Endocrine Abstracts

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent cardiovascular risk factor in acromegaly. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate sex-related differences in OSAS characteristics and indications of non-invasive ventilation.Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine adult patients (16 F, 23 M) from two European centers were studied by home sleep apnea test (HSAT) or polysomnography (PSG). OSA was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5/h and analyzed a...

Background: Previous studies indicate that PAS-LAR can achieve control of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels and may reduce tumor size, however a subset of acromegaly patients responds poorly. T2-signal intensity, somatostatin receptor (SST) subtype 2 and 5 expression, and the response to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) are recognized predictors of therapy response. Valid prediction of the response to PAS-LAR can alter treatment stratification.</...

Increased secretion of GH results in gigantism in children/adolescents and in acromegaly in adults; the relative roles of the various genetic causes of acromegaly and gigantism are still unclear. To analyse the genetic causes and inherited/familial features in patients with pituitary gigantism, we studied a large international cohort. Genetic or inherited characteristics were observed in 39% of patients and included familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA; n=28), M...

Objective: MRI T2-signal intensity and somatostatin (SST) receptor expression are recognized predictors of therapy response in acromegaly. We investigate the relationship between these predictors and the hormonal and tumor responses to PAS-LAR therapy, and compare to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) responsiveness.Methods: We included 45 acromegalics initially receiving SRLs, followed by a combination therapy including pegvisomant (P...

The Liège Acromegaly Survey is a cross-sectional study on acromegalic patients, developed as an in-house tool in Liège, then extended to other Europeans participating centers. The database differentiates itself from national and multinational registries by adopting a goal oriented approach and it was conceived following a list of open questions on acromegaly. After an initial test run in Liège, the database installation started on mid-March 2010. Thirteen other ...

Background: Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity/mortality in chronic GH hypersecretion.Aim: To evaluate cardiovascular system in a large series of patients with pituitary gigantism. Standard case report forms were used with height assessments related to local country norms. Results: 151pts (123 male) with GH-excess and abnormal growth velocity for age or final height >2SD over local norms had complete data on cardiac assessments...