Pituitary diseases: long-term clinical consequences

This thesis describes various studies during the long-term follow-up of patients after treatment for pituitary diseases. The focus of this thesis is acromegaly, growth hormone deficiency, sleep and quality of life. Various aspects are described.UBL - phd migration 201

Short-term overt hypothyroidism induces sympathovagal imbalance in thyroidectomized differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients

P>Context Thyroid hormone impacts on the cardiovascular system. (Subclinical) hyperthyroidism results in sympathovagal imbalance due to decreased vagal tone. However, conflicting data have been reported on the effects of hypothyroidism on the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In hypothyroidism, both increased and decreased sympathetic activity and increased vagal tone have been found. Objective To study the effects of acute short-term overt hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement therapy on the ANS by measuring urinary excretion of catecholamines and heart rate variability (HRV). Design Prospective study. Setting University hospital. Patients We studied 11 patients, previously treated with thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma, during hypothyroidism caused by cessation of thyroxine substitution for 4 weeks and during thyroxine replacement therapy, and 21 matched healthy controls. Main outcome measures The activity of the ANS was assessed by measuring urinary excretion of catecholamines and HRV at rest and during a challenge of the ANS by a mental stress test. Results Urinary dopamine excretion was significantly lower during hypothyroidism. Although in the patients total variability was unchanged, HRV analysis showed a significantly lower low frequency/high frequency ratio, indicating sympathovagal imbalance with sympathetic withdrawal. The mental stress test in the patients resulted in a significant increase in heart rate to the extent of 16-18%. This response was not different between the hypothyroid state and during thyroxine replacement therapy suggesting that cardiovascular reflexes in these patients remain intact. Conclusion Acute short-term overt hypothyroidism results in sympathovagal imbalance with sympathetic withdrawal, with preservation of the cardiovascular reflexes to (mental) stress.Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiological changes and therap

Short-term overt hypothyroidism induces sympathovagal imbalance in thyroidectomized differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients

P>Context Thyroid hormone impacts on the cardiovascular system. (Subclinical) hyperthyroidism results in sympathovagal imbalance due to decreased vagal tone. However, conflicting data have been reported on the effects of hypothyroidism on the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In hypothyroidism, both increased and decreased sympathetic activity and increased vagal tone have been found. Objective To study the effects of acute short-term overt hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement therapy on the ANS by measuring urinary excretion of catecholamines and heart rate variability (HRV). Design Prospective study. Setting University hospital. Patients We studied 11 patients, previously treated with thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma, during hypothyroidism caused by cessation of thyroxine substitution for 4 weeks and during thyroxine replacement therapy, and 21 matched healthy controls. Main outcome measures The activity of the ANS was assessed by measuring urinary excretion of catecholamines and HRV at rest and during a challenge of the ANS by a mental stress test. Results Urinary dopamine excretion was significantly lower during hypothyroidism. Although in the patients total variability was unchanged, HRV analysis showed a significantly lower low frequency/high frequency ratio, indicating sympathovagal imbalance with sympathetic withdrawal. The mental stress test in the patients resulted in a significant increase in heart rate to the extent of 16-18%. This response was not different between the hypothyroid state and during thyroxine replacement therapy suggesting that cardiovascular reflexes in these patients remain intact. Conclusion Acute short-term overt hypothyroidism results in sympathovagal imbalance with sympathetic withdrawal, with preservation of the cardiovascular reflexes to (mental) stress

Pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas detected by screening in patients with SDHD-associated head-and-neck paragangliomas

Patients with SDHD-associated head-and-neck paragangliomas (HNP) are at risk for developing pheochromocytomas for which screening has been advised. To assess clinical, biochemical, and radiological outcomes of screening in a large single-center cohort of SDHD-positive patients with HNP and to address the necessity for repetitive follow-up, we evaluated 93 patients with SDHD-associated HNP (p.Asp92Tyr, p.Leu139Pro). Screening consisted of measurement of 24 h urinary excretion of catecholamines and/or their metabolites in duplicate, which was repeated with intervals of 2 years if initial biochemical screening was negative. In patients, in whom urinary excretion was above the reference limit, imaging studies with (123)I-MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine) scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) were performed. Pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas were treated surgically after appropriate blockade. Median follow-up was 4.5 years (range 0.5-19.5 years). Twenty-eight out of the 93 patients were included in our study and underwent additional imaging for pheochromocytomas/extra-adrenal paragangliomas. In 11 out of the 28 patients intra-adrenal pheochromocytomas were found. Extra-adrenal paragangliomas were discovered in eight patients. These tumors were detected during initial screening in 63% of cases, whereas 37% were detected after repeated biochemical screening. One patient was diagnosed with a biochemically silent pheochromocytoma. The high prevalence of pheochromocytomas/extra-adrenal paragangliomas in patients with SDHD-associated HNP warrants regular screening for tumors in these patients. Paragangliomas that do not secrete catecholamines might be more prevalent than previously reported. Future studies will have to establish whether routine imaging studies should be included in the screening of SDHD mutation carriers, irrespective of biochemical screening

Clinical osteoarthritis predicts physical and psychological QoL in acromegaly patients

Objective: Quality of life is decreased in patients with long-term control of acromegaly. In addition, these patients suffer from irreversible osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of joint-specific complaints, clinical and radiological signs of arthropathy on different aspects of quality of life (QoL) in patients with acromegaly after long-term disease control. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: We studied 58 patients (31 males), mean age 60 years (range 32-81 years), with strict biochemical control of acromegaly for a mean duration of 15 years. QoL was assessed by four health-related QoL questionnaires (HADS, MFI-20, NHP, SF-36) and one disease specific QoL questionnaire (AcroQoL). The outcomes of these questionnaires were compared with joint-specific self-reported complaints of pain/stiffness, clinical osteoarthritis based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and radiological osteoarthritis based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scoring method. Results: Long-term cured acromegaly patients had high pain scores of the spine, knee, and hip which limited physical functioning (mean difference -27.0, 95%-CI -9.5, -41.0) and psychological well-being (mean difference -44.4, 95%-CI -26.1, -60.9) (SF-36). Clinical osteoarthritis of the spine was associated mostly with impaired QoL scores, on physical, social, and emotional functioning, and on anxiety and depression. Remarkably, radiological osteoarthritis was not associated with impaired QoL. Conclusion: These findings accentuate the importance of recognition of the clinical manifestations of arthropathy in patients with acromegaly despite long-term disease control. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiological changes and therap

Patients Previously Treated for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenomas Have Disturbed Sleep Characteristics, Circadian Movement Rhythm, and Subjective Sleep Quality

Pathogenesis and treatment of chronic pulmonary disease

Obesity due to Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Linear Growth and Final Height, Fasting Hyperinsulinemia, and Incompletely Suppressed Growth Hormone Secretion

Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiological changes and therap