A Brazilian multicentre study evaluating pregnancies induced by cabergoline in patients harboring prolactinomas

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the maternal-fetal outcomes of CAB-induced pregnancies in patients with prolactinoma in a large cohort.

METHODS

The prevalence of tumor growth, miscarriage, preterm, low birth weight, congenital malformations and impairment in neuropsychological development in children among women treated with CAB were assessed in a Brazilian multicentre retrospective observational study, RESULTS: We included 194 women with a mean age of 31 (17-45) years, 43.6% presenting microadenomas and 56.4% macroadenomas, at prolactinoma diagnosis. In 233 pregnancies, CAB was withdrawn in 89%, after pregnancy confirmation. Symptoms related to tumor growth occurred in 25 cases, more frequently in macroadenomas. The overall miscarriage rate was 11%, although higher in the subgroup of patients with CAB maintainance after pregnancy confirmation (38% vs. 7.5%). Amongst the live-birth deliveries, preterm occurred in 12%, low birth weight in 6% and congenital malformations in 4.3%. Neuropsychological development impairment was reported in 7% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm previous results of safety in maternal and fetal outcomes in CAB-induced pregnancies; nevertheless, CAB maintenance after pregnancy confirmation was associated with higher miscarriage rate; result that must be further confirmed.

Evaluation of bone texture imaging parameters on panoramic radiographs of patients with Sheehan's syndrome: a STROBE-compliant case-control study

Sheehan's syndrome (SHS) is a rare condition related to the risk of osteoporosis and evaluation of bone texture imaging features on panoramic radiographs would be suitable for this condition, which was the aim of the present study. Fractal dimension, lacunarity, and trabecular morphologic aspects were significantly altered in these patients.

INTRODUCTION

SHS is an important public health problem particularly in developing countries. It is characterized as postpartum hypopituitarism secondary to obstetric complications-related ischemic pituitary necrosis that shows significant systemic metabolic repercussions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate bone texture parameters in digital panoramic radiographs of patients with SHS.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted with 30 SHS patients from an Endocrinology and Diabetology Service of reference in Brazil, and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. A custom computer program measured fractal dimension, lacunarity, and some morphologic features in the following mandibular regions of interest (50 × 50 pixels): below the mental foramen (F1), between the first and second molars (M1), and at the center of the mandibular ramus (R1).

RESULTS

The fractal analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the studied groups in all regions of interest. The fractal dimension in F1 (p = 0.016), M1 (p = 0.043), and R1 (p = 0.028) was significantly lower in SHS group, as well as lacunarity in R1 (p = 0.008). Additionally, several morphologic features were statistically significant in the SHS group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Therefore, individuals with SHS showed altered imaging texture parameters on panoramic radiographs, which reflect a smaller spatial organization of the bone trabeculae and, possibly, a state of reduced mineral bone density.

GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6)-induced ACTH release in patients with addison's disease: effect of glucocorticoid withdrawal

GH releasing peptide (GHRP-6) is a synthetic hexapeptide with potent GH releasing activity both in man and in animals. This peptide is also able to stimulate ACTH and cortisol (F) release. It has been suggested that the ACTH responsiveness to GHRP-6 is modulated by circulating glucocorticoid levels. To further clarify this hypothesis, we studied the effect of GHRP-6 (1 ug/kg, iv) on ACTH and F release in patients with Addison's disease (no.=6) during replacement therapy and after 72 h of glucocorticoid withdrawal. Seven controls were also submitted to a single GHRP-6 test. In control subjects, ACTH values (pmol/l; mean +/- SE) increased from 2.9 +/- 0.8 to 4.7 +/- 1.4 (peak). AUC (pmol.min/l) values were 170.3 +/- 48.8. F (nmol/l) values increased from 257.0 +/- 42.9 to 367.0 +/- 50.8. In patients with Addison's disease there was an increase in ACTH levels from 38.1 +/- 17.1 to 174.9 +/- 79.4 after GHRP-6 administration. AUC values were 5490.4 +/- 2269.1. After 72 h withdrawal of glucocorticoid, there was an increase in basal ACTH values (191.2 +/- 97.3), and a trend toward an increase in ACTH levels after GHRP-6 (p=0.053). Patients with Addison's disease on therapy showed a significantly higher ACTH response to GHRP-6 when compared to controls. Our results show that in patients with Addison's disease on replacement there is an increased ACTH release after GHRP-6 administration, compared to controls. After 72 h glucocorticoid withdrawal, this enhanced responsiveness is not maintained. Our data suggest that circulating glucocorticoids modulate GHRP-6-induced ACTH release and that multiple mechanisms may be involved in this process.