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JAMA Jul 2023Cushing syndrome is defined as a prolonged increase in plasma cortisol levels that is not due to a physiological etiology. Although the most frequent cause of Cushing... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Cushing syndrome is defined as a prolonged increase in plasma cortisol levels that is not due to a physiological etiology. Although the most frequent cause of Cushing syndrome is exogenous steroid use, the estimated incidence of Cushing syndrome due to endogenous overproduction of cortisol ranges from 2 to 8 per million people annually. Cushing syndrome is associated with hyperglycemia, protein catabolism, immunosuppression, hypertension, weight gain, neurocognitive changes, and mood disorders.
OBSERVATIONS
Cushing syndrome characteristically presents with skin changes such as facial plethora, easy bruising, and purple striae and with metabolic manifestations such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and excess fat deposition in the face, back of the neck, and visceral organs. Cushing disease, in which corticotropin excess is produced by a benign pituitary tumor, occurs in approximately 60% to 70% of patients with Cushing syndrome due to endogenous cortisol production. Evaluation of patients with possible Cushing syndrome begins with ruling out exogenous steroid use. Screening for elevated cortisol is performed with a 24-hour urinary free cortisol test or late-night salivary cortisol test or by evaluating whether cortisol is suppressed the morning after an evening dexamethasone dose. Plasma corticotropin levels can help distinguish between adrenal causes of hypercortisolism (suppressed corticotropin) and corticotropin-dependent forms of hypercortisolism (midnormal to elevated corticotropin levels). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling, and adrenal or whole-body imaging can help identify tumor sources of hypercortisolism. Management of Cushing syndrome begins with surgery to remove the source of excess endogenous cortisol production followed by medication that includes adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, pituitary-targeted drugs, or glucocorticoid receptor blockers. For patients not responsive to surgery and medication, radiation therapy and bilateral adrenalectomy may be appropriate.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The incidence of Cushing syndrome due to endogenous overproduction of cortisol is 2 to 8 people per million annually. First-line therapy for Cushing syndrome due to endogenous overproduction of cortisol is surgery to remove the causative tumor. Many patients will require additional treatment with medications, radiation, or bilateral adrenalectomy.
Topics: Humans; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Cushing Syndrome; Hydrocortisone; Hypertension; Pituitary Neoplasms
PubMed: 37432427
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.11305 -
Pituitary Feb 2024The 14th Acromegaly Consensus Conference was convened to consider biochemical criteria for acromegaly diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.
PURPOSE
The 14th Acromegaly Consensus Conference was convened to consider biochemical criteria for acromegaly diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.
METHODS
Fifty-six acromegaly experts from 16 countries reviewed and discussed current evidence focused on biochemical assays; criteria for diagnosis and the role of imaging, pathology, and clinical assessments; consequences of diagnostic delay; criteria for remission and recommendations for follow up; and the value of assessment and monitoring in defining disease progression, selecting appropriate treatments, and maximizing patient outcomes.
RESULTS
In a patient with typical acromegaly features, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I > 1.3 times the upper limit of normal for age confirms the diagnosis. Random growth hormone (GH) measured after overnight fasting may be useful for informing prognosis, but is not required for diagnosis. For patients with equivocal results, IGF-I measurements using the same validated assay can be repeated, and oral glucose tolerance testing might also be useful. Although biochemical remission is the primary assessment of treatment outcome, biochemical findings should be interpreted within the clinical context of acromegaly. Follow up assessments should consider biochemical evaluation of treatment effectiveness, imaging studies evaluating residual/recurrent adenoma mass, and clinical signs and symptoms of acromegaly, its complications, and comorbidities. Referral to a multidisciplinary pituitary center should be considered for patients with equivocal biochemical, pathology, or imaging findings at diagnosis, and for patients insufficiently responsive to standard treatment approaches.
CONCLUSION
Consensus recommendations highlight new understandings of disordered GH and IGF-I in patients with acromegaly and the importance of expert management for this rare disease.
Topics: Humans; Acromegaly; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Delayed Diagnosis; Human Growth Hormone; Growth Hormone
PubMed: 37923946
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01360-1 -
Pharmacological Research Jul 2023We evaluated the efficacy, safety, adherence, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) vs daily growth hormone (GH) preparations... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Efficacy, safety, quality of life, adherence and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone replacement therapy compared to daily growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
We evaluated the efficacy, safety, adherence, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) vs daily growth hormone (GH) preparations in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to July 2022 on randomized and non-randomized studies involving children with GHD receiving LAGH as compared to daily GH. Meta-analyses for efficacy and safety were performed comparing different LAGH/daily GH formulations. From the initial 1393 records, we included 16 studies for efficacy and safety, 8 studies for adherence and 2 studies for QoL. No studies reporting cost-effectiveness were found. Pooled mean differences of mean annualized height velocity (cm/year) showed no difference between LAGH and daily GH: Eutropin Plus® vs Eutropin® [- 0.14 (-0.43, 0.15)], Eutropin Plus® vs Genotropin® [- 0.74 (-1.83, 0.34)], Jintrolong® vs Jintropin AQ® [0.05 (-0.54, 0.65)], Somatrogon vs Genotropin® [- 1.40 (-2.91, 0.10)], TransCon vs Genotropin® [0.93 (0.26, 1.61)]. Also, other efficacy and safety outcomes, QoL and adherence were comparable for LAGH and daily GH. Our results showed that, although most of the included studies had some concerns for risk of bias, regarding efficacy and safety all the LAGH formulations were similar to daily GH. Future high quality studies are needed to confirm these data. Adherence and QoL should be addressed from real-world data studies for both the mid and long term and in a larger population. Cost-effectiveness studies are needed to measure the economic impact of LAGH from the healthcare payer's perspective.
Topics: Humans; Child; Human Growth Hormone; Growth Hormone; Quality of Life; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Hormone Replacement Therapy
PubMed: 37236413
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106805 -
Nature Reviews. Endocrinology Oct 2023Cushing disease caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary corticotroph adenoma leads to hypercortisolaemia with high mortality due to... (Review)
Review
Cushing disease caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary corticotroph adenoma leads to hypercortisolaemia with high mortality due to metabolic, cardiovascular, immunological, neurocognitive, haematological and infectious conditions. The disorder is challenging to diagnose because of its common and heterogenous presenting features and the biochemical pitfalls of testing levels of hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Several late-night salivary cortisol and 24-h urinary free cortisol tests are usually required as well as serum levels of cortisol after a dexamethasone suppression test. MRI might only identify an adenoma in 60-75% of patients and many adenomas are small. Therefore, inferior petrosal sinus sampling remains the gold standard for confirmation of ACTH secretion from a pituitary source. Initial treatment is usually transsphenoidal adenoma resection, but preoperative medical therapy is increasingly being used in some countries and regions. Other management approaches are required if Cushing disease persists or recurs following surgery, including medications to modulate ACTH or block cortisol secretion or actions, pituitary radiation, and/or bilateral adrenalectomy. All patients require lifelong surveillance for persistent comorbidities, clinical and biochemical recurrence, and treatment-related adverse effects (including development of treatment-associated hypopituitarism). In this Review, we discuss challenges in the management of Cushing disease in adults and provide information to guide clinicians when planning an integrated and individualized approach for each patient.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Adenoma; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Pituitary Neoplasms
PubMed: 37537306
DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00868-7 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its... (Review)
Review
, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its possible beneficial effects on the human body. It is proved that, among others, Ashwagandha has anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and hypolipidemic properties. Particularly interesting are its properties reported in the field of psychiatry and neurology: in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, anxiety disorders and many others. The aim of this review is to find and summarize the effect that Ashwagandha root extract has on the endocrine system and hormones. The multitude of active substances and the wide hormonal problems faced by modern society sparked our interest in the topic of Ashwagandha's impact on this system. In this work, we also attempted to draw conclusions as to whether can help normalize the functions of the human endocrine system in the future. The search mainly included research published in the years 2010-2023. The results of the research show that Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, including improving the secretory function of the thyroid gland, normalizing adrenal activity, and multidirectional improvement on functioning of the reproductive system. The main mechanism of action in the latter appears to be based on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as a decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in men were found, which results in stress level reduction and improvement in fertility. In turn, other studies prove that active substances from , acting on the body, cause an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In light of these findings, it is clear that Ashwagandha holds significant promise as a natural remedy for various health concerns, especially those related to the endocrine system. Future research may provide new insights into its mechanisms of action and expand its applications in both traditional and modern medicine. The safety and toxicity of Ashwagandha also remain important issues, which may affect its potential use in specific patient groups.
Topics: Male; Humans; Withania; Plant Extracts; Thyroid Gland; Luteinizing Hormone
PubMed: 38003702
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216513 -
Lancet (London, England) Jun 2024Partial or complete deficiency of anterior or posterior pituitary hormone production leads to central hypoadrenalism, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic... (Review)
Review
Partial or complete deficiency of anterior or posterior pituitary hormone production leads to central hypoadrenalism, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, or arginine vasopressin deficiency depending on the hormones affected. Hypopituitarism is rare and likely to be underdiagnosed, with an unknown but rising incidence and prevalence. The most common cause is compressive growth or ablation of a pituitary or hypothalamic mass. Less common causes include genetic mutations, hypophysitis (especially in the context of cancer immunotherapy), infiltrative and infectious disease, and traumatic brain injury. Clinical features vary with timing of onset, cause, and number of pituitary axes disrupted. Diagnosis requires measurement of basal circulating hormone concentrations and confirmatory hormone stimulation testing as needed. Treatment is aimed at replacement of deficient hormones. Increased mortality might persist despite treatment, particularly in younger patients, females, and those with arginine vasopressin deficiency. Patients with complex diagnoses, pregnant patients, and adolescent pituitary-deficient patients transitioning to adulthood should ideally be managed at a pituitary tumour centre of excellence.
Topics: Humans; Hypopituitarism; Female; Male
PubMed: 38735295
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00342-8 -
The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology Aug 2023Cyclic Cushing's syndrome is a subentity of Cushing's syndrome in which phases of biochemical hypercortisolism (peaks) are followed by spontaneous periods of... (Review)
Review
Cyclic Cushing's syndrome is a subentity of Cushing's syndrome in which phases of biochemical hypercortisolism (peaks) are followed by spontaneous periods of physiological or even hypocortisolaemic cortisol secretion (troughs). To identify common features of cyclic Cushing's syndrome, we systematically reviewed single case reports and case series in MEDLINE from database inception to Oct 10, 2022, and identified 707 articles, of which 149 articles were assessed for eligibility and 118 articles (covering 212 cases) were included in the analysis. Pituitary tumours accounted for 67% of cases of cyclic Cushing's syndrome (n=143), ectopic tumours for 17% (n=36), and adrenal tumours for 11% (n=23). Occult tumours accounted for 2% of cases (n=4), and 3% of cases were unclassified (n=6). We compared the clinical symptoms and comorbidities of patients with cyclic Cushing's syndrome with those of patients with non-cyclic Cushing's syndrome and observed no major difference. In adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent cyclic Cushing's syndrome, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling had a positive (ie, true pituitary) and negative (ie, true ectopic) predictive value of 100% when performed during periods of hypercortisolism, versus a positive predictive value of 73% and a negative predictive value of 86% when performed, irrespective of cortisolaemic status. Overall, 6% of patients (n=12) with cyclic Cushing's syndrome had unnecessary surgery due to misclassification. Remission rates were significantly lower and the time to remission significantly longer in patients with cyclic Cushing's syndrome compared with patients with non-cyclic Cushing's syndrome (p<0·001). Variations in biochemical test results due to unpredictable cycle duration and frequency might cause diagnostic challenges resulting in misdiagnoses and missed diagnoses.
Topics: Humans; Cushing Syndrome; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Petrosal Sinus Sampling; Pituitary Neoplasms; Predictive Value of Tests; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 37429301
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00150-X -
Cureus Aug 2023Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition that can impact multiple organs in the body such as the lungs, skin, eyes, and, occasionally, the central nervous system. When...
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition that can impact multiple organs in the body such as the lungs, skin, eyes, and, occasionally, the central nervous system. When sarcoidosis affects the nervous system, it is referred to as neurosarcoidosis and is estimated to occur in approximately 5%-15% of sarcoid patients. When neurosarcoidosis affects the pituitary gland, it can result in panhypopituitarism, which can be life-threatening. A 35-year-old male with a known diagnosis of sarcoidosis by skin biopsies presented to the hospital with altered mental status, hypernatremia, hypotension, and hypothermia. He reported symptoms of polyuria and polydipsia for several weeks before admission. Laboratory workup revealed elevated serum sodium at 167 mmol/L, high serum osmolality at 381 mOsm/kg, and low urine osmolality at 381 mOsm/kg, consistent with diabetes insipidus. Anterior pituitary hormone profile workup revealed low 8 am serum cortisol (1.9 mcg/dL) and inappropriately normal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (34 pg/ml), low serum free testosterone (<2.5 ng/dL), low luteinizing hormone (0.7 mIU/ml), low follicular stimulating hormone (< 2.6 mIU/ml), low free T4 at 0.4 ng/dL. and inappropriately normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at 2.77 uIU/mL. Serum prolactin was mildly elevated at 86.8 ng/mL. Angiotensin-converting enzyme level was within the normal range at 33 U/L. A diagnosis of panhypopituitarism was made. Brain MRI revealed a 3 cm mass in the suprasellar region involving the hypothalamus and bilateral optic tracts with a mass effect on the anterior third ventricle. No discrete pituitary or stalk lesion was identified. A ventriculostomy tube was placed for developing hydrocephalus. A biopsy of the suprasellar mass revealed non-caseating granuloma, confirming neurosarcoidosis. Treatment was initiated with high-dose IV corticosteroids to manage secondary adrenal insufficiency and neurosarcoidosis. He was also started on IV desmopressin and IV levothyroxine to manage his diabetes insipidus and central hypothyroidism. He was transitioned to oral therapy upon discharge. Panhypopituitarism secondary to neurosarcoidosis is a rare presentation that can occur due to the infiltration of the pituitary gland or the infiltration of the hypothalamus affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Neurosarcoidosis should be considered a differential when evaluating patients with symptoms consistent with panhypopituitarism. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of corticosteroids and deficient hormones can be lifesaving.
PubMed: 37692696
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43169