Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Inadequate glucocorticoid (GC) replacement may be associated with overexposure to GC, which can adversely influence metabolic and cardio-vascular state of hypopituitary growth hormone deficient adult patients (A-GHD). In this study we compared metabolic profile of ACTH insufficient and sufficient patients in A-GHD not treated with GH.Patients and methods: A cohort of 260 patients (age 48.6±12 years and BMI 28.7±6.6 kg/m2)...

Ghrelin is able to stimulate HPA axis in both humans and animals. Exaggerated ACTH and cortisol responses to ghrelin have been shown in patients with CD. Here we studied the role of ghrelin alone or in combination with CRH in the diagnosis of CD. In 21 CD patient (18 female, age 49.8±10.2 years, BMI 29.8±0.8 kg/m2, ten macroadenomas 11 microadenomas) we performed: i) ghrelin test (100 μg iv bolus) ii) CRH test (100 μg iv bolus) and iii) ghrelin+C...

Hypopituitarism as deficiency of one or more anterior pituitary hormones, in adults can be consequence of acquired or genetic causes. Only few published studies investigated population-based aetiology of hypopituitarism. In the last 10 years new risks for hypopituitarism have been recognised (traumatic brain injury-TBI, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cranial irradiation).Aim: To present our experiences in the aetiology of hypopituitarism based on data collect...

Background: Pituitary adenoma (PA) is an under-investigated pathology in the elderly.Objective: To review our case records of patients >70 years with PA, in order to evaluate presentation symptoms, hormonal results, and pituitary morphology.Patients: 48 patients aged 70 years or older (21 females/27 males) were identified from the group of 610 patients with PA (7.9%) diagnosed at Neuroendocrine Unit, Clinic for Endocrinology, B...

Objective: It has been difficult to identify factors that affect the risk of cancer but we know that people are at higher risk as they get older, or have a strong family history of cancer. The potential influence of environmental and behavioral factors remains poorly understood.Aim: To study associations between PA and family history of malignancy in first-degree and second-degree relatives. As separate analysis, to study associations between PA patients...

Introduction: Recently, major advances have been made in genetics of familial acromegaly and isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA). Mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon interacting protein (AIP) gene have been found in 25–50% of patients with FIPA and familial acromegaly.Aim of the study: Our goal was to identify and collect data on patients who met the criteria for FIPA.Patients and methods: The patients were identified between 2008...

Background: Several stimulatory tests for differential diagnosis of ACTH dependent Cushing’s syndrome are avilable, CRH being the most valuable test in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Exaggerated responses to ghrelin have also been shown in patients with CD mainly due to overexpression of GHS receptors on corticotrope tumor cells. However, the effects of combined stimulation with CRH+ghrelin on ACTH and cortisol secretion have not been tested before in these pa...

Objective: There is a complex cross-talk between bone and glucose metabolism. The surrogate markers of bone metabolism are osteocalcin (for bone formation) and CTx (for bone resorption). The osteoblast-derived protein osteocalcin has recently been shown to affect glucose homeostasis.Aim of the study: To investigate the relationship between markers of bone metabolism and parameters reflecting bone composition, glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in...

Study objective: We investigated prevalence of impaired glucose homeostasis in a large cohort of adult patients with GH deficiency (GHD), not treated with GH after more than 10 years of follow-up.Design: Seventy-one adult GHD patients (30 males, 41 females; mean age 48.3±2.0 years, mean BMI 28.8±0.7 kg/m2, GH deficient for 10.2±1.2 years) were evaluated. Ninety percent of patients had multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies whic...

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic disorder characterized of profound reduction in body weight and amenorrhoea. A product of complex interactions between psychological and clinical variables are important for the presence of the disease.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the variables which might predict full reproductive recovery of patients with anorexia nervosa.Material and methods: We studied closely mat...