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Gasco V, Cuboni D, Varaldo E, Bioletto F, Berton AM, Bona C, Prencipe N, Ghigo E, Maccario M, Grottoli S. GHRH + arginine test and body mass index: do we need to review diagnostic criteria for GH deficiency? J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:2175-2183. [PMID: 37062055 PMCID: PMC10514141 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02081-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The proportion of patients with low GH response to provocative tests increases with the number of other pituitary hormone deficiencies, reason why in panhypopituitary patients GH stimulation tests may be unnecessary to diagnose GH deficiency (GHD) PURPOSE: To re-evaluate the diagnostic cut-offs of GH response to GHRH + arginine (ARG) test related to BMI, considering the patients' pituitary function as the gold standard for the diagnosis of GHD. METHODS The GH responses to GHRH + ARG were studied in 358 patients with history of hypothalamic-pituitary disease. GHD was defined by the presence of at least 3 other pituitary deficits (n = 223), while a preserved somatotropic function was defined by the lack of other pituitary deficits and an IGF-I SDS ≥ 0 (n = 135). The cut-off with the best sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP), was identified for each BMI category using the ROC curve analysis. To avoid over-diagnosis of GHD we subsequently searched for the cut-offs with a SP ≥ 95%. RESULTS The best GH cut-off was 8.0 μg/l (SE 95%, SP 100%) in lean, 7.0 μg/l (SE 97.3%, SP 82.8%) in overweight, and 2.8 μg/l (SE 84.3%, SP 91.7%) in obese subjects. The cut-off with a SP ≥ 95% was 2.6 μg/l (SE 68.5%, SP 96.6%) in overweight and 1.75 μg/l (SE 70.0%, SP 97.2%) in obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that evaluates the diagnostic cut-offs of GH response to GHRH + ARG related to BMI using a clinical definition of GHD as gold standard. Our results suggest that with this new approach, the GHRH + ARG cut-offs should be revised to avoid GHD over-diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Gasco
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - D. Cuboni
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - E. Varaldo
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F. Bioletto
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A. M. Berton
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - C. Bona
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - N. Prencipe
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - E. Ghigo
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M. Maccario
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - S. Grottoli
- Department of Medical Science, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Khiyami A, Mehrotra N, Venugopal S, Mahmud H, Zenonos GA, Gardner PA, Fazeli PK. IGF-1 is positively associated with BMI in patients with acromegaly. Pituitary 2023:10.1007/s11102-023-01307-6. [PMID: 36930352 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acromegaly is a disorder characterized by IGF-1 excess due to autonomous GH secretion. In individuals without acromegaly, IGF-1 is not only influenced by GH secretion but is also sensitive to other factors including nutritional status, as evidenced by the inverted U-shaped association between BMI and IGF-1; in low-weight individuals (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and those who are obese, IGF-1 levels may be frankly low. It is not known if this same relationship between BMI and IGF-1 is also observed in acromegaly. METHODS Retrospective study including patients who underwent resection of a pituitary adenoma (n = 197) for either acromegaly (n = 32) or a nonfunctioning adenoma (NFPA, n = 165) at a large academic medical center between 1/1/2015 and 5/31/2021. RESULTS Median BMI in acromegaly was 30.8 kg/m2 (range 20.9-42.6 kg/m2). Percent upper limit of normal (%ULN) IGF-1 was 228.2% [159.0, 271.4] in acromegaly versus 32.2% [18.5, 50] in NFPA (p < 0.0001). There was a significant positive association between BMI and %ULN IGF-1 (R = 0.35, p < 0.05) in acromegaly. In contrast, there was no association between BMI and %ULN IGF-1 in the NFPA group as a whole (p = 0.22), but a significant inverse association between BMI and %ULN IGF-1 in NFPA patients with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 (rho = - 0.39, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION In contrast to individuals without acromegaly, BMI is significantly and positively associated with IGF-1 in acromegaly across the weight spectrum. Future studies are needed to determine if obese patients with acromegaly experience more significant symptoms related to their disease, or if patients with a low BMI may require different diagnostic criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamil Khiyami
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neha Mehrotra
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sharini Venugopal
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hussain Mahmud
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Georgios A Zenonos
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Paul A Gardner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pouneh K Fazeli
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Prencipe N, Marinelli L, Varaldo E, Cuboni D, Berton AM, Bioletto F, Bona C, Gasco V, Grottoli S. Isolated anterior pituitary dysfunction in adulthood. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1100007. [PMID: 36967769 PMCID: PMC10032221 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is defined as a complete or partial deficiency in one or more pituitary hormones. Anterior hypopituitarism includes secondary adrenal insufficiency, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency and prolactin deficiency. Patients with hypopituitarism suffer from an increased disability and sick days, resulting in lower health status, higher cost of care and an increased mortality. In particular during adulthood, isolated pituitary deficits are not an uncommon finding; their clinical picture is represented by vague symptoms and unclear signs, which can be difficult to properly diagnose. This often becomes a challenge for the physician. Aim of this narrative review is to analyse, for each anterior pituitary deficit, the main related etiologies, the characteristic signs and symptoms, how to properly diagnose them (suggesting an easy and reproducible step-based approach), and eventually the treatment. In adulthood, the vast majority of isolated pituitary deficits are due to pituitary tumours, head trauma, pituitary surgery and brain radiotherapy. Immune-related dysfunctions represent a growing cause of isolated pituitary deficiencies, above all secondary to use of oncological drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The diagnosis of isolated pituitary deficiencies should be based on baseline hormonal assessments and/or dynamic tests. Establishing a proper diagnosis can be quite challenging: in fact, even if the diagnostic methods are becoming increasingly refined, a considerable proportion of isolated pituitary deficits still remains without a certain cause. While isolated ACTH and TSH deficiencies always require a prompt replacement treatment, gonadal replacement therapy requires a benefit-risk evaluation based on the presence of comorbidities, age and gender of the patient; finally, the need of growth hormone replacement therapies is still a matter of debate. On the other side, prolactin replacement therapy is still not available. In conclusion, our purpose is to offer a broad evaluation from causes to therapies of isolated anterior pituitary deficits in adulthood. This review will also include the evaluation of uncommon symptoms and main etiologies, the elements of suspicion of a genetic cause and protocols for diagnosis, follow-up and treatment.
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Shen YY, Ma JN, Ren ZY, Liu J, Zhou XY, Xie XR, Ren W. Effects of 18 Months of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Retrospective Study. Int J Endocrinol 2023; 2023:4988473. [PMID: 37033470 PMCID: PMC10081901 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4988473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effect of physiological dose growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is not well defined. We aimed to investigate the effects of 18 months of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) at physiological doses on BMD, body composition (BC), and quality of life (QoL). METHODS Sixty-eight patients diagnosed with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) in our hospital were included in this retrospective study. All patients received individualized rhGH replacement to maintain normal serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. BMD and BC measurements were performed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Excluding those with incomplete follow-up data, we analyzed BMD in 68 patients, as well as BC and QoL in 36 of them. RESULTS Compared with the baseline, lumbar spine BMD decreased by 0.008 g/cm2 (P=0.006) and increased by 0.011 g/cm2 (P=0.045) at month 18, and total hip BMD decreased by 0.005 g/cm2 (P=0.008) and did not change significantly from the baseline at month 18. The changes in BMD did not differ by sex, and the increase in BMD was more pronounced in patients with low Z-scores at the baseline (lumbar spine: P=0.005 and total hip: P=0.018). The percentage change from the baseline in BMD was greater for the lumbar spine than for the total hip (P=0.003). Lean body mass (LBM) increased significantly (P=0.012), total body fat ratio (TBF%) decreased significantly (P=0.011), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) decreased significantly (P=0.016), and QoL improved significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Within 18 months of treatment, bone resorption manifested first, BMD decreased to a nadir at month 6, and then it increased. The increase in BMD was greater in the lumbar spine than in the hip, and the increase was more pronounced in patients with low BMD. Eighteen months of rhGH replacement therapy significantly improved lumbar spine BMD and improved BC and QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yin Shen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia-Ni Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zi-Yu Ren
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin-Yi Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue-Rui Xie
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Association between overweight and growth hormone secretion in patients with non-functioning pituitary tumors. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267324. [PMID: 35452483 PMCID: PMC9032366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is often complicated by non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs); however, its prevalence remains unclear because preoperative screening for GHD with provocative tests is not recommended. Accordingly, we attempted to clarify the characteristics of GHD in unoperated patients with NFPT. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) and Rathke’s cyst who underwent preoperative GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) tests from January 2013 to December 2016. We investigated the association between peak GH response to GHRP-2 and background characteristics. Results Among 104 patients (85 NFPA and 19 Rathke’s cysts), 45 (43%) presented severe GHD, as diagnosed using GHRP-2 tests. Body mass index (β = -0.210, P = 0.007), free thyroxine (β = 0.440, P < 0.001), and tumor height (β = -0.254, P < 0.001) were significant variables for determining the peak GH response to GHRP-2 in multiple regression analyses. Overweight (odds ratio, 3.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–14.66) was significantly associated with severe GHD after adjustment for age, sex, creatinine, free thyroxine, tumor height and clinical diagnosis. The regression slopes between tumor height and peak GH response to GHRP-2 significantly differed between overweight patients and non-overweight individuals, as determined by analysis of covariance (P = 0.040). In the 48 patients who underwent postoperative GHRP-2 tests, severe postoperative GHD was significantly more common in overweight patients than non-overweight individuals (100% vs. 48%, P < 0.001). Conclusion We observed a negative synergistic effect between overweight and tumor size on GH secretion in patients with NFPTs, indicating that GH provocation tests for diagnosing underestimated GHD could be considered in overweight unoperated patients with large NFPTs.
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Yeoh P, Dwyer AA, Anghel E, Bouloux PM, Khoo B, Chew S, Wernig F, Carroll P, Aylwin SJB, Baldeweg SE, Drake W, Todd J, Mangena L, Grossman A. A Comparison of the Blood Glucose, Growth Hormone, and Cortisol Responses to Two Doses of Insulin (0.15 U/kg vs. 0.10 U/kg) in the Insulin Tolerance Test: A Single-Centre Audit of 174 Cases. Int J Endocrinol 2022; 2022:7360282. [PMID: 35465075 PMCID: PMC9019435 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7360282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold standard endocrine test used to assess the integrity of the growth hormone (GH) and cortisol axes. The ITT has potential risks, and severe hypoglycaemia may necessitate intravenous glucose rescue. There is no clear consensus as to the optimal insulin dose for the ITT. Therefore, we sought to compare the standard dose (0.15 U/kg) and a low-dose ITT (0.1 U/kg). DESIGN Single-centre audit of ITT data (2012-2021). Patients and Measurements. Patients who underwent an ITT to assess possible GH deficiency/adrenal insufficiency were included. Glucose, GH, and cortisol were measured at baseline and 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes following I.V. insulin bolus (0.15 U/kg or 0.10 U/kg). RESULTS Of the ITTs performed, only 3/177 (1.7%) did not achieve adequate hypoglycaemia (≤2.2 mmol/L) with a single insulin dose. In total, 174 patients (43.5 ± 12.1 yrs, mean ± standard deviation) were included for analysis (0.15 U/kg: n = 113, 0.10 U/kg: n = 61). All 174 subjects had adequate hypoglycaemia regardless of baseline fasting blood glucose level or insulin dose. Neither nadir glucose nor glucose delta (i.e., baseline minus nadir) differed between insulin doses. Trends in both cortisol and GH responses over time were similar between groups, and a greater proportion of patients receiving the standard dose had an adequate cortisol response (77/106 (72.6%) vs. 32/60 (53.3%), p=0.01). The rates of glucose rescue did not differ in a subset of 79 patients, with on-demand glucose rescue in 4/35 (11%) for the standard dose and 2/44 (5%) for the low dose (p=0.25). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the low-dose ITT produces comparable glucose, cortisol, and GH responses to the higher dose. Given the risks associated with hypoglycaemia, the low dose appears to be preferable to the standard dose ITT in most circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Yeoh
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew A. Dwyer
- Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
- Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ella Anghel
- Boston College, Department of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Pierre M. Bouloux
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Bernard Khoo
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Shern Chew
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- OneWelbeck Endocrine Partners, London, UK
| | - Florian Wernig
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Paul Carroll
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Simon J. B. Aylwin
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stephanie E. Baldeweg
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, University College London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - William Drake
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Barts Health NHS Trust, Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jeannie Todd
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Ashley Grossman
- The London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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Bioletto F, Prencipe N, Berton AM, Bona C, Parasiliti-Caprino M, Faletti R, Ghigo E, Grottoli S, Gasco V. MRI Assessment of Cardiac Function and Morphology in Adult Patients With Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:910575. [PMID: 35757407 PMCID: PMC9226436 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.910575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adult GH deficiency (GHD) has been described as a heterogeneous condition characterized by many clinical modifications, such as metabolic alterations, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. The clinical relevance of cardiac involvement remains, however, only partially elucidated. METHODS PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library, OVID and CINAHL databases were systematically searched until February 2022 for studies evaluating cardiac function and morphology by magnetic resonance imaging in adult patients with GHD. Effect sizes were pooled through a random-effect model. RESULTS Four studies were considered in the meta-analysis. With respect to the left ventricle, GHD patients were characterized by a lower stroke-volume-index (-3.6 ml/m2, standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.60, 95%CI [-1.15,-0.05], p=0.03), lower end-diastolic-volume-index (-6.2 ml/m2, SMD -0.54, 95%CI [-0.97,-0.10], p=0.02) and, after accounting for possible biases, lower mass-index (-15.0 g/m2, SMD -1.03, 95%CI [-1.89,-0.16], p=0.02). With respect to the right ventricle, a lower end-diastolic-volume-index (-16.6 ml/m2, SMD -1.04, 95%CI [-2.04,-0.03], p=0.04) and a borderline-significant lower stroke-volume-index (-5.0 ml/m2, SMD -0.84, 95%CI [-1.77,0.08], p=0.07) could be observed. Data about the effect of GH replacement therapy highlighted a significant increase in left ventricular mass-index after treatment initiation (+3.7 g/m2, 95%CI [1.6,5.7], p<0.01). CONCLUSION With respect to the left ventricle, our results confirmed those retrieved by echocardiographic studies. In addition, significant alterations were demonstrated also for the right ventricle, for which echocardiographic data are nearly absent. This supports the thesis of a biventricular cardiac involvement in patients with GHD, with a similar pattern of morphological and functional alterations in both ventricles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bioletto
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- *Correspondence: Fabio Bioletto, , orcid.org/0000-0001-7550-7023
| | - Nunzia Prencipe
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maria Berton
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Bona
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mirko Parasiliti-Caprino
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Faletti
- Radiology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ezio Ghigo
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Grottoli
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Gasco
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Caputo M, Mele C, Ferrero A, Leone I, Daffara T, Marzullo P, Prodam F, Aimaretti G. Dynamic Tests in Pituitary Endocrinology: Pitfalls in Interpretation during Aging. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:1-14. [PMID: 33454712 DOI: 10.1159/000514434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aging and age-related diseases represent hot topics of current research. Progressive damage in morphology and function of cells and tissue characterizes the normal process of aging that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The ability of each individual to adapt to these stressors defines the type of aging and the onset of age-related diseases (i.e., metabolic syndrome, inflammatory disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases). The endocrine system plays a critical role in this process because of its complex relationships with brain, immune system, and skeletal muscle; thus, alterations in hormonal networks occur during aging to maintain homeostasis, with consequent under- or overactivity of specific hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral hormone axes. On the other hand, the increase in life expectancy has led to increasing incidence of age-related diseases, including endocrine disorders, which may prompt assessment of endocrine function in aging individuals. In this context, there is growing awareness that natural changes of endocrine physiology and physiopathology occurring with increasing age may necessitate age-driven diagnostic cutoffs requiring validation in the elderly. This review aims to analyze the available literature on the hormone response to the most important dynamic tests currently used in the clinical practice for the screening of anterior pituitary-related diseases to underline pitfalls in interpretation during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Caputo
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,
| | - Chiara Mele
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Alice Ferrero
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Leone
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Tommaso Daffara
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo Marzullo
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratory of Metabolic Research, Novara/Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Prodam
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Aimaretti
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
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Gasco V, Cambria V, Bioletto F, Ghigo E, Grottoli S. Traumatic Brain Injury as Frequent Cause of Hypopituitarism and Growth Hormone Deficiency: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:634415. [PMID: 33790864 PMCID: PMC8005917 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.634415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related hypopituitarism has been recognized as a clinical entity for more than a century, with the first case being reported in 1918. However, during the 20th century hypopituitarism was considered only a rare sequela of TBI. Since 2000 several studies strongly suggest that TBI-mediated pituitary hormones deficiency may be more frequent than previously thought. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the most common abnormality, followed by hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hypocortisolism, and diabetes insipidus. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pituitary damage in TBI patients include a primary injury that may lead to the direct trauma of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland; on the other hand, secondary injuries are mainly related to an interplay of a complex and ongoing cascade of specific molecular/biochemical events. The available data describe the importance of GHD after TBI and its influence in promoting neurocognitive and behavioral deficits. The poor outcomes that are seen with long standing GHD in post TBI patients could be improved by GH treatment, but to date literature data on the possible beneficial effects of GH replacement therapy in post-TBI GHD patients are currently scarce and fragmented. More studies are needed to further characterize this clinical syndrome with the purpose of establishing appropriate standards of care. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge about post-traumatic GH deficiency.
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Bioletto F, Parasiliti-Caprino M, Berton AM, Prencipe N, Cambria V, Ghigo E, Grottoli S, Gasco V. Development and Internal Validation of a Predictive Model for Adult GH Deficiency Prior to Stimulation Tests. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:737947. [PMID: 34630332 PMCID: PMC8498109 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.737947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (GHD) relies on a reduced GH response to provocative tests. Their diagnostic accuracy, however, is not perfect, and a reliable estimation of pre-test GHD probability could be helpful for a better interpretation of their results. METHODS Eighty patients showing concordant GH response to two provocative tests, i.e. the insulin tolerance test and the GHRH + arginine test, were enrolled. Data on IGF-I values and on the presence/absence of other pituitary deficits were collected and integrated for the estimation of GHD probability prior to stimulation tests. RESULTS An independent statistically significant association with the diagnosis of GHD was found both for IGF-I SDS (OR 0.34, 95%-CI 0.18-0.65, p=0.001) and for the presence of other pituitary deficits (OR 6.55, 95%-CI 2.06-20.83, p=0.001). A low (<25%) pre-test GHD probability could be predicted when IGF-I SDS > +0.91 in the presence of other pituitary deficits or IGF-I SDS > -0.52 in the absence of other pituitary deficits. A high (>75%) pre-test GHD probability could be predicted when IGF-I SDS < -0.82 in the presence of other pituitary deficits or IGF-I SDS < -2.26 in the absence of other pituitary deficits. CONCLUSION This is the first study that proposes a quantitative estimation of GHD probability prior to stimulation tests. Our risk class stratification represents a simple tool that could be adopted for a Bayesian interpretation of stimulation test results, selecting patients who may benefit from a second stimulation test and possibly reducing the risk of wrong GHD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bioletto
- *Correspondence: Fabio Bioletto, ; orcid.org/0000-0001-7550-7023
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