrine pathologists in all age groups of the children's population of Ukraine.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To assess the frequency of detection of the most common endocrine diseases in children by primary care doctors and the timeliness of referral to a pediatric endocrinologist.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the conditions of children's outpatient clinics, 4273 children were consulted and examined, aged from 0 to 18 years. Children were evaluated anthropometric indicators, the state of the thyroid gland and sexual development. Examination of all children for the presence of endocrine pathologists and confirmation of the diagnosis were carried out on the basis of the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 254 of 04/27/2006. "On the approved protocol for the medical support of children for the specialty" Child endocrinology ".

RESULTS

Among the total number of children consulted, endocrine pathology was manifested in 36.7%. The diagnosis of newly diagnosed endocrine pathology was first confirmed in 29, 9% of children. Among endocrine pathologists, perovism is occupied by obesity - 39.9%, the second - thyroid pathology - 36.4%, the third - impaired growth - 18.3%, the fourth - impaired sexual development - 7.4%. In 40% of cases, a violation of sexual development is combined with a violation of growth. It has been established that primary care doctors in 40-50% of cases do not perform anthropometry for children at all, the state of sexual development is not evaluated in 70% of cases, which leads to an untimely referral to a pediatric endocrinologist and complicates further treatment.

FINDINGS

A high percentage of children with first diagnosed endocrine pathology at the stage of primary care and the late delivery by doctors of children to a pediatric endocrinologist was established, which is due to the lack of primary care physicians' assessment of anthropometric indicators of the child's physical development, thyroid and sexual development.

Prevalence of endocrine disorders and their associated factors in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients: a historical cohort study in Southern Iran

PURPOSE

Transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) patients suffer from various endocrinopathies. The main contributing factor associated with these complications is iron overload, secondary to frequent blood transfusions. To improve patients' quality of life, we evaluated the prevalence of endocrine disorders while considering the associated factors for further assessment.

METHODS

Seven hundred thirteen transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients with age range 10-62 years were enrolled in this study. Serum calcium, phosphorous, fast blood sugar, ferritin, 25-OH vitamin D, free thyroxin, thyroid-stimulating hormone and parathyroid hormone were assessed. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

In total, 86.8% of the TDT patients suffered from at least one endocrinopathy. The prevalence of endocrinopathies in descending order of frequency was low bone mass (72.6%), hypogonadism (44.5%), diabetes mellitus (15.9%), hypoparathyroidism (13.2%), and hypothyroidism (10.7%). Age, body mass index and splenectomy were significantly associated with most of the endocrine disorders.

CONCLUSION

Endocrine complications are frequently observed in TDT patients. Splenectomy is a major risk factor and should be generally avoided unless it is highly indicated. Periodic surveillance of endocrine function and proper management of iron overload are advised.

Autoimmune polyglandular diseases

Autoimmune polyglandular diseases (APD) are defined as the presence of two autoimmune -induced endocrine failures. With respect to the significant morbidity and potential mortality of APD, the diagnostic objective is to detect APD at an early stage, with the advantage of less frequent complications, effective therapy and better prognosis. This requires that patients at risk be regularly screened for subclinical endocrinopathies prior to clinical manifestation. Regarding the time interval between manifestation of first and further endocrinopathies, regular and long-term follow-up is warranted. Quality of life and psychosocial status are poor in APD patients and involved relatives. Familial clustering is high in patients with APD. Considering the high incidence of one or more endocrinopathies in first-degree relatives of patients with APD, family members should be regularly screened since they may also develop autoimmune endocrinopathies. Multidisciplinary management of these multiplex families in specialized centers is warranted.

Odds ratio of programmed cell death-1 or ligand 1 inhibitor-related endocrine dysfunction in patients with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

We designed the study to investigate the incidence risk of Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) or Ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor-related endocrine dysfunction in patients with lung cancer.

METHOD

All the data were collected by 1 primary reviewer and then independently reviewed by 2 secondary reviewers according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISM) guidelines. Incidence risk of all-grade and grade 3-5 PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors related endocrine dysfunction in patients with lung cancer were taken into account.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 clinical trials comprising 6108 patients were identified in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The incidence risk of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and adrenal insufficiency was higher in NSCLC patients receiving combination treatments. The incidence rate of all-grade of hypothyroidism was lower in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor subgroup compared to chemotherapy (OR = 22.62, 95%CI:9.79-52.25), while the similar result was seen in another treatment regimen (PD-1 + platinum-based chemotherapy vs platinum-based chemotherapy) (OR = 2.93, 95%CI: [2.08, 4.11). The different result can be seen in the group related to the other treatment regimen (1PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor vs 2 PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) (OR = 0.40, 95%CI:0.21-0.76). All the results of the above analysis were considered to be statistical significant. Similar result could also be seen in meta-analysis related to hyperthyroidism and adrenal insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

The incidence risk of endocrine dysfunctions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, were higher for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors group.

Long-term endocrine outcome of small for gestational age infants born to mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants and infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at an increased risk for significant morbidity and mortality, mainly metabolic disorders. We aimed to question the long-term endocrine morbidity of SGA infants born to mothers with GDM compared to SGA infants born to non- diabetic mothers. A population-based cohort study was performed to assess the risk for endocrine morbidity among children born SGA to mothers with and without GDM. The main outcome evaluated was endocrine morbidity of the offspring up to the age of 18 years, predefined in a set of ICD-9 codes. Endocrine morbidity included thyroid disease, insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, childhood obesity, parathyroid hormone disease, adrenal disease, and sex hormone disease. All SGA infants born between the years 1991 and 2014 and discharged alive from the hospital were included in the study. Multiple pregnancies, infants with congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities and mothers lacking prenatal care were excluded from the analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was constructed to compare cumulative endocrine morbidity. A Cox proportional hazards model was conducted to control for confounders. During the study period, 9312 newborn infants met the inclusion criteria, of them 259 SGA infants were born to mothers with GDM and 9053 SGA infants were born to mother without GDM. No significant differences in long-term endocrine morbidity were noted between the groups (0.8% in children born to mothers with GDM vs. 0.5% in children born to non-diabetic mothers, p = .62). Likewise, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve did not demonstrate a significantly higher cumulative incidence of endocrine morbidity in offspring of women with GDM (log rank test p=.67). In a Cox regression model, while controlling for ethnicity, hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and maternal age, delivery of an SGA neonate to mother with GDM was not associated with long-term endocrine morbidity of the offspring (adjusted HR 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.27-5.00, p=.82). SGA infants born to mothers with GDM are not at an increased risk for long-term endocrine morbidity as compared with SGA infants born to non-diabetic mothers.

Endocrine manifestations in a cohort of 63 adulthood and childhood onset patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis

OBJECTIVE

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm which can infiltrate any organ or tissue. Endocrine involvement has mostly been described in case reports and small retrospective studies. We aimed to describe endocrine manifestations in a large cohort of adulthood onset (AO) and childhood onset (CO) patients with LCH.

DESIGN

Single-center observational study conducted between January 2002 and December 2017 at Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital (Paris, France), a tertiary care hospital.

METHOD

Clinical, biological and morphological evaluations of pituitary, gonadal, adrenal and thyroid function evaluations performed in 63 consecutive patients with LCH (AO patients: 40, CO patients: 23). Fifty-eight patients underwent follow-up assessments.

RESULTS

Complete pituitary evaluation was performed in 38/63 patients (60.3%); at least one anterior pituitary dysfunction (APD) was found in 63.2% of them. In this subgroup of patients, the most prevalent deficiencies were diabetes insipidus (DI) and GHD (55.3% each), followed by gonadotropin deficiency (34.2%) and thyrotropin deficiency (23.7%). In the subgroup of the 25 incompletely evaluated patients, we found DI in 44%, GHD in 50%, gonadotropin deficiency in 30.4% and thyrotropin deficiency in 16%. APD was more common in CO patients (P = 0.003) but was not systematically associated with DI regardless of the age of onset. Endocrine dysfunction was most often permanent; moreover, occurrence of new deficiencies has been described during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of endocrine disorders appears to be large in LCH (both in AO and CO patients) and should be evaluated carefully at diagnosis and during follow-up. APD was not always associated with DI.

Review of major endocrine abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased risk of developing an endocrine disease. These endocrinopathies can closely mimic SLE symptoms ranging from fatigue to renal involvement but the treatment is often very different.

METHODS

A careful review of the PubMed and MEsH databases linking endocrine disease to SLE was performed. A retrospective analysis of the 708 SLE patient cohort at University College London Hospital (UCLH) has been completed. They have been followed for at least one year from 1978 to 2017. In our study, we report how often these endocrine diseases are identified in lupus patients compared to the general population and whether these patients with both diseases had a poorer prognosis. We have attempted to establish if the endocrine diseases develop before or after the lupus diagnosis.

RESULTS

The literature search produced some conflicting results. 708 SLE patients were included in our study. We found 67 endocrine diseases in 55 different patients of our cohort. The most common endocrinopathy was hypothyroidism (5.22%) followed by type 2 diabetes mellitus (1.41%) and hyperthyroidism (1.41%). Other endocrine disorders also identified were type 1 diabetes mellitus (0.42%) and hyperparathyroidism (0.70%). In terms of mortality, lupus patients with concomitant endocrine disease had similar outcomes compared to those without endocrine disease (16.36% died vs. 15.16%). In general terms, these endocrine diseases were developed after the lupus diagnosis. We found that the 21.8% of our SLE plus endocrinopathy patients also have an increased risk of developing a second endocrine disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We report concomitant endocrine disease in 7.76 % of our 708 SLE cohort followed, for almost 40 years, at UCLH. These patients have increased liability to develop a second endocrine disease, but overall there is no difference in terms of mortality between SLE patients with or without an endocrinopathy. It is important to capture endocrine diseases in SLE as the symptoms they cause may mimic SLE features, but require quite distinct treatment.

NAFLD in Some Common Endocrine Diseases: Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Principles of Diagnosis and Management

Secondary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defines those complex pathophysiological and clinical consequences that ensue when the liver becomes an ectopic site of lipid storage owing to reasons other than its mutual association with the metabolic syndrome. Disorders affecting gonadal hormones, thyroid hormones, or growth hormones (GH) may cause secondary forms of NAFLD, which exhibit specific pathophysiologic features and, in theory, the possibility to receive an effective treatment. Here, we critically discuss epidemiological and pathophysiological features, as well as principles of diagnosis and management of some common endocrine diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and GH deficiency. Collectively, these forms of NAFLD secondary to specific endocrine derangements may be envisaged as a naturally occurring disease model of NAFLD in humans. Improved understanding of such endocrine secondary forms of NAFLD promises to disclose novel clinical associations and innovative therapeutic approaches, which may potentially be applied also to selected cases of primary NAFLD.

Prevalence and Course of Endocrinopathy in POEMS Syndrome

CONTEXT

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma-proliferative disorder, and skin changes, among other features.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and course of endocrine dysfunction in POEMS.

DESIGN

Cohort study with systematic review of the endocrinopathy in POEMS.

SETTING

Seventy-five patients with POEMS were evaluated by the multidisciplinary team at our tertiary specialist center.

PATIENTS

Endocrine data were available for 59 patients who attended the clinic from June 1999 to May 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients had regular endocrine screening, including testing for diabetes, pituitary and thyroid dysfunction and assessment of bone metabolism.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence and survival time to develop endocrinopathy in POEMS.

RESULTS

Thirty-four (63%) patients presented with an endocrinopathy at POEMS diagnosis and 54 (92%) had at least one endocrine abnormality at follow-up. The median follow-up was 4.4 (interquartile range, 1.5, 7.9) years. The most common endocrine abnormality was hypogonadism in 68%, followed by hyperprolactinemia (56%), hypothyroidism (54%), abnormal glucose metabolism (24%), adrenal insufficiency (17%), and high IGF-1 levels (15%). Spontaneous resolution of endocrine abnormalities at the end of follow-up was observed: 14% of patients with hypogonadism; 42%, hyperprolactinemia; 34%, hypothyroidism; and 38%, high IGF-1 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Endocrinopathy was found in 63% of patients at diagnosis and in 92% of patients during follow-up in our cohort. Therefore, patients with POEMS should be systematically assessed for endocrinopathy. The most common deficiencies were hypogonadism and hypothyroidism; however, but endocrinopathy can normalize, so ongoing treatment should remain under review.

MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Childhood-onset craniopharyngioma: state of the art of care in 2018

This review presents an update on current concepts of pathogenesis, diagnostics, multidisciplinary treatment and follow-up care, with special focus on neuropsychological sequelae of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP) based on most recent publications on these topics. Recent insight in molecular pathogenesis of CP opens new perspectives on targeted therapy. Further research to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and to prevent hypothalamic involvement of CP is warranted. Surgical treatment strategies should be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving experienced teams aiming at posterior hypothalamus-sparing treatment for prevention of quality of life impairments. Centralization of CP treatment in experienced 'centers of excellence' is recommended. However, such centralization includes high thresholds concerning infrastructure not achievable in all health systems. Alternatives such as multicenter-based networks used for reference assessments should be considered to assure high standards of treatment quality. Irradiation is efficient in preventing further growth or recurrence in CP patients with residual tumor. Proton beam therapy - available on a wider range in the near future - will help to avoid radiooncological side effects. Novel insights into neuropsychological sequelae after CP should be the basis for the development of future therapeutic neuropsychological interventions. Due to the rareness of the disease, common international efforts in research and treatment are recommended and should lead to an international registry for childhood-onset CP, as a first step toward efficient coordination of scientific and clinical initiatives.

Causes, patterns and severity of androgen excess in 487 consecutively recruited pre- and post-pubertal children

Objective Androgen excess in childhood is a common presentation and may signify sinister underlying pathology. Data describing its patterns and severity are scarce, limiting the information available for clinical decision processes. Here, we examined the differential diagnostic value of serum DHEAS, androstenedione (A4) and testosterone in childhood androgen excess. Design Retrospective review of all children undergoing serum androgen measurement at a single center over 5 years. Methods Serum A4 and testosterone were measured by tandem mass spectrometry and DHEAS by immunoassay. Patients with at least one increased androgen underwent phenotyping by clinical notes review. Results In 487 children with simultaneous DHEAS, A4 and testosterone measurements, we identified 199 with androgen excess (140 pre- and 59 post-pubertal). Premature adrenarche (PA) was the most common pre-pubertal diagnosis (61%), characterized by DHEAS excess in 85%, while A4 and testosterone were only increased in 26 and 9% respectively. PCOS was diagnosed in 40% of post-pubertal subjects, presenting equally frequent with isolated excess of DHEAS (29%) or testosterone (25%) or increases in both A4 and testosterone (25%). CAH patients (6%) predominantly had A4 excess (86%); testosterone and DHEAS were increased in 50 and 33% respectively. Concentrations increased above the two-fold upper limit of normal were mostly observed in PA for serum DHEAS (>20-fold in the single case of adrenocortical carcinoma) and in CAH for serum androstenedione. Conclusions Patterns and severity of childhood androgen excess provide pointers to the underlying diagnosis and can be used to guide further investigations.

Extensive Phenotyping for Potential Weight-Inducing Factors in an Outpatient Population with Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been associated with miscellaneous weight-inducing determinants. A comprehensive assessment of known obesity-related factors other than diet and physical activity within one cohort is currently lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of potential contributors to obesity and self-reported triggers for marked weight gain in an adult population with obesity and between obesity classes.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, we assessed 408 persons with obesity (aged 41.3 ± 14.2 years, BMI 40.5 ± 6.2) visiting our obesity clinic. They were evaluated for use of weight-inducing drugs, hormonal abnormalities, menarcheal age, (high) birth weight, sleep deprivation, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We additionally assessed self-reported triggers for marked weight gain and performed genetic testing in patients suspected of genetic obesity.

RESULTS

Nearly half of the patients were using a potentially weight-inducing drug, which was also the most reported trigger for marked weight gain. For the assessed hormonal conditions, a relatively high prevalence was found for hypothyroidism (14.1%), polycystic ovary syndrome (12.0%), and male hypogonadism (41.7%). A relatively low average menarcheal age (12.6 ± 1.8 years) was reported, whereas there was a high prevalence of a high birth weight (19.5%). Sleep deprivation and OSAS were reported in, respectively, 14.5 and 13.7% of the examined patients. Obesity class appeared to have no influence on the majority of the assessed factors. Of the genetically analyzed patients, a definitive genetic diagnosis was made in 3 patients (1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

A thorough evaluation of patients with obesity yields a relatively high prevalence of various potentially weight-inducing factors. Diagnostic screening of patients with obesity could therefore benefit these patients by potentially reducing the social stigma and improving the outcomes of obesity treatment programs by tackling, where possible, the weight-inducing factors in advance.