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Nordenström A, Lajic S, Falhammar H. Long-Term Outcomes of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:587-598. [PMID: 35799332 PMCID: PMC9449109 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A plethora of negative long-term outcomes have been associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The causes are multiple and involve supra-physiological gluco- and mineralocorticoid replacement, excess adrenal androgens both intrauterine and postnatal, elevated steroid precursor and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, living with a congenital condition as well as the proximity of the cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2 (CYP21A2) gene to other genes. This review aims to discuss the different long-term outcomes of CAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Falhammar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Corresponding author: Henrik Falhammar. Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden Tel: +46-851776411, Fax: +46-851773096, E-mail:
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The introduction of synthetic glucocorticoids 70 years ago made survival possible in classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD). The currently used glucocorticoid therapy may lead to unphysiological dosing with negative consequencies on health in addition to the problems that may arise due to androgen over-exposure. RECENT FINDINGS Fertility in females with 21OHD seemed to be impaired, especially in the salt-wasting (SW) phenotype but when pregnancies did occur there was a higher risk for gestational diabetes and cesearean section. Increased fat mass, body mass index, insulin resistance and frequency of autoimmune disorders as well as impaired echocardiographic parameters and lower bone mineral density were found in 21OHD compared to controls. Negative effects on cognitive functions have been identified. Adrenal tumors, especially myelolipomas, were prevalent. Increased knowledge on steroid metabolism in 21OHD and urine steroid profiling may improve assessment of treatment efficacy. Nevanimibe, abiraterone acetate and anastrozole may have a place in the future management of 21OHD. Long-acting glucocorticoids may be a less favorable, especially dexamethasone. SUMMARY The various clinical outcomes need regular monitoring. Negative consequencies are to large extent the result of the unphysiological glucocorticoid replacement. Modern management with improved follow-up and future addition of new drugs may improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nordenström
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet
| | - Henrik Falhammar
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital
- Departement of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lajic S, Karlsson L, Zetterström RH, Falhammar H, Nordenström A. The Success of a Screening Program Is Largely Dependent on Close Collaboration between the Laboratory and the Clinical Follow-Up of the Patients. Int J Neonatal Screen 2020; 6:68. [PMID: 33117907 PMCID: PMC7569867 DOI: 10.3390/ijns6030068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is now performed in an increasing number of countries all over the world. The main goal of the screening is to achieve early diagnosis and treatment in order to prevent neonatal salt-crisis and death. The screening laboratory can also play an important role in increasing the general awareness of the disease and act as the source of information and education for clinicians to facilitate improved initial care, ensure prompt and correct glucocorticoid dosing to optimize the long-term outcome for the patients. A National CAH Registry and CYP21A2 genotyping provide valuable information both for evaluating the screening program and the clinical outcome. The Swedish experience is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.L.); (L.K.)
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leif Karlsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.L.); (L.K.)
- Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Rolf H Zetterström
- Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Henrik Falhammar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.L.); (L.K.)
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Karlsson L, Barbaro M, Ewing E, Gomez-Cabrero D, Lajic S. Genome-wide investigation of DNA methylation in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 201:105699. [PMID: 32428554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at risk of long-term cognitive and metabolic sequelae with some of the effects being attributed to the chronic glucocorticoid treatment that they receive. Our pilot study investigates genome-wide DNA methylation in patients with CAH to determine whether there is preliminary evidence for epigenomic reprogramming as well as any relationship to patient outcome. Here, we analysed CD4 + T cell DNA from 28 patients with CAH (mean age = 18.5 ± 6.5 years [y]) and 37 population controls (mean age = 17.0 ± 6.1 y) with the Infinium-HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array to measure genome-wide locus-specific DNA methylation levels. Effects of CAH, phenotype and CYP21A2 genotype on methylation were investigated as well as the association between differentially methylated CpGs and glucose homeostasis, blood lipid profile, and cognitive functions. In addition, we report data on a small cohort of 11 patients (mean age = 19.1, ±6.0 y) with CAH who were treated prenatally with dexamethasone (DEX) in addition to postnatal glucocorticoid treatment. We identified two CpGs to be associated with patient phenotype: cg18486102 (located in the FAIM2 gene; rho = 0.58, adjusted p = 0.027) and cg02404636 (located in the SFI1 gene; rho = 0.58, adjusted p = 0.038). cg02404636 was also associated with genotype (rho = 0.59, adjusted p = 0.024). Higher levels of serum C-peptide was also observed in patients with CAH (p = 0.044). Additionally, levels of C-peptide and HbA1c were positively correlated with patient phenotype (p = 0.044 and p = 0.034) and genotype (p = 0.044 and p = 0.033), respectively. No significant association was found between FAIM2 methylation and cognitive or metabolic outcome. However, SFI1 TSS methylation was associated with fasting plasma HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.035). In conclusion, in this pilot study, higher methylation levels in CpG sites covering FAIM2 and SFI1 were associated with disease severity. Hypermethylation in these genes may have implications for long-term cognitive and metabolic outcome in patients with CAH, although the data must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Additional studies in larger cohorts are therefore warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Karlsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit (QB83), Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michela Barbaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CMMS L7:05), Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ewoud Ewing
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Gomez-Cabrero
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit (QB83), Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit (QB83), Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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Messina V, Karlsson L, Hirvikoski T, Nordenström A, Lajic S. Cognitive Function of Children and Adolescents With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Importance of Early Diagnosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5700796. [PMID: 31927590 PMCID: PMC7343998 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are treated postnatally with lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy. Previous results on general cognitive ability in individuals with CAH have been conflicting. OBJECTIVE To evaluate long-term cognitive effects of GC replacement therapy and the impact of early diagnosis in children with CAH. DESIGN AND SETTING Observational study with patients from a single research institute. PATIENTS 32 children with CAH (mean age 11.5 years) identified through the Swedish national neonatal screening program for CAH and 52 matched population controls (mean age 10.7 years). Eleven (6 female) children with CAH who were treated prenatally with dexamethasone (DEX), (CAH-DEX) (mean age 11.7 years). INTERVENTION GC replacement therapy, neonatal screening for CAH. MEASURES Cognitive abilities assessed with standardized neuropsychological tests (Wechsler scales, Span Board Test, Stroop Interference Test, NEPSY list learning). RESULTS Children with CAH (not prenatally treated) performed equally well as population controls on a series of tests assessing general intellectual ability and executive functions. No significant differences were observed in cognitive performance between patients with different genotypes (null, non-null). Patients with salt-wasting CAH performed poorer than patients with simple virilizing CAH in a test assessing visuo-spatial working memory (P = 0.039), although the performance was within the normal range for the population. Prenatally DEX-treated girls with CAH had lower verbal intellectual ability compared with CAH girls not exposed to prenatal treatment (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION Children and adolescents with CAH who were diagnosed early via a neonatal screening program and treated with hydrocortisone had normal psychometric intelligence and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Messina
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leif Karlsson
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tatja Hirvikoski
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit for Habilitation & Health, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Dr. Svetlana Lajic at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (QB83), Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail:
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Karlsson L, Gezelius A, Nordenström A, Hirvikoski T, Lajic S. Cognitive impairment in adolescents and adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 87:651-659. [PMID: 28771762 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Impaired cognition has been reported in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), although the findings have been conflicting. It has been hypothesized that the major causes of the deficits are prenatal hormonal imbalances and/or excessive glucocorticoid treatment. DESIGN An observational study investigating cognition in patients with CAH. PATIENTS A total of 55 patients with CAH and 58 control subjects from the general population, aged 16-33 years. Nine CAH subjects had been treated prenatally with dexamethasone. SETTING Singel research institute. MEASUREMENTS Standardized neuropsychological tests (Wechsler Scales and Stroop Interference Test) and questionnaires (Barkley Deficit in Executive Functioning Scale) were used. RESULTS Compared to controls, patients with CAH had impaired performance in tests measuring verbal working memory (P = .024), visual-spatial working memory (P = .005 and P = .003) and inhibition (P = .002). In measures of fluid intelligence/nonverbal logical reasoning, males with CAH performed poorer than control males (P = .033). Patients with salt-wasting CAH performed equally compared to patients with simple virilizing CAH. However, patients with a null genotype performed poorer than patients with a non-null genotype and significantly worse on fluid intelligence/nonverbal logical reasoning (P = .042). Prenatally-treated women performed worse on most cognitive measures than women with CAH not treated prenatally. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CAH had normal psychometric intelligence but impaired executive functions compared with population controls. A null CAH genotype was associated with poorer general cognitive capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Karlsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (Q2:08), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Gezelius
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (Q2:08), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (Q2:08), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tatja Hirvikoski
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Habilitation and Health, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit (Q2:08), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Browne WV, Hindmarsh PC, Pasterski V, Hughes IA, Acerini CL, Spencer D, Neufeld S, Hines M. Working memory performance is reduced in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Horm Behav 2015; 67:83-8. [PMID: 25496755 PMCID: PMC4332548 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) experience impaired glucocorticoid production and are treated postnatally with glucocorticoids. Prior research with animals and other human populations indicates that glucocorticoids can influence memory, particularly working memory. We tested the hypothesis that children with CAH would show reduced working memory. Children in the United Kingdom, aged 7-11years, with classical CAH (31 girls, 26 boys) were compared to their unaffected relatives (30 girls, 20 boys) on a test of working memory, the Digit Span test. Vocabulary was also assessed to measure verbal intelligence for control purposes. Children with CAH showed reduced working memory performance compared to controls, on both components of the Digit Span test: p=.008 for Digit Span Forward, and p=.027 for Digit Span Backward, and on a composite score, p=.004. These differences were of moderate size (d=.53 to .70). Similar differences were also seen in a subset of 23 matched pairs of children with CAH and their relatives (d=.78 to .92). There were no group differences on Vocabulary. Glucocorticoid abnormality, including treatment effects, could be responsible for the reduced Digit Span performance in children with CAH. Other factors related to CAH, such as salt-wasting crises, could also be involved. Additional research is needed to identify the cause of the memory reduction, which will help to determine if more rapid diagnosis or more precise glucocorticoid treatment would help prevent memory reduction. Educational interventions might also be considered for children with CAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy V Browne
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Peter C Hindmarsh
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, University College London, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Vickie Pasterski
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Level 8/Box 116, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ieuan A Hughes
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Level 8/Box 116, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo L Acerini
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Level 8/Box 116, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Debra Spencer
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Neufeld
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Hines
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RQ, United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Wilcken
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Bhakhri BK, Jain V. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: as viewed by parents of affected children in India--a pilot study. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2011; 24:959-63. [PMID: 22308848 DOI: 10.1515/jpem.2011.358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A spectrum of myths and misconceptions about congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is prevalent among the parents of affected children in India. The perceptions of parents may affect several aspects of these children's management, and to explore these perceptions we carried out a cross-sectional questionnaire-based descriptive study during May 2010. Twenty-eight individuals (17 males and 11 females), parents of 22 affected children aged < 5 years, completed the questionnaire. Their responses showed the prevalence among the parents of misconceptions about CAH. These misconceptions were resulting in potentially harmful practices, and in addition there was immense societal pressure on the families as a result of ignorance and myths about the disorder. There is a need for regular CAH education and interaction programs to provide an acceptable platform for the parents and patients, where their concerns can be expressed and shared and their requirements addressed appropriately by a multidisciplinary team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhanu Kiran Bhakhri
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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