Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
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13th European Congress of Endocrinology

Poster Presentations

Adrenal cortex

ea0026p1 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Pituitary–adrenal axis in male rats after exposure to high ambient temperature

Percinic-Popovska F , Ajdzanovic V , Trifunovic S , Jordanova M , Ilieski V , Pendovski L , Milosevic V

The global warming and its impact on the summer average temperature elevation, in the south-eastern parts of Europe, represent an inevitable stress for living organisms in this region. Heat stress was shown to be the strongest one, when compared to immobilization or cold stress. Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis during exposure to various types of stressors is well-known physiological concept. The effect of 24 h exposure to heat stress on the morp...

ea0026p2 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Relatival adrenal failure in trauma patient: therapy approach

Circo Eduard , Beciu Marian , Circo Razvan

Introduction: Relative adrenal insufficiency is considered a life threatening event, especially when associated with a serious event like trauma. Recognition and treatment of relative adrenal insufficiency is a challenge for clinical practitioner.Objectives: We wanted to study adrenal dysfunction, diagnostic methods corresponding to the emergency situation for a trauma patient, adaptative capability of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and th...

ea0026p3 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

MicroRNAs as endogenous modulators of glucocorticoid receptor expression in the adrenal gland after ACTH stimulation test

Hill A , Issler O , Spyroglou A , Haramati S , Chen A , Beuschlein F

MicroRNAs (miRs) are a subset of small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Little is known about the expression and the role of miRs in the adrenal gland. Thus, we determined the miRs expression pattern under baseline conditions and 10, 30 and 60 min after ACTH stimulation test in mice adrenal glands using miRs microarray. The miRs expression profile of adrenals obtained from the array was bioinformatically analyzed to indentify miRs that putati...

ea0026p4 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Effects and kinetics of mitotane in in vitro and in vivo models of adrenocortical carcinoma

Luconi M , Poli G , Mangoni M , Pezzati P , Francalanci M , Gelmini S , Canu L , Cantini G , Serio M , Mannelli M

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. At present, early diagnosis followed by total surgical tumor resection is the only valuable option for ACC cure and mitotane (MTT) is the only specific drug available for pharmacological treatment. However, its effects seem to be mainly due to its adrenocortical cytotoxicity and its bioavailability and cellular mechanism of action are still unknown, making it difficult to develop less toxic multid...

ea0026p5 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

The utility of FDG-PET CT in differentiating malignant from benign adrenal lesions

Oguz Basak , Zuhur Sayid Shafi , Karaman Ozcan , Velet Selvinaz , Altuntas Yuksel

Background: With the increasing use of USG, MRI and CT, adrenal lesions are frequently found in the daily practice. These lesions may be primary or secondary in origin. However, it is important to resolve whether these lesions are benign or malignant.Purpose: The aim of this case detection study was to compare FDG-PET CT with MRI in differentiating benign from malignant adrenal mass lesions.Patients: All patients were admitted to o...

ea0026p6 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

CT imaging in patients with adrenal incidentaloma

Brunova J , Bruna J

Adrenal masses which are found unexpectedly with US or CT examination of abdomen are called adrenal incidentalomas. The aim of study was to evaluate the contribution of imaging characteristics of incidentally discovered adrenal mass to the differential diagnosis.We have studied 60 patients with adrenal mass (21 M, 39 F, age 34–85 years) who had CT scan of abdomen for various diagnoses but they were not suspected to have adrenal pathology. The right ...

ea0026p7 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Self-management in patients with adrenal insufficiency

van Eck J P , Gobbens R J , Beukers J , Geilvoet W , van der Lely A J , Neggers S J C M M

Objective: The objective of this study was to asses the quality of self-management in patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency and to find patient-related factors that influence quality of self-management.Methods: The quantitative research was assessed by a questionnaire. Mainly focused topics were i) demographic data ii) daily medication intake iii) en route precautions and iv) dose adaptation during medical emergencies. One hundred and...

ea0026p8 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Validation of the disease-specific quality of life questionnaire AddiQoL in European Addison patients

Oksnes M , Lovas K

Introduction: Patients with Addison’s disease (AD) self-report impairment in specific dimensions on well-being questionnaires. An AD disease-specific quality of life questionnaire (AddiQoL) was developed to aid evaluation of patients. We here aimed to validate translated questionnaires in terms of internal consistency and reliability and to improve the construct of the scale.Methods: After translation by a multistep approach, the final versions were...

ea0026p9 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Diagnostic value of urinary steroid profiling for detecting adrenocortical carcinoma

Kerkhofs T M A , Kerstens M N , Kema I P , Hermsen I G C , Haak H R

The finding of an adrenal incidentaloma warrants a careful diagnostic work-up to assess hormonal activity and potential malignancy. Current diagnostic algorithms depend largely on imaging studies, which is time-consuming, expensive and carries a health risk. Urinary steroid profiling using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) might be a valuable diagnostic test for differentiating benign from malignant adrenal lesions, as adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) often cause abn...

ea0026p10 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Surgery in adrenocortical carcinoma; importance of national cooperation and centralized surgery

Hermsen I G C , Kerkhofs T M A , Butter G Den , Kievit J , Eijck C , van Dijkum E Nieveen , Haak H R

Introduction: The low incidence rate of adrenocortical carcinoma requires a multidisciplinary approach in which specialised surgery has an essential role as complete resection of the primary tumour is the only chance of cure.In order to improve patient care, insight into surgical results within the ACC population is essential. In 2007, a Dutch Adrenal Network Registry has been created encompassing care and outcome of patients treated for ACC in The Nethe...

ea0026p11 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Arthritis after removal of adrenal adenoma in Cushing’s syndrome

Ungureanu Maria-Christina , Cernohuz Adriana , Gorduza Carmen , Scripcariu Viorel , Vulpoi Carmen , Preda Cristina

Endogenous hypercortisolism is a well-known immunosuppressive condition. Such endogenous cortisol secretion could suppress the clinical presentation of an ongoing autoimmune process.A 49-year-old woman was admitted in our service in august 2010 for Cushing clinical signs, arterial hypertension and hypokalemia. She had high plasma cortisol not suppressed by 1 and 8 mg dexamethasone overnight, low ACTH. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a tumor (3...

ea0026p12 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Influence of drospirenone on renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system evaluation

Vroonen L , Cavalier E , Vranken L , Valdes-Socin H , Petrossians P , Beckers A

Introduction: Drospirenone is a synthetic progestin usually found in combination with ethynilestradiol in oral contraceptive formulas. In 2007, this compound was also used in hormonal replacement therapy during menopause. Drospirenone shows antimineralocoricoïd effect due to an analogy of structure with aldosterone. This effect counteracts the estrogen stimulating action of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAA) system, lowering water retention symptoms due to clas...

ea0026p13 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Redefinition of age and sex specific reference intervals of eight serum steroids by liquid chromatography: tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)

Fanelli F , Belluomo I , Di Lallo V D , Baccini M , Casadio E , Gasparini D Ibarra , Gambineri A , Pasquali R , Pagotto Uberto

The use of LC–MS/MS quantitative methods in clinical and research laboratories is becoming a well established reality that may overcome specificity and accuracy limits of immunoassays. Nevertheless, among different LC–MS/MS methods an agreement on the values that are to be considered normal or pathologic has not been reached yet, and this is mainly due to differences in LC–MS/MS methods, to the poor or absent availability of reference material and to the selecti...

ea0026p14 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Autosomal recessive pseudohypoaldosteronism: a rare cause of life-threatening electrolyte imbalance

Tharian K , Warner J T , Gregory J

A well-term baby born to consanguineous healthy Yemenese parents was observed in the hospital as parents had lost previous three babies (both male and female) within 10 days of age (in Yemen). These babies who were initially well were reported to have developed a rash and then collapsed and died. Post-mortems were not done. This baby who appeared well at birth, also developed a facial rash on day seven and was found to have hyponatremia and severe hyperkalemia, albeit a normal...

ea0026p15 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Interstitial cortisol levels obtained by adipose tissue microdialysis in mechanically ventilated septic patients: correlations with total and free serum cortisol

Ilias I , Dimopoulou I , Nikitas N , Tzanela M , Theodorakopoulou M , Vassiliadi D A , Kopteridis P , Maniatis N , Diamantakis Argyris , Orfanos Stylianos , Perogamvros Ilias , Ungerstedt U , Keevil B G , Tsagarakis Stylianos

Aim: To measure interstitial cortisol obtained by adipose tissue microdialysis (MD) as well as serum total and free cortisol in 31 mechanically ventilated patients upon sepsis onset (days 1 and 2). MD tissue glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and glycerol were also measured (as markers of altered or disrupted local energy production).Methods: The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) on day 1 and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOF...

ea0026p16 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Potential role of mast cells in the physiopathology of aldosterone-producing adenoma

Duparc Celine , Moreau Lucile , Perraudin Veronique , Gobet Francoise , Meatchi Tchao , Plouin Pierre-Francois , Zennaro Maria-Christina , Louiset Estelle , Lefebvre Herve

We have shown that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor type 4 (5-HT4R) agonists stimulate aldosterone production in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Moreover, 5-HT-positive cells were observed in APA tissues and 5-HT4R mRNAs were markedly overexpressed in APAs in comparison with normal adrenals. All these results suggested that 5-HT produced by adrenal mast cells could be involved in the physiopathology of APAs. The aim of this work was to investigate the rol...

ea0026p17 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Abstract withdrawn....

ea0026p18 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Bilateral primary adrenocortical carcinomas developing severe muscle weakness

Kumagai N , Shimodaira M , Tsuzawa K , Sorimachi E , Kametaka M , Honda K

Introduction: Primary adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare adrenal tumor and bilateral tumors are reported in 10% of total patient with ACC in Japan. We present a case of bilateral ACCs accompanied by severe muscle weakness.Case report: A 63-year-old male patient with bilateral adrenal masses was referred to our department for the examination and treatment of progressive muscle weakness and appetite loss lasting over 2 months. He was not able to stan...

ea0026p19 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Polymorphisms of the HSD11B1 gene as phenotype modifiers in women with hypercortisolism

Feldman K , Szappanos A , Liko I , Acs B , Toth M , Patocs A , Racz K

Objective: Several studies including ours have reported significant associations between polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HSD11B1 gene and bone metabolism. The aim of the present study was to explore systematically the potential associations between SNPs of the HSD11B1 gene and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and healthy postmenopausal women.Patients and methods: A complex bioinformatical including haplotype an...

ea0026p20 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Clinical presentation of Cushing’s syndrome in a large series from the European Registry on Cushing's syndrome (ERCUSYN)

Valassi Elena , Santos Alicia , Yaneva Maria , Toth Miklos , Strasburger Christian , Chanson Phillippe , Wass John , Chabre Olivier , Pfeifer Marija , Feelders Richard , Tsagarakis Stylianos , Trainer Peter , Franz Holger , Zopf Kathrin , Zacharieva Sabina , Lamberts Steven , Webb Susan

The European Registry on Cushing’s syndrome (ERCUSYN) is designed to collect prospective and follow-up data at EU level on patients with Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Baseline data on 481 CS patients (390 females, 91 males; mean age (±S.D.): 44±14 years) collected from 36 centres in 23 countries. This cohort included new patients since 2008 and retrospective cases since 2005. Patients were divided into four major etiologic groups: pituitary-depend...

ea0026p21 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Mortality and morbidity in Cushing’s syndrome: a single centre experience

Vitale P , Cozzolino A , De Leo M , Simeoli C , Galdiero M , Grasso L F S , Colao A , Pivonello R

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a severe disease caused by an endogenous glucocorticoid excess and it is correlated to an increased morbidity and mortality especially for sepsis and cardiovascular diseases, while hypertension, glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia are the most common systemic complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of patients with CS admitted at the Department of Endocrinology and Onc...

ea0026p22 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Cardiac structure and function in patients with adrenal incidentaloma with and without subclinical Cushing’s syndrome

De Leo M , Galderisi M , Cozzolino A , Simeoli C , Vitale P , Raia R , Colao A , Pivonello R

Hypercortisolism has been reported to affect cardiac structure and performance. Subclinical Cushing’s syndrome (SCS) is increasingly being reported in incidentally discovered adrenal tumors; its hallmark is a mild autonomous cortisol hypersecretion without specific clinical syndrome of glucocorticoid excess. The aim of this study was to compare cardiac structure and function in patients with adrenal incidentaloma. Thirty patients (10 men, 15 women, 32–74 years) and 3...

ea0026p23 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Multicenter study on the prevalence of sexual symptoms in men affected by Addison disease

Granata A , Pugni V , Arnaldi G , Guidi A , Santi D , Balercia G , Carani C

Introduction: Male sexual behaviour is deeply influenced by the endocrine system. However, few data are available on low cortisol serum levels and sexuality.Subjects and methods: In order to investigate the sexual function in 12 men before and during replacement treatment for Addison disease (AD), we performed sexual and psychological evaluations before replacement therapy (‘baseline’) and at least 8 weeks after complete recovery from cortisol ...

ea0026p24 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Hormones failing the heart

Pierides M , Cullen J , Al-Hamali S , Patel K , O'Malley B

Cardiovascular disease and diastolic hypertension are major causes of morbidity in Cushing’s although left ventricular failure is more rarely described. There are three other cases of documented dilated cardiomyopathy with subsequent left ventricular failure.Thirty-five year old lady who presented with obesity and striae was found to have a suppressed ACTH, elevated cortisol (914 post dexamethasone suppression test) and a right adrenal adenoma (on C...

ea0026p25 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Cushing’s syndrome in pregnancy due to LH/hCG receptor positive adrenocortical carcinoma: case report

Tigas S , Zikopoulos K , Lei Z , Rao C , Tsatsoulis A

Introduction: Cushing’s syndrome is rare during pregnancy perhaps because hypersecretion of glucocorticoids supresses pituitary gonadotrophin secretion resulting in subfertility. When present, the syndrome is usually due to adrenal disease and less commonly to pituitary adenomas or ectopic ACTH production. In the contrary, Cushing’s syndrome outside pregnancy is usually due to pituitary adenomas whereas non ACTH-dependent Cushing’s is less frequent.<p class=...

ea0026p26 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Predictive value of acute cortisol response to cabergoline administration on the responsiveness of cortisol secretion to short and long term treatment with cabergoline

Vitale P , Cozzolino A , De Leo M , Simeoli C , Galdiero M , Lombardi G , Colao A , Pivonello R

Cabergoline (CAB), a potent dopamine agonist, is one of the most effective neuromodulatory drug in the second line treatment of patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). The aim of the current study was to estimate the predictive value of the acute CAB administration on short and long term responsiveness to CAB treatment. Twenty CD patients (6 males, 14 females, 12–60 years) entered the study. The acute CAB test was performed evaluating serum cortisol every hour for 6 h ...

ea0026p27 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Do mitotane levels impact on the outcome of patients treated adjuvantly following radical resection of adrenocortical cancer (ACC)?

Ardito A , Al Ghuzian A , Fassnacht M , Daffara F , Leboulleux S , Wortmann S , Zaggia B , De Francia S , Volante Marco , Gonzaga Luigi , Berruti Alfredo , Allolio Bruno , Baudin Eric , Terzolo Massimo

We have demonstrated that adjuvant mitotane prolong recurrence free survival (RFS) in patients with radically resected ACC. Aim of the present study was to correlate mitotane levels with patient outcome in an adjuvant setting in 3 different referral centres in Europe. There were 120 patients (45 W, 75 M, median age 44 years, range 16–76) radically resected for ACC who were treated adjuvantly with mitotane from 1996 to 2010. ACC was stage I in 10 cases, II in 73, III in 31...

ea0026p28 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Impact of long-term cabergoline treatment on clinical, metabolic and hormonal features in patients with Cushing’s syndrome

Cozzolino A , Vitale P , De Leo M , Simeoli C , Grasso L F S , Lombardi G , Colao A , Pivonello R

Cabergoline (CAB) was demonstrated to be effective in normalizing cortisol secretion in a subset of patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of chronic treatment with CAB on clinical, metabolic and hormonal parameters in CD patients. Twenty-six patients with CD (11 males, 15 females, 12–72 years) entered the study. Patients were divided into two groups, responders and non responders, according to the achievement or not of ...

ea0026p29 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

TP53 and adrenocortical cancer: analysis of germline mutations and polymorphic changes in 140 patients

Herrmann Leonie , Heinze Britta , Fassnacht Martin , Willenberg Holger , Quinkler Marcus , Reisch Nicole , Allolio Bruno , Hahner Stefanie

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is part of the Li-Fraumeni tumour syndrome which is due to germline mutations in TP53. Recent studies demonstrate low penetrance mutations leading to later tumour manifestation. Furthermore, in ACC mutations outside the hotspot region have been found. TP53-polymorphisms have also been described to impact on p53 function. We, therefore investigated TP53 sequence alterations in a large cohort of adult patients with ACC.Method...

ea0026p30 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Is plasma mitotane level >30 mg/l a serious adverse event in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC)?: a retrospective analysis of the French COMETE network

Mauclere-Denost S M D , Tabarin A T , Drui D D , Chaillous L C , Salenave S S , Leboulleux S L , Chabre O C , Do-Cao C D C , Dubourg H D , Cuvelier M L C , Young J Y , Baudin E B

Background: Mitotane antitumor efficacy is related to plasma levels. Objective responses have been associated with mitotane plasma levels >14 mg/l. However, high plasma levels >20 or >30 mg/l are at higher risk of toxicity, especially neurotoxicity. National-based survey is lacking to evaluate the frequency and severity of high mitotane plasma levels. Our aim was to retrospectively describe serious adverse events (SAE).Methods: Mitotane plasm...

ea0026p31 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

18-Oxocortisol measurement in adrenal vein sampling as a biomarker for subclassifying primary aldosteronism

Satoh F , Nakamura Y , Morimoto R , Kudo M , Takase K , Sasano H , Ito S

Context: 18-Oxocortisol (18-oxoF) is a derivative of cortisol that is produced by aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). The potential for this steroid, as a biomarker for differentiating patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) from those with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), has not been examined.Objectives: We measured 18-oxoF, aldosterone (A) and cortisol (F) in plasma from adrenal vein sampling (AVS) patients. We compared 18-oxoF and 18-oxoF/F...

ea0026p32 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Mission study: an international observational study on the mortality in Cushing’s syndrome

Pivonello R , Melnichenko G , Zacharieva S , Gu F , Oscar B , Shah N S , Gaillard R , Colao A

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare but severe disease associated with an increased mortality especially due to cardiovascular diseases, and associated with various systemic complications, including hypertension, glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and coagulopathy. Few studies have systematically evaluated the mortality of CS in a large and worldwide population of CS. The MISSION study is a retrospective study aimed at assessing the mortality in a large ...

ea0026p33 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Response of human adrenocortical carcinoma cell lines to cytostatic drugs and mitotane and the role of the multidrug resistance pump MDR1

van Koetsveld P M , Dogan F , Misier M B , Feelders R A , de Herder W W , Hofland L J

Introduction: In case of inoperable disease or tumor recurrence, therapy with mitotane (MIT), sometimes in combination with doxorubicin (DOX), etoposide (ETO), cisplatin (CIS) or streptozocin (STREP), is frequently applied in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). The multidrug resistance pump MDR1 is responsible for resistance of tumor cells to cytostatic drugs. The activity of MDR1 is inhibited by the calcium-channel blocker verapamil. There are equivocal data in the ...

ea0026p34 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Norwegian patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia have a high frequency of adrenal myelolipomas and adrenal hypoplasia, and testicular adrenal rest tumours was only detected in men with the saltwasting form

Nermoen I N , Rorvik J R , Holmedal S H H , Hykkerud D L H , Fougner K J , Svartberg J S , Husebye E S H , Lovas K L

Background: Increased frequencies of adrenal tumours and testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) have been reported in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).Objective: To investigate the frequency of adrenal abnormalities and TART in an unselected adult population of CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OH) and whether adrenal and testicular pathology correlate with disease categories, current hormone levels and treatment.Patient...

ea0026p35 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Presence of liver X receptors alfa (LXRalfa) and beta (LXRbeta) in cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas

Bellastella G , Visconti D , Conzo G , Rossi V , Palumbo V , De Bellis A , Bellastella A , Sinisi A A

Liver X receptors (LXRalfa and LXRalfa) act on the cholesterol homeostasis in several tissues, including adrenals. In particular, LXRalfa regulates the expression of several genes involved in the cholesterol efflux and storage and modulates glucocorticoid synthesis in mice. The level of the expression of LXRs in the human adrenal adenomas is unknown. We evaluated LXRalfa and LXRbeta mRNA levels in cortisol-secreting adenomas (CSA) and in the surrounding normal tissue, obtained...

ea0026p36 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Radiosurgery with application of protone beam in patients with Cushing’s disease: a hormonal monitoring of the long-term results

Marova E , Goncharov N , Kolesnikova G , Arapova S , Zhimirikina M , Manchenko O

Patients with Cushing’s disease were treated with proton beam surgery (pituitary irradiation) and the long-term results were studied. Hormone levels in 197 patients with the verified Cushing’s disease (161 woman and 36 men) were monitored after proton irradiation. Age of patients before irradiation is 17–54 years. Duration of supervision is 1–24 years.In peripheral blood, the concentration of pituitary hormones (ACTH, prolactin, LH, F...

ea0026p37 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Thoracic and gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and the ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS)

Kamp K , Alwani A , Feelders R A , de Herder W W

Introduction: The ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) is associated with a variety of malignancies, mostly of (neuro-)endocrine origin. Several series report on the relative contribution of EAS in the spectrum of Cushing’s syndrome. However, information on the incidence/prevalence of EAS in the setting of patients diagnosed with thoracic or gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) is virtually absent.Study design: In our tertiary academic ...

ea0026p38 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

The role of insulin tolerance test (ITT) and ACTH/cortisol ratio in chronic fatigue patients

Coucke F , Hertoghe T , Rindsig G , Coucke L , Lammens H

Rationale: In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) there is a great controversy about the role of the ACTH/cortisol axis. To examine this phenomena we performed ITT tests in CFS patients with low fasting cortisol (<20 μg/dl). A group of CFS patients with other hypofysal dysfunction were also examined.Methods: One hundred and one patients who underwent classical fasting ITT were registered and analyzed: glucose, cortisol, ACTH and GH were measured and ...

ea0026p39 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Quality of life in patients in long-term remission of Cushing’s syndrome is impaired, regardless of etiology, treatment strategy or remaining hormonal deficiencies

Wagenmakers M , Netea-Maier R , Dekkers T , den Heijer M , Hermus A

Background: Impaired health related quality of life (QOL) in patients in long-term remission of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) has previously been reported. However, the major determinants of the impaired QOL have not yet been established.Aim: To investigate QOL of patients in long-term remission of CS treated in our hospital (1969–2007) and to investigate the influence of the etiology of CS, treatment strategy, coexistent hypopituitarism and glucocor...

ea0026p40 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Sunitinib in refractory adrenocortical carcinoma: results of a phase II trial

Fassnacht M , Kroiss M , Hahner S , Strasburger C , Allolio B , Quinkler M

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare solid tumor with poor prognosis in advanced stages. The adrenolytic drug mitotane and cytotoxic chemotherapies are current treatment options with limited clinical efficacy. Animal experiments pointed to an adrenotoxic effect of sunitinib suggesting potential antineoplastic activity in ACC.Study population: Thirty-eight patients with advanced ACC progressing after mitotane and 1–3 cytotoxic chemoth...

ea0026p41 | Adrenal cortex | ECE2011

Adrenal insufficiency: etiopathogeny and diagnostic aspects

Crista Corina , Niederl Corina Laura

The diagnosis of the adrenal insufficiency requires complex clinical, laboratory and imagistic investigations. The study group was represented by 59 cases of adrenal insufficiency hospitalized in the Clinic of Endocrinology Timisoara, Romania, during the period 2000–2010 (age=42.10±16.30 years; F/M ratio=43/16). The patients were divided in two groups: primary adrenal insufficiency (42.37%) and secondary adrenal insufficiency (57.63%). In the group of primary adrenal...