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De Clercq E, Starke G, Rost M. "Waking up" the sleeping metaphor of normality in connection to intersex or DSD: a scoping review of medical literature. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 44:50. [PMID: 36282442 PMCID: PMC9596528 DOI: 10.1007/s40656-022-00533-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to encourage a critical debate on the use of normality in the medical literature on DSD or intersex. For this purpose, a scoping review was conducted to identify and map the various ways in which "normal" is used in the medical literature on DSD between 2016 and 2020. We identified 75 studies, many of which were case studies highlighting rare cases of DSD, others, mainly retrospective observational studies, focused on improving diagnosis or treatment. The most common use of the adjective normal was in association with phenotypic sex. Overall, appearance was the most commonly cited criteria to evaluate the normality of sex organs. More than 1/3 of the studies included also medical photographs of sex organs. This persistent use of normality in reference to phenotypic sex is worrisome given the long-term medicalization of intersex bodies in the name of a "normal" appearance or leading a "normal" life. Healthcare professionals should be more careful about the ethical implications of using photographs in publications given that many intersex persons describe their experience with medical photography as dehumanizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva De Clercq
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 30, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Georg Starke
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- College of Humanities, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Rte Cantonale, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Rost
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Nicola AG, Carsote M, Gheorghe AM, Petrova E, Popescu AD, Staicu AN, Țuculină MJ, Petcu C, Dascălu IT, Tircă T. Approach of Heterogeneous Spectrum Involving 3beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 2 Deficiency. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092168. [PMID: 36140569 PMCID: PMC9497988 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We aim to review data on 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (3βHSD2) deficiency. We identified 30 studies within the last decade on PubMed: 1 longitudinal study (N = 14), 2 cross-sectional studies, 1 retrospective study (N = 16), and 26 case reports (total: 98 individuals). Regarding geographic area: Algeria (N = 14), Turkey (N = 31), China (2 case reports), Morocco (2 sisters), Anatolia (6 cases), and Italy (N = 1). Patients’ age varied from first days of life to puberty; the oldest was of 34 y. Majority forms displayed were salt-wasting (SW); some associated disorders of sexual development (DSD) were attendant also—mostly 46,XY males and mild virilisation in some 46,XX females. SW pushed forward an early diagnosis due to severity of SW crisis. The clinical spectrum goes to: premature puberty (80%); 9 with testicular adrenal rest tumours (TARTs); one female with ovarian adrenal rest tumours (OARTs), and some cases with adrenal hyperplasia; cardio-metabolic complications, including iatrogenic Cushing’ syndrome. More incidental (unusual) associations include: 1 subject with Barter syndrome, 1 Addison’s disease, 2 subjects of Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY/46,XX, respective 47,XXY). Neonatal screening for 21OHD was the scenario of detection in some cases; 17OHP might be elevated due to peripheral production (pitfall for misdiagnosis of 21OHD). An ACTH stimulation test was used in 2 studies. Liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry unequivocally sustains the diagnostic by expressing high baseline 17OH-pregnenolone to cortisol ratio as well as 11-oxyandrogen levels. HSD3B2 gene sequencing was provided in 26 articles; around 20 mutations were described as “novel pathogenic mutation” (frameshift, missense or nonsense); many subjects had a consanguineous background. The current COVID-19 pandemic showed that CAH-associated chronic adrenal insufficiency is at higher risk. Non-adherence to hormonal replacement contributed to TARTs growth, thus making them surgery candidates. To our knowledge, this is the largest study on published cases strictly concerning 3βHSD2 deficiency according to our methodology. Adequate case management underlines the recent shift from evidence-based medicine to individualized (patient-oriented) medicine, this approach being particularly applicable in this exceptional and challenging disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Gabriela Nicola
- Department of Oro-Dental Prevention, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Aviatorilor Ave 34-38, Sector 1, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (A.-M.G.); Tel.: +40-744-851-934 (M.C.)
| | - Ana-Maria Gheorghe
- Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Aviatorilor Ave 34-38, Sector 1, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (A.-M.G.); Tel.: +40-744-851-934 (M.C.)
| | - Eugenia Petrova
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Aviatorilor Ave 34-38, Sector 1, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Dan Popescu
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Adela Nicoleta Staicu
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihaela Jana Țuculină
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Cristian Petcu
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ionela Teodora Dascălu
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Tiberiu Tircă
- Department of Oro-Dental Prevention, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
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Al Alawi AM, Nordenström A, Falhammar H. Clinical perspectives in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency. Endocrine 2019; 63:407-421. [PMID: 30719691 PMCID: PMC6420607 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-01835-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency (3βHSD2D) is a very rare variant of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) causing less than 0.5% of all CAH. The aim was to review the literature. METHODS PubMed was searched for relevant articles. RESULTS 3βHSD2D is caused by HSD3B2 gene mutations and characterized by impaired steroid synthesis in the gonads and the adrenal glands and subsequent increased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations. The main hormonal changes observed in patients with 3βHSD2D are elevated ratios of the Δ5-steroids over Δ4-steroids but molecular genetic testing is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Several deleterious mutations in the HSD3B2 gene have been associated with salt-wasting (SW) crisis in the neonatal period, while missense mutations have been associated with a non-SW phenotype. Boys may have ambiguous genitalia, whereas girls present with mild or no virilization at birth. The existence of non-classic 3βHSD2D is controversial. In an acute SW crisis, the treatment includes prompt rehydration, correction of hypoglycemia, and parenteral hydrocortisone. Similar to other forms of CAH, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement is needed for long-term management. In addition, sex hormone replacement therapy may be required if normal progress through puberty is failing. Little is known regarding possible negative long-term consequences of 3βHSD2D and its treatments, e.g., fertility, final height, osteoporosis and fractures, adrenal and testicular tumor risk, and mortality. CONCLUSION Knowledge is mainly based on case reports but many long-term outcomes could be presumed to be similar to other types of CAH, mainly 21-hydroxylase deficiency, although in 3βHSD2D it seems to be more difficult to suppress the androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Al Alawi
- Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Astrid Lindgren Children Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Falhammar
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia.
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, NT, Australia.
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