High frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis in euthyroid girls with premature adrenarche

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) among euthyroid prepubertal girls presenting with premature adrenarche (PA). We also aimed to identify the clinical, metabolic, and endocrine profile of girls with AT and concurrent PA and compare them to girls with AT without PA, PA alone and healthy controls.

Methods

Ninety-one prepubertal girls aged 5-10 years, who attended our department for AT, PA and normal variants of growth and puberty were recruited for the study: 73 girls had PA, 6 AT without PA and 12 were referred for investigation of growth. All girls underwent clinical examination, detailed biochemical and hormonal screen. Standard dose Synachten stimulation test (SDSST) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in all girls with PA. The whole study population was divided in 4 groups: Group PA-/AT+ included 6 girls with AT without PA; Group PA+/AT- PA subjects without AT; Group PA+/AT+ girls with PA and concomitant AT; Group PA-/AT- twelve healthy girls without PA nor AT (controls).

Results

Among 73 girls presenting with PA 19 had AT (26%). BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the presence of goiter significantly differed between the four groups (p = 0.016, p = 0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). When comparing hormonal parameters among the four groups significant differences were found in leptin (p = 0.007), TSH (p = 0.044), anti-TPO (p = 0.002), anti-TG (p = 0.044), IGF-BP1 (p = 0.006), Δ4-Α (p = 0.01), DHEA-S (p = <0.001), IGF-1 (p = 0.012) and IGF-BP3 (p = 0.049) levels. TSH levels were significantly higher in Group PA+/AT+ compared to PA+/AT- and PA-/AT- (p = 0.043 and p = 0.016, respectively). Moreover, girls with AT (Groups PA-/AT+ and PA+/AT+) had higher TSH levels than those in Group PA+/AT- (p = 0.025). Girls in Group PA+/AT + showed higher cortisol response at 60 min post-SDSST than girls in Group PA+/AT- (p = 0.035). During the OGTT, insulin concentrations at 60 min were significantly higher in Group PA+/AT + compared to Group PA+/AT- (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

A high frequency of AT among euthyroid prepubertal girls with PA was observed. The combination of PA with AT even in euthyroid state may be associated with a greater degree of insulin resistance, than PA alone.

Partial empty sella syndrome, GH deficiency and transient central adrenal insufficiency in a patient with NF1

PURPOSE

To describe the case of a 9-year-old male patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), partial empty sella (PES), transient central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) and growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) treated with recombinant GH (rGH).

METHODS

The diagnosis of GHD was established upon peak GH response <10 ng/mL following glucagon and clonidine stimulation tests. CAI was diagnosed when peak cortisol response was <18 μg/dL following 1 μg Synacthen test (ST) with normal ACTH levels.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of NF1 was made at the age of 1.5 year. The patient first attended our Department at the age of 4.5 years. He presented with short stature (height: 95 cm < 3rd percentile), macrocephaly, frontal bossing, café-au-lait spots and bilateral proptosis. His growth rate (GR) initially was 5.3 cm/year. Brain/pituitary MRI showed T2-hyperintensities typical for NF1 and PES with reduced pituitary gland height (3 mm). The pituitary function tests revealed GHD. During follow-up his imaging findings remained unchanged, while his GR decelerated. He was started on rGH at the age of 8.5 years. Within the following year he grew 8.7 cm in height and could preserve a normal GR thereafter. At the age of 10.3 years, he was diagnosed with CAI (maximum cortisol response post-1 μg ST: 13.1 μg/dL). Ηe received hydrocortisone for 1 year. A repeat 1 μg ST off hydrocortisone showed normal cortisol response. During follow-up, brain MRI findings remained stable, while his pituitary demonstrated normal size and signal intensity.

CONCLUSION

Empty sella and hypopituitarism may occur in the context of NF1. Short stature may be associated with GHD in the absence of intrasellar masses in affected individuals. Lifelong endocrine follow-up is recommended for all NF1 patients.

Adherence and long-term outcomes of therapy in paediatric patients in Greece using the easypod™ electromechanical device for growth hormone treatment: The phase IV multicentre easypod™ connect observational study (ECOS)

BACKGROUND

The easypod™ injection device allows automatic recording and transmission of adherence data from patients receiving recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH [Saizen®]) to treat growth disorders. This analysis aimed to evaluate the adherence of Saizen® administered via easypod™ in a cohort of Greek patients from the easypod™ connect observational study (ECOS).

METHODS

The phase IV, open-label, multicentre, observational, and longitudinal ECOS study (EMR200104-520, NCT01363674) enrolled patients treated for a minimum of 6 months and up to 3 years. The primary endpoint was to assess the mean rate of adherence to treatment at different time points, where good adherence was defined as ≥85%. Change in height, height standard deviation score (SDS), height velocity and height velocity SDS were evaluated after 1 year of treatment as secondary endpoints, together with the impact of adherence on growth outcomes using the Spearman's product moment.

RESULTS

Of the 180 patients enrolled, 86 were included in the analysis. The mean adherence to Saizen®, as recorded via easypod™, was high at each individual time point, and was maintained at 95.5% after 1 year of treatment. Clinically meaningful positive changes were also noted for all of the secondary endpoints (median increase in height = 7.25 cm, height SDS = 0.32, median height velocity = 7.62 cm/year and height velocity SDS = 1.65). However, no significant correlation was noted between adherence and growth outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

rhGH replacement therapy using Saizen® with easypod™ led to full compliance to the treatment in a representative Greek population from ECOS, and provided additional insights on how the easypod™ device can assist physicians in monitoring adherence and help to optimise linear growth in paediatric patients with growth disorders.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Specific Genetic Syndromes in Childhood and Adolescence

Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) is the most frequent cause of acquired thyroid dysfunction, most commonly presenting either as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' Disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by the presence of thyroid-specific autoantibodies, more commonly anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies in the serum and the typical inhomogeneous echostructure of the thyroid on a thyroid ultrasound examination. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can for a long time be accompanied by normal thyroid function and hypothyroidism can only progressively be established. Graves' disease is much less frequent in childhood and adolescence and presents with overt hyperthyroidism. After the onset of puberty, ATD affects females with a higher incidence than males, while during the prepubertal period there is not such a clear preponderance of affected females. ATD can occur either isolated or in the context of other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1D), celiac disease, alopecia areata, vitiligo, etc. Especially at the pediatric age, a higher incidence of ATD is also observed in the context of specific genetic syndromes, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome, or 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Nevertheless, although thyroid dysfunction may also be observed in other genetic syndromes, such as Prader-Willi or Williams syndrome, the thyroid dysfunction in these syndromes is not the result of thyroid autoimmunity. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence supporting a possible link between autoimmunity and RASopathies. In this review article the incidence, as well as the clinical manifestation and accompanied pathologies of ATD in specific genetic syndromes will be presented and regular follow-up for the early identification of the disorder will be proposed.

The value of prolactin in predicting prolactinοma in hyperprolactinaemic polycystic ovarian syndrome

BACKGROUND

To identify a serum prolactin (PRL) cut-off value indicative of a PRL-producing adenoma in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hyperprolactinaemia and characterize such patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present retrospective case-control study, the medical records of 528 PCOS women were reviewed. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in PCOS patients with PRL levels ≥94.0 ng/mL and/or symptoms suspicious of a pituitary adenoma (PA). Prolactinoma diagnosis was made in the presence of an MRI-identifiable PA with biochemical and radiological response to dopamine agonists. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine a serum PRL threshold that could identify hyperprolactinaemic PCOS subjects with prolactinomas. Clinical, metabolic and endocrine parameters were also analysed.

RESULTS

Among 528 patients with PCOS, 60 (11.4%) had elevated PRL levels. Of 44 (73.3%) patients who had pituitary imaging, 19 had PAs, 18 normal MRI and 7 other abnormalities. Patients harbouring prolactinomas had significantly higher PRL levels compared to patients without adenomas (median PRL 95.4 vs 49.2 ng/mL, P < .0001). A PRL threshold of 85.2 ng/mL could distinguish patients with prolactinomas with 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity [Area Under the curve (AUC) (95%) 0.91(0.8-1.018), P = .0001]. PCOS women with prolactinomas were younger and had lower LH levels compared to women without prolactinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with PCOS, PRL levels exceeding 85.2 ng/mL are highly suggestive of a prolactinoma warranting pituitary imaging. Pituitary MRI could also be considered in young PCOS patients with milder PRL elevation and low LH levels.

PCOS remains a diagnosis of exclusion: a concise review of key endocrinopathies to exclude

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous disorder associated with clinical, endocrine and ultrasonographic features that can also be encountered in a number of other diseases. It has traditionally been suggested that prolactin excess, enzymatic steroidogenic abnormalities and thyroid disorders need to be excluded before a diagnosis of PCOS is made. However, there is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of PCOS phenotype in some of these disorders, whereas other endocrine diseases that exhibit PCOS-like features may elude diagnosis and proper management if not considered. This article reviews the data of currently included entities that exhibit a PCOS phenotype and those that potentially need to be looked for, and attempts to identify specific features that distinguish them from idiopathic PCOS.