Female gonadal function before and after treatment of acromegaly

Fertility in Acromegaly: A Single-Center Experience of Female Patients During Active Disease and After Disease Remission

CONTEXT

Fertility represents a major concern in patients with acromegaly.

OBJECTIVE

The current retrospective study aimed to investigate gonadal function and fertility rates in acromegalic women.

METHODS

In this referral-center study, 50 acromegalic women with disease onset within reproductive age were evaluated for prevalence of gonadal dysfunction and infertility. Anthropometric, metabolic, hormonal parameters, and gynecological ultrasound were evaluated at diagnosis and after disease control. Data about menstrual disturbances, pregnancy, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) were investigated at disease onset, at diagnosis, and after disease control.

RESULTS

At presumed disease onset, menstrual disturbances were reported in 32% of patients. Uterine leiomyoma, ovarian cysts, and PCOM were diagnosed in 18%, 12%, and 8%, respectively; 36.8% of patients were infertile. At diagnosis, menstrual disturbances were found in 58.1% (P = .02), being significantly more prevalent in patients with higher insulin-like growth factor-I quartiles (Q) (P = .03, Q1 vs Q4). Gynecological ultrasound revealed uterine leiomyoma, ovarian cysts, and PCOM in 39.1% (P = .04), 28.2% (P = .09), and 13% (P = .55), respectively. The infertility rate was 100% (P = .02). At disease control, menstrual disturbances were slightly decreased as compared to diagnosis (P = .09). Noteworthy, menstrual disturbances (P = .05) and particularly amenorrhea (P = .03) were significantly more frequent in patients with active disease duration greater than 5 years (median) as compared to those achieving disease control in less than 5 years. Among patients with pregnancy desire, 73.3% conceived at least once, with resulting infertility significantly decreased compared to diagnosis (26.7%; P = .01). At-term deliveries, preterm deliveries, and spontaneous abortions were recorded in 86.7%, 6.6%, and 6.6%, respectively, of the 15 pregnancies reported by the patients. No neonatal malformations and/or abnormalities were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Gonadal dysfunction and infertility are common in acromegalic women within reproductive age, being directly influenced by disease status and/or duration.

Safety of pregnancy in acromegaly patients and maternal and infant outcomes after pregnancy: single-center experience from China and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy in acromegaly is uncommon and still in debate for fear of tumor progression or potential threat to both mother and fetus's health. Besides, the data for pregnancy complications in uncontrolled acromegaly is limited. Thus, the objective of this study was to summarize pregnancy safety and disease courses after pregnancy in acromegalic patients and review their clinical characteristics based on disease activity in the literature.

METHODS

An evaluation of eight acromegalic women from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) with 11 pregnancies was conducted. We also summarized a literature review of 82 disease-active pregnancies and 63 disease-controlled pregnancies with acromegaly. A second analysis was conducted to compare pregnancy courses and outcomes in different disease activities.

RESULTS

Before pregnancy, all patients had macroadenomas and underwent pituitary surgery. Pregnancy occurred at a median of 6 years (4-10) after the diagnosis of acromegaly. Assisted reproductive therapy was needed in 42.9% of participants. No cases had a premature birth or congenital malformations. Biochemical control was achieved in 50% of females before pregnancy and 75% at the last follow-up after delivery. Data analysis showed no differences in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) between acromegaly-active or acromegaly-controlled groups. The GDM prevalence in patients diagnosed during pregnancy (33.3%) was higher than that in patients diagnosed before pregnancy (4.8%) (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy without biochemical control in acromegaly and receiving medical treatment during pregnancy are not rare and generally safe for the fetus. There could be a higher prevalence of PIH in acromegalic pregnancies. The treatment of acromegaly and related complications can be managed with regular follow-up after pregnancy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome preceding the diagnosis of acromegaly: a retrospective study in 97 reproductive-aged women

BACKGROUND

Acromegaly is a disease of growth hormone excess that results in enlargement of extremities, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, and gonadal disruption. Manifestations of the disease are insidious and typically lead to a diagnostic delay of 7-10 years. Classically the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotype is described in women with irregular menses, clinical or biochemical evidence of androgen excess, and/or multiple ovarian follicles on pelvic ultrasonography. Women with acromegaly may present with some or all of these symptoms. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of PCOS in patients with acromegaly and to determine if diagnosis of PCOS results in a delay in diagnosing acromegaly.

METHODS

Using patient databases at two academic health centers, we identified 97 premenopausal women aged 18-49 years old presenting with acromegaly. Data were collected regarding pelvic sonography and reproductive history, including the diagnosis of PCOS. Patients carrying the diagnosis of PCOS before their diagnosis of acromegaly were identified and the remaining patients were screened using the Rotterdam criteria to identify additional patients meeting the criteria for PCOS prior to their diagnosis of acromegaly.

RESULTS

Mean age of the population (n = 97) at the time of diagnosis of acromegaly was 33.4 ± 7.5 years (SD). Thirty-three percent of patients (n = 32) either carried a diagnosis of PCOS or met diagnostic criteria for PCOS before their diagnosis of acromegaly. In the subset of patients in whom data on symptom onset were available, those who met criteria for PCOS were diagnosed with acromegaly a median of 5 years [4, 9] after the onset of symptoms compared to 2 years [0.92, 3] (p =  0.006) in the patients who did not meet criteria for PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of PCOS in reproductive-aged women with acromegaly and a longer time to diagnosis in women who meet the clinical criteria for PCOS. As screening for acromegaly is relatively simple and done with measurement of a random, non-fasting IGF-1 level that can be drawn at any time during the menstrual cycle, screening patients with PCOS for acromegaly may lessen the delay in diagnosis for reproductive-aged women with this disease.

Acromegaly: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas that cause acromegaly arise as monoclonal expansions of differentiated somatotroph cells and are usually sporadic. They are almost invariably benign, yet they can be locally invasive and show progressive growth despite treatment. Persistent excess of both growth hormone and its target hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) results in a wide array of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and neoplastic comorbidities that might not be reversible with disease control. Normalisation of IGF-1 and growth hormone are the primary therapeutic aims; additional treatment goals include tumour shrinkage, relieving symptoms, managing complications, reducing excess morbidity, and improving quality of life. A multimodal approach with surgery, medical therapy, and (more rarely) radiation therapy is required to achieve these goals. In this Review, we examine the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of acromegaly, with an emphasis on the importance of tailoring management strategies to each patient to optimise outcomes.

Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Patients With Acromegaly: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A few recent studies have reported an association between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and neurodegenerative disease, but there was no report on any association between acromegaly and neurodegenerative disease. We investigated whether the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases was increased among patients with acromegaly using nationwide data of Korea.

METHODS

We studied the association between acromegaly and Parkinson disease and dementia in 1,611 patients with acromegaly and controls (age-matched and sex-matched 8,055 participants with no diagnosis of acromegaly) from the National Health Insurance System database between 2006 and 2016 with a mean follow-up period of 7.34 years. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the risk of all outcomes in patients with acromegaly compared with controls with adjusting for age, sex, household income, place, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients with acromegaly and the controls was 54.16 years (40.4% men). The incidence rate of Parkinson disease in patients with acromegaly (1.54 per 1,000 person-years) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.55 per 1,000 person-years) (log-rank test p = 0.001). Acromegaly was associated with a higher risk of Parkinson disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.609, 95% CI: 1.410-2.609) than the control. In addition, acromegaly was associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 2.299, 95% CI: 1.362-3.881), Alzheimer disease (HR = 2.228, 95% CI: 1.191-4.168), and non-AD dementia (HR = 6.553, 95% CI: 1.754-24.482) than the control during the first 3 years after diagnosis and treatment. In subgroup analysis, diabetes was associated with higher risk of all-cause dementia (P for interaction = 0.028) in patients with acromegaly compared with controls.

DISCUSSION

Our study results suggest that acromegaly is associated with neurodegenerative disease. Further study is needed on the association between IGF-1/growth hormone level and neurodegenerative disease.

Reproductive Phenotypes in Men With Acquired or Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: A Comparative Study

CONTEXT

In men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), gonadotropin deficiency and testicular impairment exist since fetal development and persist throughout life. In a few reported cases of acquired HH (AHH), HH onset occurs mainly post pubertally.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to compare the natural history and reproductive status in large series of CHH and lesional AHH evaluated in a single expert academic center.

METHODS

We included 172 controls, 668 male HH patients (CHH: n = 201 [age 16.9 ± 9.0 years], lesional AHH: n = 467 [age 45.6 ± 18.4 years]) caused by hypothalamic and/or pituitary tumors (mainly adenomas and craniopharyngiomas) or infiltrative/traumatic diseases.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, CHH were significantly younger, with 52.9% diagnosed before age 18 years, compared to only 9.6% of AHH patients. Cryptorchidism (21.9% vs 0.3%) and micropenis were more prevalent in CHH than AHH patients. Low testicular volume (TV) was present in 97% of patients with CHH (mean TV: 3.4 ± 2.7 mL) but in only 30% of those with AHH (mean TV: 20.8 ± 5.0 mL). Whereas no men with persistent CHH had spontaneous fertility, 70.4% of AHH men fathered at least one child without medical therapy. Total testosterone was lower both in CHH and AHH patients than in controls. Compared to controls, circulating gonadotropins and testicular peptides (insulin-like factor-3 and inhibin B) were decreased both in CHH and AHH, but were significantly higher in patients with AHH.

CONCLUSION

In AHH patients, the HH has later onset and is less severe than in CHH and the phenotype can overlap with that of individuals with normal laboratory values. Our data suggest that age at diagnosis is a predictor of the reproductive phenotype in AHH.

Acromegaly and pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between acromegaly and pregnancy in terms of disease activity, maternal and fetal outcomes.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of etiology and risk. We focused on observational studies that included pregnant women with acromegaly. The outcomes were acromegaly activity, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertension, eclampsia/preeclampsia, miscarriage, perinatal mortality, low birthweight, small for gestational age, and congenital malformations. Embase, Medline, LILACS, and CENTRAL were our source databases. To perform proportional meta-analyses, we used Stata Statistical Software 17.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were included encompassing a total of 273 pregnancies in 211 women with acromegaly. The overall frequency of control of acromegaly during pregnancy was 62%, and of tumor growth was 9%. No fetal or maternal deaths were reported. The overall frequency of worsening of previous diabetes or development of gestational diabetes was 9%, and of previous hypertension or preeclampsia/eclampsia was 6%. The overall frequency of premature labor was 9% [from 17 studies of 263 pregnancies; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5-13%]; of spontaneous miscarriage was 4% (from 19 studies of 273 pregnancies; 95% CI, 2-11%); of small for gestational age was 5% (from 15 studies of 216 newborns; 95% CI, 3-9%); and of congenital malformations was 1% (from 18 studies of 240 newborns; 95% CI, 0-7%).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy in women with acromegaly is frequently associated with disease control and is safe in relation to fetal and maternal outcomes, as in women without acromegaly.

Evaluation of sex hormone profile and semen parameters in acromegalic male patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in semen quality and bioavailable testosterone concentrations in acromegalic male patients according to their disease activity and compare them with patients with non-functional pituitary adenoma (NFA) and healthy controls (HC).

METHODS

Twenty-four acromegalic patients with active disease, 22 acromegalic patients in remission, 10 HCs, and 10 patients with NFA were included.

RESULTS

Total and calculated bioavailable testosterone concentrations were lower in patients with pituitary disease. Patients with acromegaly had more severely impaired total testosterone levels and semen parameters in comparison to HCs and patients with NFA. The degree of impairment was more prominent in acromegalic patients with active disease than acromegalic patients in remission. Acromegalic patients in remission had residual impairments in both semen quality and testosterone concentrations. Patients with NFA had the lowest concentrations of calculated bioavailable testosterone, followed by acromegalic patients with active disease and acromegalic patients in remission. Increasing growth hormone (GH) levels were found to be associated with both more severely impaired semen quality and androgen concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Growth hormone hypersecretion can disturb reproductive biology and thereof semen quality. The reduction in semen quality and androgen levels may not fully recover upon disease control. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of impaired semen parameters and reduced total/bioavailable levels in acromegalic patients, especially in the setting of active disease.

Course and outcomes of pregnancy in women treated for acromegaly: Discerning a contemporary cohort

OBJECTIVE

To analyze pregnancy course and outcomes in women treated for acromegaly and compare outcomes based on disease activity at the time of conception.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PATIENTS

Women with acromegaly diagnosed prior to or during pregnancy from 2010 to 2019, representing cases (14 pregnancies in 12 cases), were later stratified based on active (n = 5) or controlled disease (n = 9) at time of conception. Female acromegalic patients over the same period constituted the 'acromegaly cohort' (AC) (n = 75).

RESULTS

All cases had macroadenomas with nadir GH of 15.06 ng/ml (IQR 9-30), IGF-I index of 3.04 (1.96-3.82), for which they had undergone pituitary surgery; except two patients diagnosed during pregnancy, who received pharmacotherapy followed by surgery 4 months postpartum. Adjuvant pharmacotherapy was required in 71.4% patients and radiotherapy in 35.7%. Pregnancy occurred at a median of 2 (0.8-5.1) years after surgery and 21.4% required assisted reproduction. All had term delivery with normal APGAR except one case with gestational hypertension, who delivered a preterm baby. None had congenital malformations. Despite higher baseline IGF-I, GH and tumor volume in those with pre-conceptional active acromegaly, materno-fetal outcomes were not different from those with controlled disease (p > 0.05). Similar or greater proportion of cases had normal GH and no residual tumor postpartum, even in those with pre-conceptional active acromegaly.

CONCLUSION

The current study showed conducive outcomes of gestation in women treated for acromegaly and no higher rates of pregnancy parameters or complications than non-acromegaly pregnancies in the same population. Active acromegaly does not seem to have an adverse bearing on outcomes.

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas and pregnancy: one-center experience and review of the literature

The usual clinical presentation of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) consists of symptoms of mass effect and hypopituitarism. NFPA is a rare condition in young women and an uncommon complication during pregnancy. We present the outcome of three patients with NFPA during pregnancy. Case 1: a 38-year-old woman was referred at 32^nd week of spontaneous pregnancy because of diagnosis of a pituitary macroadenoma discovered in the context of progressive visual loss. Hormonal deficiency and hypersecretion were ruled out. Prolactin levels were high as expected. She developed diplopia and severe headache despite the use of dopamine agonists and corticosteroids, so pregnancy was interrupted at 34^th week. After an uncomplicated delivery of a healthy newborn, transsphenoidal surgery was performed. The pathology was consistent with a gonadotroph adenoma. She recovered visual field, and remained with normal pituitary function. Postsurgical tumor remnant increased in size during the follow-up. Case 2: a 34-year-old woman was referred due to secondary amenorrhea and galactorrhea. A macroadenoma with suprasellar extension was discovered. Transsphenoidal surgery confirmed a gonadotroph adenoma. Two years after surgery she had a normal pregnancy. Six years after surgery a small tumor recurrence occurred. Case 3: a 23-year-old woman was referred due to a microincidental pituitary adenoma. Laboratory testing was normal. No findings on physical examination. A wait and see approach was decided. Two years after diagnosis, the patient got pregnant without complications. Image remained stable. This article may contribute new cases and provides an extensive review of NFPA during pregnancy.

Hyperprolactinemia and Hypopituitarism in Acromegaly and Effect of Pituitary Surgery: Long-Term Follow-up on 529 Patients

PURPOSE

Studies on hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism in acromegaly are limited. We aimed to analyze the preoperative status, postoperative alterations, and correlated factors of hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism in acromegaly patients.

METHODS

This is a single-center cohort study with long-term follow-up. We prospectively enrolled 529 acromegaly patients. Hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism were evaluated by testing hypothalamus-pituitary-end organ (HPEO) axes hormones before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Hyperprolactinemia (39.1%) and hypopituitarism (34.8%) were common in acromegaly. The incidences of axis-specific hypopituitarism varied (hypogonadism, 29.7%; hypothyroidism, 5.9%; adrenal insufficiency, 5.1%), and multiple HPEO axes dysfunction was diagnosed in 5.3% of patients. Patients with preoperative hyperprolactinemia [hazard ratio (HR)=1.39 (1.08-1.79); p=0.012], hypogonadism [HR=1.32 (1.01-1.73); p=0.047], and hypothyroidism [HR=3.49 (1.90-6.44); p<0.001] had higher recurrence rates than those without. Age, sex, body mass index, tumor size, invasiveness, prolactin staining, ki-67 index, and GH/IGF-1 levels were significantly correlated with preoperative hypopituitarism and hyperprolactinemia. At median 34-month follow-up after surgery, hyperprolactinemia in 95% and axis-specific hypopituitarism in 54%-71% of patients recovered, whereas new-onset hypopituitarism (hypogonadism, 6.2%; hypothyroidism, 4.0%; adrenal insufficiency, 3.2%) was also diagnosed. A shorter tumor diameter was associated with the normalization of preoperative hyperprolactinemia after surgery. Cavernous sinus non-invasion, a shorter tumor diameter, cure at follow-up, and a lower GH nadir level were associated with the improvement of preoperative hypopituitarism after surgery. A larger tumor diameter was associated with the newly developed hypopituitarism after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism are common among acromegaly patients and predict worse surgical outcomes. After surgery, improvement and worsening of HPEO axes function co-exist. Correlated factors are identified for clinical management.

Preconception use of pegvisomant alone or as combination therapy for acromegaly: a case series and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Pegvisomant (PEG) is an effective therapy for acromegaly. Its safety in women seeking fertility and during pregnancy has been scarcely reported.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed in three patients with acromegaly who received PEG while attempting to conceive. Published studies regarding this topic were analyzed.

RESULTS

Four pregnancies in three women with acromegaly are reported. In the first patient, PEG was withdrawn three days before embryo transfer in her first pregnancy and 2 weeks prior to transfer in the second pregnancy. Each transfer resulted in a healthy full-term newborn. In the second and third patients, PEG was withdrawn at diagnosis of pregnancy. No fetal complications occurred during gestations which resulted in three full-term newborns (one single and one twin pregnancy). No abnormalities in development were found in the five live births described. Few cases of pregnancies in women exposed to PEG have been reported and therefore safety cannot be clearly established. In this series, all four pregnancies had good outcomes with discontinuation of the drug before or at first knowledge of conception. A review of the literature reveals no evident drug-related abnormalities in the offspring, even in the few women with continued use of PEG throughout pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Preconception therapy with PEG resulted in successful fertility outcomes. Although few cases have been reported, these four pregnancies with PEG use prior to or at the time of conception were not associated with significant maternal or fetal complications. More studies are needed to establish the safety of PEG preconception.

Disease Control and Gender Predict the Socioeconomic Effects of Acromegaly: A Nationwide Cohort Study

CONTEXT

Acromegaly is an insidious disease associated with severe somatic morbidity but data on socioeconomic status are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To study the socioeconomic status in acromegaly in a population-based follow-up study.

METHODS

All incident cases of acromegaly (n = 576) during the period 1977-2010 were included. For every patient, 100 persons were sampled from the general population matched for date of birth and gender (comparison cohort). Cox regression and hazard ratios (HR), conditional logistic regression and linear regression with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Retirement, social security benefit, annual income, cohabitation, separation, parenthood and educational level.

RESULTS

The proportion of retired individuals was significantly higher in patients with acromegaly after the time of diagnosis (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26-1.62) and also during the 5-year pre-diagnostic period (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.28). More individuals with acromegaly received social security benefit compared with the comparison cohort during the initial period after the time of diagnosis. Among patients who maintained a job, the annual income was similar to the comparison cohort. Compared with the background population, cohabitation was lower (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95) as was parenthood (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39-0.80), whereas neither educational level (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.35-1.06) nor separation (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.86-1.47) were different. Female gender and insufficient disease control were associated with a significantly worse socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

1) Socioeconomic status is impaired in patients with acromegaly even before a diagnosis of acromegaly. 2) Females and patients without disease remission have worse outcomes. 3) Early diagnosis and effective treatment of acromegaly could be important factors in mitigating the negative impact on socioeconomic factors.

Fertility issues in aggressive pituitary tumors

The management of aggressive pituitary adenomas represents a special clinical challenge, and usually involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and pharmacological agents to control tumor growth and hormone abnormalities. Fertility is commonly affected in these patients due to compressive effects of the tumor, pituitary hormone dysfunction or as a result of the multiple therapies. The initial approach to restore fertility involves the reduction of tumor volume by the use of dopamine agonists in prolactinomas and by surgery in other pituitary adenomas. Somatostatin analogues are alternative options for GH, ACTH and TSH-secreting tumors. When present, pituitary deficiencies should be appropriately treated, particularly GH deficiency that has been associated with poor pregnancy rates in hypopituitary patients. Other therapies for aggressive pituitary tumors, such as invasive surgery, radiotherapy and temozolamide, may lead to infertility. In such cases, fertility preservation strategies might be considered and discussed with the patient desiring conception before or during treatment. In men and women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, administration of gonadotropins or pulse GnRH has resulted in satisfactory pregnancy rates. If spontaneous gestation is not achieved, assisted reproduction techniques can be employed as the last line of treatment. In any context, pre-conception counseling and care are essential as pregnancies in women with aggressive pituitary tumors should always be considered high risk.

A Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acromegaly Comorbidities: An Update

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the Acromegaly Consensus Group was to revise and update the consensus on diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly comorbidities last published in 2013.

PARTICIPANTS

The Consensus Group, convened by 11 Steering Committee members, consisted of 45 experts in the medical and surgical management of acromegaly. The authors received no corporate funding or remuneration.

EVIDENCE

This evidence-based consensus was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence following critical discussion of the current literature on the diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly comorbidities.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

Acromegaly Consensus Group participants conducted comprehensive literature searches for English-language papers on selected topics, reviewed brief presentations on each topic, and discussed current practice and recommendations in breakout groups. Consensus recommendations were developed based on all presentations and discussions. Members of the Scientific Committee graded the quality of the supporting evidence and the consensus recommendations using the GRADE system.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based approach consensus recommendations address important clinical issues regarding multidisciplinary management of acromegaly-related cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, and oncologic comorbidities, sleep apnea, and bone and joint disorders and their sequelae, as well as their effects on quality of life and mortality.

Acromegaly and ultrasound: how, when and why?

BACKGROUND

Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by an excess of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. It is usually diagnosed because of typical signs such as macroglossia, acral enlargement, jaw prognathism and malocclusion. Systemic complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly, and many patients remain undiagnosed for several years. Increased ultrasound (US) application in the general population, and including among acromegaly patients, has revealed many suggestive features which, taken together with clinical suspicion, could induce suspicion of this disease.

PURPOSE

This review describes main US features in acromegaly. Echocardiography shows a typical cardiomyopathy, characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, aortic and mitral regurgitation, and increased aortic root diameters. US preclinical markers of atherosclerosis, such as intima media thickness (IMT), seem also to be impaired. Visceromegaly and increased organ stiffness are other features of acromegaly, including enlarged prostate, kidneys, liver, and thyroid. In addition, other US findings are: renal cysts, micronephrolithiasis, impairment of renal haemodynamic parameters, gallstones and gallbladder polyps, hepatic steatosis, thyroid nodules, multinodular goiter, and polycystic ovaries. Musculoskeletal US findings are increased cartilage thickness, impaired density and elasticity of bones, nerve enlargement, carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, and trigger finger.

CONCLUSIONS

Acromegaly patients frequently present systemic complications and a diagnostic delay. US features of acromegaly are not specific, but could potentially have a key role in early detection of the disease in the presence of typical clinical features.

Voice Characteristics in Patients with Acromegaly during Treatment

BACKGROUND

Active acromegaly is characterized by Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 excess. Voice complaints are common in active acromegaly and are suggested to be caused by effects of Growth Hormone or IGF-1 on vocal cords and the surrounding soft tissues. Prospective studies on the course of voice characteristics in acromegaly patients are scarce and results are conflicting. This study investigates objective changes in voice parameters, self-reported perception of voice and laryngostroboscopic features during the first 2.5 years of acromegaly treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

In this prospective study, acoustic voice analysis (and videolaryngostroboscopic examination were performed in 27 consecutive treatment-naive acromegaly patients at diagnosis (T₀), after 1 year (T₁) and after 2.5 years (T₂) of treatment. The voice handicap index (VHI-30) questionnaire was taken.

RESULTS

During acromegaly treatment, VHI scores decreased, and mucosal edema & hypertrophy diminished. No significant changes in objective voice parameters were detected. The within-subject change in serum IGF-1 levels (97.3 (40.6-208) to 22.4 (10.2-34.1) nmol/L (P < 0.001)) during follow-up correlated positively with the changes in VHI questionnaire scores (R 0.32-0.45; P = 0.002-0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

At diagnosis and during acromegaly treatment, mean VHI scores were in the normal range, although they decreased during follow-up. Mucosal edema and hypertrophy largely resolved during treatment. No significant changes in objective voice parameters were observed. Voice characteristics are in the normal range in patients with acromegaly, but may change during treatment. However, voice complaints are important to discuss, since they may influence quality of life.

The Course of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients With Acromegaly During Treatment

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is common in active acromegaly and negatively influences quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. This prospective study with 3 predetermined timepoints and a standardized treatment protocol investigates changes in sleep parameters during the first 2.5 years of acromegaly treatment.

METHODS

Before initiation of acromegaly treatment (medical pretreatment followed by surgery), polysomnography (PSG) was performed in 27 consecutive patients with treatment-naive acromegaly. PSG was repeated after 1 year (N = 24) and 2.5 years (N = 23), and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were obtained.

RESULTS

At baseline, 74.1% of the patients was diagnosed with OSAS. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI; P = 0.001), oxygen desaturation index (ODI; P = 0.001), lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2; P = 0.007) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS; P < 0.001) improved significantly during treatment, with the greatest improvement in the first year. After 2.5 years of treatment, all patients had controlled acromegaly. Of the 16 patients with repeated PSG and OSAS at baseline, 11 (68.8%) were cured of OSAS. Changes in RDI, ODI, LSaO2, and ESS correlated with insulin-like growth factor 1 levels.

CONCLUSION

OSAS has a high prevalence in active acromegaly. There is a substantial decrease in prevalence and severity of OSAS following acromegaly treatment, with the largest improvement during the first year. Most patients recover from OSAS following surgical or biochemical control of the acromegaly. Therefore, a PSG is advised after diagnosis of acromegaly. When OSAS is present, it should be treated and PSG should be repeated during acromegaly treatment.

Pregnancy in acromegaly is safe and is associated with improvements in IGF-1 concentrations

Pregnancy is rarely reported in acromegaly. Many patients are diagnosed in later life and younger patients may have subfertility due to hypopituitarism. We present a case series of 17 pregnancies in 12 women with acromegaly. Twelve women with acromegaly who completed pregnancy were identified from centres involved in the Irish Pituitary Study. Eleven women had pituitary macroadenomas and one woman had a microadenoma. Only 5/17 pregnancies had optimal biochemical control of acromegaly preconception, as defined by IGF-1 concentration in the age-related reference level and plasma GH concentration of <2 μg/L. In 6/17 pregnancies, dopamine agonist treatment was continued during pregnancy; all other acromegaly treatments were discontinued during pregnancy. Effect of pregnancy on acromegaly: No patient developed new visual field abnormalities, or symptoms suggestive of tumour expansion during pregnancy. In 9/12 patients, plasma IGF-1 concentrations that were elevated preconception normalised during pregnancy. There was a reduction in plasma IGF-1 concentrations, though not into the normal range, in a further two pregnancies. Effect of acromegaly on pregnancy: 15 healthy babies were born at term; one patient underwent emergency C-section at 32 weeks for pre-eclampsia, and one twin pregnancy had an elective C-section at 35 weeks' gestation. Blood pressure remained within normal limits in the remainder of the pregnancies. Gestational diabetes did not develop in any pregnancy. Our data suggests that pregnancy in women with acromegaly is generally safe, from a maternal and foetal perspective. Furthermore, biochemical control tends to improve despite the withdrawal of somatostatin analogue therapy during pregnancy.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is characterized by increased release of growth hormone and, consequently, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF1), most often by a pituitary adenoma. Prolonged exposure to excess hormone leads to progressive somatic disfigurement and a wide range of systemic manifestations that are associated with increased mortality. Although considered a rare disease, recent studies have reported an increased incidence of acromegaly owing to better disease awareness, improved diagnostic tools and perhaps a real increase in prevalence. Acromegaly treatment approaches, which include surgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy, have changed considerably over time owing to improved surgical procedures, development of new radiotherapy techniques and availability of new medical therapies. The optimal use of these treatments will reduce mortality in patients with acromegaly to levels in the general population. Medical therapy is currently an important treatment option and can even be the first-line treatment in patients with acromegaly who will not benefit from or are not suitable for first-line neurosurgical treatment. Pharmacological treatments include somatostatin receptor ligands (such as octreotide, lanreotide and pasireotide), dopamine agonists and the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant. In this Primer, we review the main aspects of acromegaly, including scientific advances that underlie expanding knowledge of disease pathogenesis, improvements in disease management and new medical therapies that are available and in development to improve disease control.

An update on clinical care for pregnant women with acromegaly

INTRODUCTION

As pregnancy is rare in women with acromegaly, only case reports and few series have been published.

AREAS COVERED

All case reports and publications dealing with pregnancy in patients with acromegaly were collated. Information concerning the effects of acromegaly on pregnancy outcomes, the impact of pregnancy on GH/IGF-I measurements, acromegaly comorbidity and pituitary adenoma size, the effects of treatment of acromegaly on fetus outcomes were retrieved and analyzed.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

Based on the small number of reported cases, pregnancy is generally uneventful, except for a potential increased incidence of gestational hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Medical therapy of acromegaly (dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogs, growth hormone-receptor antagonists) is generally interrupted before or at diagnosis of pregnancy. In very rare patients with a pituitary adenoma, particularly a macroadenoma that has not been surgically treated before pregnancy, or if a surgical remnant persists, or when acromegaly is revealed during pregnancy, tumor volume may increase and cause symptoms through a mass effect. Close monitoring of clinical manifestations and imaging are necessary during pregnancy in these cases. In the rare cases of symptomatic tumor enlargement during pregnancy, medical treatment with dopamine agonists or eventually somatostatin analogs may be attempted before resorting to transsphenoidal surgery.

Systemic Complications of Acromegaly and the Impact of the Current Treatment Landscape: An Update

Acromegaly is a chronic systemic disease with many complications and is associated with increased mortality when not adequately treated. Substantial advances in acromegaly treatment, as well as in the treatment of many of its complications, mainly diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and arterial hypertension, were achieved in the last decades. These developments allowed change in both prevalence and severity of some acromegaly complications and furthermore resulted in a reduction of mortality. Currently, mortality seems to be similar to the general population in adequately treated patients with acromegaly. In this review, we update the knowledge in complications of acromegaly and detail the effects of different acromegaly treatment options on these complications. Incidence of mortality, its correlation with GH (cumulative exposure vs last value), and IGF-I levels and the shift in the main cause of mortality in patients with acromegaly are also addressed.

Association of High Prolactin Level on Postoperative Day 1 and Tumor Invasion with Female Gonadal Dysfunction After Trans-Sphenoidal Surgery of Pituitary Adenomas

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of gonadal dysfunction among Chinese women of reproductive age with pituitary adenomas (PAs) after trans-sphenoidal surgery.

Material/Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 317 women (16–44 years old) who underwent gonadal function and hormone testing before and after trans-sphenoidal surgery for PAs during 2003–2012. Gonadal function was assessed on the basis of menstrual status.

Results

Three women were excluded because of pre-existing gynecological diseases. Before trans-sphenoidal surgery, 34 (10.7%) women were eugonadal and 283 (89.3%) women had gonadal dysfunction. After trans-sphenoidal surgery, 130/189 (68.7%) women with follow-up menstruation data were eugonadal, and 59/189 (31.2%) women exhibited gonadal dysfunction. In addition, 67.4% women of reproductive age with PAs and gonadal dysfunction were restored by trans-sphenoidal surgery (P<0.01). Postoperative gonadal dysfunction was independently associated with high prolactin level at day 1 after trans-sphenoidal surgery (odds ratio (OR)=1.024; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.005–1.043; P=0.012) and tumor invasion (OR=5.752; 95%CI=1.618–20.447; P<0.01). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, prediction of gonadal dysfunction in women of reproductive age after trans-sphenoidal surgery for PAs using prolactin >46.82 μg/L on postoperative day 1 had sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 95%, positive predictive value of 98%, and negative predictive value of 76%, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.701.

Conclusions

Gonadal dysfunction is very common in Chinese women of reproductive age with PAs and can be effectively restored by trans-sphenoidal surgery. Prolactin >46.82 μg/L at 1 day after trans-sphenoidal surgery and tumor invasion can predict postoperative gonadal dysfunction in these patients.

Outcome of pregnancies in a large cohort of women with acromegaly

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome of pregnancies in a large cohort of women with acromegaly.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 31 pregnancies in 20 patients with acromegaly.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven pregnancies resulted in healthy offspring, and 4 resulted in abortion. Three patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery during pregnancy. IGF-1 levels remained elevated during pregnancy in 4 pregnancies and normalized in 23 cases. Fifteen cases were followed during pregnancy without any medical or surgical treatment, and 13 of these exhibited normal IGF-1 levels. Before or during pregnancy, somatostatin receptor ligands usage was not associated with higher risk for adverse outcomes. Arterial hypertension worsening (45%) and impairment of glucose levels (32%) were the most common complications during pregnancies. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. One woman delivered twins. Two cases of congenital malformations and one with foetal macrosomia were observed. Caesarean delivery was performed in sixteen cases.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the impact of gestation on IGF-1 levels. However, it also indicates that acromegaly still holds an increased risk for worsening of comorbidities, especially in uncontrolled patients.

Female gonadal functions and ovarian reserve in patients with acromegaly: experience from a single tertiary center

PURPOSE

To evaluate the gonadal functions and related factors in female patients with acromegaly at the time of diagnosis, the course of gonadal dysfunctions and pregnancies during the follow-up period, and the investigation of ovarian reserve with serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in patients with reproductive age.

METHODS

Patients who were not menopausal at the time of acromegaly diagnosis (n = 47) were included in this study. Baseline gonadal status was evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups: normal gonadal function (group 1), gonadal dysfunction without central hypogonadism (group 2), and central hypogonadism (group 3). Group 1 and group 2 were compared in terms of clinical and laboratory findings. AMH levels were studied in patients who were ≤ 45 years old (n = 14) at the time of the study. Data related to pregnancies (n = 13) were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Group 1 included 18 patients (38%), group 2 included 18 patients (38%), and group 3 included 11 patients (24%). The estimated duration of acromegaly was longer, and baseline PRL levels were higher, in group 2 than group 1 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively). Gonadal functions recovered in 66% of patients. AMH levels were low in 64% of patients. The frequency of maternal diabetes and hypertension was 7.7%, and there was no tumoral growth in any of the pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

The most important factors affecting gonadal functions, excluding central hypogonadism, are hyperprolactinemia and the duration of the indolent period before diagnosis of acromegaly. AMH levels in the majority of patients were found to be lower than the expected age. Despite the decreased ovarian reserve, fertilization and normal birth can be achieved with careful surveillance.

Candidate SNP markers of reproductive potential are predicted by a significant change in the affinity of TATA-binding protein for human gene promoters

BACKGROUND

The progress of medicine, science, technology, education, and culture improves, year by year, quality of life and life expectancy of the populace. The modern human has a chance to further improve the quality and duration of his/her life and the lives of his/her loved ones by bringing their lifestyle in line with their sequenced individual genomes. With this in mind, one of genome-based developments at the junction of personalized medicine and bioinformatics will be considered in this work, where we used two Web services: (i) SNP_TATA_Comparator to search for alleles with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that alters the affinity of TATA-binding protein (TBP) for the TATA boxes of human gene promoters and (ii) PubMed to look for retrospective clinical reviews on changes in physiological indicators of reproductive potential in carriers of these alleles.

RESULTS

A total of 126 SNP markers of female reproductive potential, capable of altering the affinity of TBP for gene promoters, were found using the two above-mentioned Web services. For example, 10 candidate SNP markers of thrombosis (e.g., rs563763767) can cause overproduction of coagulation inducers. In pregnant women, Hughes syndrome provokes thrombosis with a fatal outcome although this syndrome can be diagnosed and eliminated even at the earliest stages of its development. Thus, in women carrying any of the above SNPs, preventive treatment of this syndrome before a planned pregnancy can reduce the risk of death. Similarly, seven SNP markers predicted here (e.g., rs774688955) can elevate the risk of myocardial infarction. In line with Bowles' lifespan theory, women carrying any of these SNPs may modify their lifestyle to improve their longevity if they can take under advisement that risks of myocardial infarction increase with age of the mother, total number of pregnancies, in multiple pregnancies, pregnancies under the age of 20, hypertension, preeclampsia, menstrual cycle irregularity, and in women smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

According to Bowles' lifespan theory-which links reproductive potential, quality of life, and life expectancy-the above information was compiled for those who would like to reduce risks of diseases corresponding to alleles in own sequenced genomes. Candidate SNP markers can focus the clinical analysis of unannotated SNPs, after which they may become useful for people who would like to bring their lifestyle in line with their sequenced individual genomes.

How does pregnancy affect the patients with pituitary adenomas: a study on 113 pregnancies from Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Data regarding pregnancies in relation to pituitary tumors are limited. The effects of pregnancy on pituitary adenomas and the effects of adenoma itself (hormonal activity, mass effects and pituitary insufficiency) and/or treatment on the ongoing gestation and developing fetus were evaluated.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective study. A questionnaire involving questions regarding medical history before index gestation, history of related pregnancy, result of index gestation and postpartum follow-up of the patients was filled by the investigator in one of the eight Referral Endocrinology Centers from Turkey.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirteen (83 prolactinoma, 21 acromegaly, 8 NFPA and 1 plurihormonal pituitary adenoma) pregnancies of 87 (60 prolactinoma, 19 acromegaly, 7 NFPA and 1 plurihormonal pituitary adenoma) patients were reviewed. The clinically important pregnancy-related tumor growth of pituitary adenomas was found to be low in previously treated adenomas. Prolactinomas were more likely to increase in size during pregnancy especially if effective prior treatment was lacking. The risk of hypopituitarism is also minimal due to pituitary adenomas during pregnancy. The results of pregnancies did not differ in patients who were on medical treatment or not for prolactinomas and acromegaly during gestation. Neural tube defect and microcephaly associated with maternal cabergoline use; Down syndrome and corpus callosum agenesis associated with maternal bromocriptine use; unilateral congenital cataract, craniosynostosis and microcephaly associated with maternal acromegaly were detected for the first time.

CONCLUSION

Medical treatment can be safely done stopped in patients with prolactinoma and acromegaly when pregnancy is confirmed and reinstituted when necessary. Prospective studies may help to determine the effects of medical treatment during gestation on the mother and fetus.

MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Acromegaly and pregnancy: a contemporary review

Although fertility is frequently impaired in women with acromegaly, pregnancy is apparently becoming more common due to improvement in acromegaly treatment as well as in fertility therapy. As a result, several studies on pregnancy in patients with acromegaly have been published in recent years adding new and relevant information to the preexisting literature. Also, new GH assays with selective specificities and the knowledge of the expression of the various GH genes have allowed a better understanding of somatotrophic axis function during pregnancy. In this review, we show that pregnancy in women with acromegaly is generally safe, usually with tumoral and hormonal stability. Although the paucity of data limits evidence-based recommendations for preconception counseling and pregnancy surveillance, controlling tumor size and hormonal activity before pregnancy is highly recommended to ensure better outcomes, and surgical control should be attempted when feasible. Treatment interruption at pregnancy confirmation has also proven to be safe, as drugs are not formally allowed to be used during pregnancy. Drug exposure (somatostatin analogs) during early or whole pregnancy might increase the chance of a lower birth weight. Aggressive disease is uncommon and may urge individual decisions such as surgery or drug treatment during pregnancy or lactation.

Which origin for polycystic ovaries syndrome: Genetic, environmental or both?

Polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS), the most common female endocrine disorder, affects 7-10% of women of childbearing age. It includes ovarian hyperandrogenism, impaired follicular maturation, anovulation and subfertility. Insulin resistance, although present in most cases, is not necessary for diagnosis. It increases hyperandrogenism and long-term metabolic, cardiovascular and oncological risks. The origin of hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia has a genetic component, as demonstrated by familial aggregation studies and recent identification of associated genomic variants, conferring a particular susceptibility to the syndrome. However, experimental and epidemiological evidences also support a developmental origin via a deleterious foetal environment, concerning the endocrine status (foetal hyperandrogenism), the nutritional level (intrauterine growth retardation), or the toxicological exposure (endocrine disruptors). Epigenetic changes recently reported in the literature as associated with PCOS, enhance this hypothesis of foetal reprogramming of the future adult ovarian function by environmental factors. Better characterisation of these genetic, epigenetic, or environmental factors, could lead to earlier prevention and more efficient treatments.

Pegvisomant in acromegaly: an update

BACKGROUND

In 2007, we published an opinion document to review the role of pegvisomant (PEG) in the treatment of acromegaly. Since then, new evidence emerged on the biochemical and clinical effects of PEG and on its long-term efficacy and safety.

AIM

We here reviewed the emerging aspects of the use of PEG in clinical practice in the light of the most recent literature.

RESULTS

The clinical use of PEG is still suboptimal, considering that it remains the most powerful tool to control IGF-I in acromegaly allowing to obtain, with a pharmacological treatment, the most important clinical effects in terms of signs and symptoms, quality of life and comorbidities. The number of patients with acromegaly exposed to PEG worldwide has become quite elevated and the prolonged follow-up allows now to deal quite satisfactorily with many clinical issues including major safety issues, such as the concerns about possible tumour (re)growth under PEG. The positive or neutral impact of PEG on glucose metabolism has been highlighted, and the clinical experience, although limited, with sleep apnoea and pregnancy has been reviewed. Finally, the current concept of somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) resistance has been addressed, in order to better define the acromegaly patients to whom the PEG option may be offered.

CONCLUSIONS

PEG increasingly appears to be an effective and safe medical option for many patients not controlled by SRL but its use still needs to be optimized.

The risks of overlooking the diagnosis of secreting pituitary adenomas

Secreting pituitary adenomas that cause acromegaly and Cushing’s disease, as well as prolactinomas and thyrotroph adenomas, are uncommon, usually benign, slow-growing tumours. The rarity of these conditions means that their diagnosis is not familiar to most non-specialist physicians. Consequently, pituitary adenomas may be overlooked and remain untreated, and affected individuals may develop serious comorbidities that reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. Because many signs and symptoms of pituitary adenomas overlap with those of other, more common disorders, general practitioners and non-endocrinology specialists need to be aware of the “red flags” suggestive of these conditions. A long duration of active disease in patients with secreting pituitary adenomas is associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and reduced quality of life. Appropriate treatment can lead to disease remission, and, although some symptoms may persist in some patients, treatment usually reduces the incidence and severity of comorbidities and improves quality of life. Therefore, correct, early diagnosis and characterization of a pituitary adenoma is crucial for patients, to trigger timely, appropriate treatment and to optimize outcome. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of hormonal syndromes associated with pituitary adenomas, discusses the difficulties of and considerations for their diagnosis, and reviews the comorbidities that may develop, but can be prevented, by accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We hope this review will help general practitioners and non-endocrinology specialists to suspect secreting pituitary adenomas and refer patients to an endocrinologist for confirmation of the diagnosis and treatment.

SPONTANEOUS CONCEPTION AND TERM DELIVERY IN A WOMAN WITH UNCONTROLLED ACROMEGALY AND HYPOGONADOTROPIC HYPOGONADISM

Background

Patients with acromegaly (caused by growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas) are at increased risk of hypopituitarism, in particular hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, before and after multimodal therapy. In affected women of reproductive age, fertility is impaired and complex fertility treatments are needed to achieve conception.

Case presentation

We present the case of a young woman with acromegaly caused by a GH-secreting macroadenoma with suprasellar and bilateral cavernous sinus extension; hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and secondary hypothyroidism were present from the initial evaluation. Neurosurgical intervention was repeatedly recommended but the patient refused it initially; also she was non-compliant to the medical treatment of acromegaly. Transsphenoidal tumor debulking with adjuvant gamma-knife radiotherapy was eventually performed. Following treatment persistent active acromegaly and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were diagnosed. Under chronic estroprogestative replacement therapy, the patient conceived and delivered a full-term healthy newborn without any complications. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Conclusions

Secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in pituitary patients, even when considered permanent (after surgery and radiotherapy), can exceptionally allow spontaneous conception and normal course of pregnancy.

General health status and intelligence scores of children of mothers with acromegaly do not differ from those of healthy mothers

PURPOSE

To determine the physical status and intelligence scores of children of acromegalic mothers and to compare them with those of children from mothers without acromegaly.

METHODS

Six women with acromegaly who became pregnant under follow-up between 2010 and 2014 and their 16 children (group A) were assessed and compared with 16 children of healthy women (group B) and 15 children of women with prolactinoma (group C). The physical examinations of children were performed by the department of pediatric endocrinology and intelligence quotient (IQ) testing was undertaken by adult and pediatric psychiatry departments, using appropriate scales for their ages.

RESULTS

Six of the 16 children (girls/boys: 7/9) were born after the diagnosis of acromegaly. Five of the 6 pregnancies occured when the patients were taking somatostatin analogs, none continued taking the drugs during pregnancy. The mean IQ of groups A, B, and C were 106.4 ± 12.5, 105.3 ± 12.5, and 103.2 ± 16.1 respectively (p > 0.05). The mean ages, birth percentiles, recent weight and height standard deviation scores were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Two siblings from group A and 1 child from group B were large for gestational age at birth. At recent follow-up, two children from group A were found tall for their age and one from group C was short for his age and was placed under the care of pediatric endocrinology clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancies in acromegaly seems to be uneventful and the general health status and IQ scores of children from women with and without acromegaly were found similar.

Preconception counselling for women with acromegaly: More questions than answers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Approximately 174 pregnancies in acromegaly have been reported. Our objectives were to identify the key challenges of preconception counselling in this population.

METHODS

Case series of three acromegalic women with desire for pregnancy. Issues were identified from chart review and discussion with attending physicians. Literature review of acromegaly and pregnancy was conducted.

RESULTS

Important issues identified included: impact of acromegaly on fertility, management of acromegaly in the peripartum period, screening for associated conditions, risk of progression of acromegaly/tumour growth during pregnancy, impact of acromegaly on pregnancy outcomes, surveillance during pregnancy, method of delivery and impact on neonatal outcomes and breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy can be safely achieved in patients with acromegaly. There is little evidence to guide recommendations around conception and pregnancy surveillance. Patients can be reassured that in most situations, pregnancy proceeds without complication and that medical treatment can be used during pregnancy if necessary.

Pituitary tumor management in pregnancy

The improved management of pituitary adenomas has led to an increasing number of pregnancies in patients harboring pituitary adenomas. Therefore, adequate management of pregnant women with pituitary adenomas is of growing importance. Because pregnancy produces several physiologic changes to the endocrine system, especially to the pituitary gland, endocrinologists must be knowledgeable and skilled to effectively manage pregnant women with pituitary adenomas and to guarantee the wellbeing of the fetus.

Pituitary disorders in pregnancy

The pituitary gland is significantly affected during gestation in terms of both size and function. Due to this physiologic adaptation, endocrine evaluation and interpretation of imaging is far more complex than in the non-pregnant state. Pituitary disorders are rare in pregnancy, as they are usually associated with gonadal dysfunction, thereby posing difficulties with fertility. This review will focus on pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas, GH-secreting and ACTH-secreting), their diagnostic handicaps and the recommendations for treatment. We will also discuss the two pituitary disorders encountered in pregnancy, Sheehan's syndrome and lymphocytic hypophysitis.

Estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for the treatment of acromegaly: a meta-analysis of published observational studies

Estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) treatments for acromegaly have received limited attention since the development of newer pharmacologic therapies. There has been ongoing research evidence suggesting their utility in the biochemical control of acromegaly. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesise current evidence with a view to determining to what extent and in which acromegalic patient subsets do estrogen and SERMs reduce IGF-1 levels. A literature search was conducted (finished December 2012), which included all studies pertaining to estrogen or SERM treatment and IGF-1. Seven patient subsets were identified from six published observational studies, and were pooled using meta-analytic methods. Overall, the pooled mean loss in IGF-1 was -29.09 nmol/L (95 % CI -37.23 to -20.95). A sensitivity analysis indicated that women receiving estrogen had a substantially greater reduction in IGF-1 levels compared with women receiving SERMs, with a weighted mean loss in IGF-1 of -38.12 nmol/L (95 % CI -46.78 to -29.45) compared with -22.91 nmol/L (95 % CI -32.73 to -13.09). There was a trend that did not reach statistical significance for men receiving SERM treatment at -11.41 nmol/L (95 % CI -30.14 to 7.31). It was concluded that estrogen and SERMs are a low cost and effective treatment to achieve control of IGF-1 levels in acromegalic women either as concomitant treatment for refractory disease, or where access to conventional therapy is restricted. Their use in men requires further study.

Acromegaly and pregnancy: a prospective study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

The interaction between pregnancy and acromegaly has been studied only retrospectively. We used prospective data to assess those interactions.

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional, multicentric study.

PATIENTS

TEN PREGNANCIES IN EIGHT ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS WERE INCLUDED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: previous diagnosis of acromegaly; and active acromegaly before pregnancy. Sellar magnetic resonance image (MRI), GH, and IGF1 measurements were carried out before pregnancy. The exclusion criterion was radiotherapy.

INTERVENTION

Withdrawal of pharmacological treatment (octreotide and/or cabergoline and/or pegvisomant) following pregnancy diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical/biochemical evaluations throughout pregnancy/puerperium and sellar MRI after delivery; and GH and IGF1 measurements before pregnancy. GH was measured by an interference-free IFMA assay during pregnancy and IGF1 by measured by Immulite 2000 assay in patients and 64 control pregnancies.

RESULTS

No tumor growth was observed. Nine deliveries were at term and one at 35 weeks (preeclampsia). All newborns were healthy. Mean IGF1 levels before and during pregnancy were similar, but increased significantly during puerperium. As IGF1 in controls increased after midgestation, the prevalence of controlled IGF1 rose significantly from 2/10 (<20 weeks) to 9/10 (>30 weeks). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension/preeclampsia developed in one patient in each group; both complications were nonsignificantly (P=0.06) associated with IGF1 >1.3 ULN before pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Acromegaly control usually improved and tumor growth was not stimulated during pregnancy in spite of withdrawal of drug treatment. Drug treatment can be discontinued in most patients. Uncontrolled disease before pregnancy may pose a higher risk for diabetes and hypertension.

[Acromegaly and pregnancy: report of six new cases]

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancies in acromegalic women are rare. Data from the literature indicate absence of congenital malformation in newborns, an increase of pituitary adenoma volume rarely clinically symptomatic, an increased risk of gestational diabetes and gravid hypertension in women with non-controlled GH/IGF-1 hypersecretion before gestation. The changes of somatotroph function are rarely described.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Report of six new pregnancies in five women with acromegaly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Before pregnancy three women had incomplete surgical resection of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, all were treated with somatostatin analogues, and the medical treatment was withdrawal at the diagnosis of gestation. We studied clinical (blood pressure, headaches, visual field), biological (blood glucose concentration) signs, GH and IGF-1 levels were measured during each trimester of pregnancy as well as in post-partum and were compared with pregestational values, MRI of the pituitary performed during the second trimester and in the post-partum were compared with MRI examen before pregnancy.

RESULTS

All those pregnancies were normal without gestational diabetes, gravid hypertension and pituitary tumor syndrome. Clinical signs of acromegaly improved in 50 % of the patients, and IGF-1 decreased (22 %) in comparison of pregestational value without significant change in GH levels. No newborn had congenital malformation.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancies in those women with acromegaly are uneventful without obstetrical or foetal complication, but a maternal follow-up is necessary in order to diagnose gravid hypertension and gestational diabetes. On the other hand, a clinical monitoring of pituitary tumor syndrome is necessary in women with non-operated GH-secreting macroadenoma before pregnancy. During the first trimester of gestation, an improvement of acromegalic signs can be due to a decrease of IGF-1 levels related to hepatic GH-resistance state secondary to physiological secretion of estrogens during gestation.

A consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly complications

In March 2011, the Acromegaly Consensus Group met to revise and update the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly complications. The meeting was sponsored by the Pituitary Society and the European Neuroendocrinology Association and included experts skilled in the management of acromegaly. Complications considered included cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic, sleep apnea, bone diseases, and mortality. Outcomes in selected, related clinical conditions were also considered, and included pregnancy, familial acromegaly and invasive macroadenomas. The need for a new disease staging model was considered, and design of such a tool was proposed.

Pregnancy and acromegaly: a review

To review the literature regarding the diagnosis and management of acromegaly during pregnancy. A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE including hand-searching reference lists from original articles. The diagnosis of acromegaly during pregnancy is made difficult due to the physiologic changes in pituitary GH secretion and IGF-1 production resulting from placental GH secretion and the inability of commercial assays to discriminate between pituitary and placental GH. Most patients with acromegaly during pregnancy do not have an increase in tumor size, metabolic complications are uncommon, and neonatal outcome is largely unaffected. IGF-1 levels tend to be stable in such patients possibly due to the high estrogen levels causing GH resistance. Dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogues, and a GH receptor antagonist have been reported to be safe during pregnancy. Patients with visual field defects should be considered for surgery, but in most cases this can be safely postponed until after delivery. Overall, pregnancy in acromegaly is uneventful and newborns unaffected. Dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogues have not been associated with major adverse effects to the fetus; however, more data are needed to validate their safety.

Pregnancy in acromegaly: experience from two referral centers and systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Acromegaly results from increased growth hormone and its target insulin-like growth factor-1, most commonly due to a pituitary tumour. As it is frequently accompanied by infertility, little is known about the course of this disease in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

We describe 13 new pregnancies in acromegalic women and compare their outcomes in a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

We collected clinical, biochemical, imaging, and outcomes data during and following pregnancy and performed a systematic review for a total of 47 pregnancies. An extended analysis of 106 pregnancies was also performed.

RESULTS

In 13 newly described cases, pregnancy was un-complicated without need for additional surgical intervention. In these pregnancies, adjunctive medical therapy was required in three patients. This was in the form of somatostatin analogs (SA) (3/13) as well as pegvisomant in 1/13 to control symptomatic and biochemical progression. One 37-year-old female succeeded in having two separate pregnancies 2 years apart both without need for any form of medical therapy. Review of an additional 34 published reports allowed for an analysis of outcomes in 47 pregnancies. Adjunctive medical therapy during pregnancy was required in 15 of these cases where 12 received SA and an additional three received dopamine agonists. None of these patients developed endocrine or neurologic complications during pregnancy. In an extended analysis of 106 pregnancies, treatment during pregnancy appears to be associated with good disease control but increased risk of microsomic or macrosomic newborns depending on the medical agent used.

CONCLUSIONS

In 13 newly described pregnancies along with systematic review of an additional 34 cases indicate that pregnancy in treated acromegalic women can proceed without significant complications or teratogenicity. Medical treatment during pregnancy with DA or SA appears to be associated with altered neonatal weight. Nevertheless, gestation may have a beneficial impact on acromegaly control both during and following pregnancy.

Growth of an aggressive tumor during pregnancy in an acromegalic patient

Pregnancy in acromegalic patients is a rare event, but is usually uneventful, with stable GH and IGF-I levels and no tumor enlargement. Medical treatment can usually be withdrawn without problems and although no major adverse event has been reported, the suspension of drug treatments is generally recommended. No case report exists in the literature regarding evolution of a somatotropinoma with invasiveness markers throughout pregnancy. We report a case of an acromegalic patient who was submitted to surgery and treated with octreotide LAR maintaining a stable residual tumor and an IGF-I close to the normal levels. Her tumor presented with a high Ki-67 (11.6%) and a low aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) expression. When she became pregnant, octreotide LAR was withdrawn, and despite remaining asymptomatic during pregnancy, tumor growth occurred with compression of surrounding structures. In conclusion, pregnancy in acromegalic patients has usually a favorable prognosis with no tumor growth. However, in the presence of high Ki-67 labeling index and low AIP expression, tumor enlargement may occur and somatostatin analogue treatment throughout the pregnancy should be considered.

Sleep apnea in acromegaly: a review on prevalence, pathogenetic aspects and treatment

Sleep apnea syndrome is a common complication of acromegaly with a negative impact on quality of life and survival. Obstructive sleep apnea is the prevailing form and is characterized by recurrent episodes of apnea and hypopnea owing to the total or partial collapse of the upper airways during sleep. The craniofacial deformations and the hypertrophy of upper airway soft tissue are responsible for its occurrence. Successful treatment of acromegaly can improve the severity of this complication, but can only seldom reverse it, particularly after a long time of active acromegaly. Thus, it is advisable to evaluate patients for sleep apnea syndrome at diagnosis and during treatment, and also when acromegaly is biochemically controlled. In selected cases, continuous positive airway pressure should be implemented to improve patient outcome.

Pregnancy and other pituitary disorders (including GH deficiency)

The pituitary gland is one of the most affected organs with altered anatomy and physiology during pregnancy. Acromegaly is the second most common pituitary adenoma seen in relation to gestation after prolactinomas. Acromegaly should be treated before conception to prevent potential tumor growth in patients who desire fertility. Medical therapy can be ceased safely after confirmation of pregnancy in acromegalic patients, but octreotide may be used in selected cases with compressive signs. Other hormonal and non-functional tumors are rarer and have been presented as case reports. Sheehan's syndrome, which is one of the most common causes of hypopituitarism in developing countries, and lymphocytic hypophysitis are known to be associated with pregnancy. They usually result in hypopituitarism, sometimes with delays in diagnosis and difficulties in differential diagnosis. Pregnancy is not common among patients with hypopituitarism or pituitary adenomas due to altered gonadotroph functions. Ovulation induction is essential for fertility achievement, but the replacement of other deficient pituitary hormones, including GH, seems to play an important role in the preparation of the uterus for implantation of the embryo.

Comparison of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 100 g with OGTT 75 g for evaluation of acromegalic patients and the impact of gender on test reproducibility

CONTEXT

Growth hormone (GH) measurements during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are essential for the diagnosis and follow-up management of acromegaly. However, both 100 g glucose (OGTT(100) ) and 75 g glucose (OGTT(75) ) test variants are in clinical use. Whether the tests are interchangeable concerning GH nadir and test interpretation is unclear. Furthermore, information on test reproducibility and the impact of gender is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To compare both tests in acromegalic patients and to evaluate test reproducibility with respect to gender.

DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

OGTT(100) and OGTT(75) were performed on two consecutive days in 54 acromegalic patients (46·9 ± 1·8 years, 30 women). OGTT(75) was repeated on three different occasions in 11 healthy men and 13 healthy women at different phases of the menstrual cycle.

RESULTS

GH nadirs were comparable between tests [2·40 ± 0·52 (OGTT(100) ) and 2·46 ± 0·54 μg/l (OGTT(75) ); P = 0·356]. There were no differences at any time point in the mean values of GH, serum glucose or insulin between the two test variants. Test interpretation was highly consistent between the OGTT(100) and OGTT(75) [area under the receiver operated curve (ROC) = 0·995]. In men, GH, insulin and glucose measurements during OGTT(75) were highly reproducible. In women, however, basal and GH nadirs were significantly higher midcycle (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

In acromegalic patients, there is no difference in GH nadirs and test interpretation after the ingestion of 100 g or 75 g glucose. The OGTT(75) is highly reproducible in men, but in women, it should be performed preferably in the early follicular phase.