Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Low-serum concentrations of 25(OH)-vitamin D are associated with insulin resistance in adults. Recent in vitro studies have suggested that vitamin D may play a role in the regulation of adiponectin, leptin and resistin; since all these adipokines are related to insulin sensitivity modulation, they might represent a link between vitamin D status and insulin resistance.Aim: To identify possible correlations between 25(OH)-vitamin D ser...

Background: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality, especially in elderly, hospitalized patients, with a prevalence of severe hyponatremia (<125 mmol/l) up to 6–8%. Pituitary insufficiency (TSH+ACTH) may be difficult to diagnose, but it is important to differentiate it from SIADH and cerebral salt wasting syndrome.Aim: To describe the aetiology and outcome of patients with hyponatremia due to pituitary insufficiency in a tertiary endoc...

Introduction: The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has dramatically increased over the last 20–30 years.Childhood overweight is associated with higher risk of obesity into adulthood and a higher incidence of metabolic consequences.Objectives: To identify the prevalence of metabolic complications in obese children and adolescents.Methods: One thirty-two obese children and adolescents (age...

Introduction: The concentrations of pituitary hormones in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are much lower that their serum counterpart.Aim: To study the CSF access for pituitary glycoprotein hormones (GPH) in patients with pituitary adenomas (PA).Patients and methods: In 221 cases submitted to transsphenoidal surgery for PA (85 acromegaly – ACM, 92 nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas – NFA, 44 prolactinomas – PRM) the sur...

Objective: To assess the usefulness of the GnRH analogue Diphereline (Triptoreline) in the evaluation of central gonadal dysfunction in children and adults.Methods: A 18-month retrospective study of dynamic testing of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis in 36 patients, 10 prepubescent children (<13 years for girls and 14 years for boys) and 26 postpubescent subjects. The children were investigated for disorders of sexual development while the adu...

Introduction: Parasellar extension of macroprolactinomas defined on imaging criteria was reported to be an independent predictor of hormonal resistance to dopamine agonists (DA).Methods: Two hundred and twelve patients with macroprolactinomas (87 M/125 F), treated with DA for 5 years median period; prolactin (fluoroimmunoassay or chemiluminescence), CT scan and/or MRI with contrast agents were performed; maximum diameter evolution was reported.<p cla...

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare syndrome due to hemorrhagic infarction of a pituitary adenoma. We analyze the circumstances of diagnosis, clinical features and evolution in a retrospective review of patients with pituitary apoplexy admitted between 2000 and 2010, diagnosed by pathological exam and/or suggestive imaging for pituitary haemorrhage.Results: From 31 patients with pituitary apoplexy (11 women, 20 men) with a mean age of 48 years at diagnosis (20&...

Introduction: Ovarian hyperthecosis is a rare cause of severe hyperandrogenism. Unlike PCOS, it is also described in postmenopausal women.We report the case of a 67-year-old obese (BMI=37.5 kg/m2) and dyslipidemic woman, gravid 5 para 3, menopause at 49, with poor controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c=10%). She was in treatment with insulin for the last 12 years, currently on 168 U/24 h (1.71 U/kg)- indicating severe insulin resistance, c...

Background: Endocrine hypertension accounts for around 3% of the secondary forms of hypertension and screening of young hypertensive patients for secondary causes is mandatory.Aim: To present difficulties in endocrine assessment of arterial hypertension in people younger than 40 years.Patients and methods: Twenty-two patients (15 M/7 F), aged 27.1±7.7 years (range:16-40 years), with systemic hypertension (systolic blood pressu...

Introduction: Remission rate in microprolactinomas after treatment with dopamine agonists (DA) is variable, from about 25% in bromocriptine-treated patients to 46% in those treated with cabergoline.Patients: We retrospectively studied the remission rate in 98 patients with prolactinomas ≤1 cm evaluated in 1982–2009 in our department and treated with DA for at least 1 year.Results: Mean age of patients is 26.5±8 year...