Autonomous cortisol secretion in patients with primary aldosteronism: prevalence and implications on cardiometabolic profile and on surgical outcomes

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and its implications on cardiometabolic and surgical outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter study of PA patients who underwent 1 mg dexamethasone-suppression test (DST) during diagnostic workup in 21 Spanish tertiary hospitals. ACS was defined as a cortisol post-DST >1.8 μg/dL (confirmed ACS if >5 μg/dL and possible ACS if 1.8–5 μg/dL) in the absence of spe cific clinical features of hypercortisolism. The cardiometabolic profile was compared with a control group with ACS without PA (ACS group) matched for age and DST levels. Results: The prevalence of ACS in the global cohort of patients with PA (n = 176) was 29% (ACS–PA; n = 51). Ten patients had confirmed ACS and 41 possible ACS. The cardiometabolic profile of ACS–PA and PA-only patients was simil ar, except for older age and larger tumor size of the adrenal lesion in the ACS–PA group. When comparing the ACS–PA group (n = 51) and the ACS group (n = 78), the prevalence of hypertension (OR 7.7 (2.64–22.32)) and cardiovascular events (OR 5.0 (2.29–11.07)) was higher in ACS–PA patients than in ACS patients. The coexistence of ACS in patien ts with PA did not affect the surgical outcomes, the proportion of biochemical cure and clinical cure being similar between ACS–PA and PA-only groups. Conclusion: Co-secretion of cortisol and aldosterone affects almost one-thi rd of patients with PA. Its occurrence is more frequent in patients with larger tumors and advanced age. However, the cardiometabolic and surgical outcomes of patients with ACS–PA and PA-only are similar

Alpelisib-induced Diabetes Mellitus: case report, pharmacodynamics and management considerations

Alpelisib is an orally selective PI3K alpha inhibitor recently available for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. PI3K pathway is an intracellular signaling pathway that plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism. Hyperglycemia is the most common adverse event associated. Methods: We describe the case of a severe hyperglycemia associated with alpelisib treatment in a patient with metastatic breast cancer and previously near-normal glycemia. We analyze the clinical presentation, PI3K inhibitor pharmacodynamic aspects, its influence in glycemic control and the required treatment approach. Results: An important impairment of glycemic control was observed after initiation of alpelisib. In addition to insulin sensitizers drugs, intensive insulin regimen was necessary. Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) information has been helpful in understanding the pharmacodynamic aspects of alpelisib and insulin titration. Development of hyperglycemia is fast, already observed 24 hours after initiation of therapy. FGM shows severe and persistent hyperglycemia during most of the day, with a significant downward effect in the 4 hours after each daily intake, which evidences the strong but transitory effect of the drug enzyme blockade. C-peptide level is remarkable in accordance with drug pharmacodynamics, consistent with a significant insulin resistance. Conclusions: Glucose monitoring should always be performed in patients treated with alpelisib, especially in patients with diabetes and prediabetes. It is crucial to anticipate in these patients. Any delay can lead to a worsening in metabolic control resulting in the discontinuation or reduction of alpelisib, which would lead to a decrease in its effectiveness, and consequently would deny patients an effective treatment with an impact on surviva

Thyrotoxicosis following SARS-COV-2 vaccination: a case series and discussion

Aim To describe a case series of thyrotoxicosis likely triggered by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and to warn physicians about this potential correlation. To report clinical, laboratory and imaging fndings and provide further information that goes in line with the underlying mechanisms. Methods Single-center case series based on all the information collected in the hospital medical records, as well as the temporal sequence between the onset of symptoms and COVID-19 vaccination. Results We report 8 cases with thyrotoxicosis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. 4 cases of Graves’ disease (GD), 2 cases of subacute painful thyroiditis (SAT), 1 case of concurrent GD and SAT and 1 case of atypical subacute thyroiditis. Five patients received BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, 3 patients 1273 mRNA vaccine. The onset of symptoms following vaccination ranged from 10 to 14 days in six of eight patients and from 7 to 8 weeks in two patients. Conclusions Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the potential correlation between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and thyrotoxicosis, including immune system hyper-stimulation, molecular mimicry and Autoimmune/Autoinfammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA). We should pay greater attention to thyroid disorders in patients receiving vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Differences in the presentation and evolution of primary aldosteronism in elderly (≥65 years) and young patients (<65 years).

To compare the presentation and evolution of primary aldosteronism (PA) in the elderly (≥65 years) and young patients ( A retrospective multicenter study was performed in 20 Spanish hospitals of PA patients in follow-up between 2018 and 2021. Three hundred fifty-two patients with PA Older patients with PA have a worse cardiometabolic profile than young patients with PA that it is related to a longer duration of hypertension. However, the results of the AVS, and adrenalectomy are similar in both groups. Therefore, the management of elderly patients with PA should be based not only on age, but rather on the overall medical, physical, social, and mental characteristics of the patients