Acromegaly management in the Nordic countries: A Delphi consensus survey.

OBJECTIVE: Acromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality if left untreated. The therapeutic options include surgery, medical treatment, and radiotherapy. Several guidelines and recommendations on treatment algorithms and follow-up exist. However, not all recommendations are strictly evidence-based. To evaluate consensus on the treatment and follow-up of patients with acromegaly in the Nordic countries. METHODS: A Delphi process was used to map the landscape of acromegaly management in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. An expert panel developed 37 statements on the treatment and follow-up of patients with acromegaly. Dedicated endocrinologists (n = 47) from the Nordic countries were invited to rate their extent of agreement with the statements, using a Likert-type scale (1-7). Consensus was defined as ≥80% of panelists rating their agreement as ≥5 or ≤3 on the Likert-type scale. RESULTS: Consensus was reached in 41% (15/37) of the statements. Panelists agreed that pituitary surgery remains first line treatment. There was general agreement to recommend first-generation somatostatin analog (SSA) treatment after failed surgery and to consider repeat surgery. In addition, there was agreement to recommend combination therapy with first-generation SSA and pegvisomant as second- or third-line treatment. In more than 50% of the statements, consensus was not achieved. Considerable disagreement existed regarding pegvisomant monotherapy, and treatment with pasireotide and dopamine agonists. CONCLUSION: This consensus exploration study on the management of patients with acromegaly in the Nordic countries revealed a relatively large degree of disagreement among experts, which mirrors the complexity of the disease and the shortage of evidence-based data.

Clinical practice guidelines for the care of girls and women with Turner syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) affects 50 per 100 000 females. TS affects multiple organs through all stages of life, necessitating multidisciplinary care. This guideline extends previous ones and includes important new advances, within diagnostics and genetics, estrogen treatment, fertility, co-morbidities, and neurocognition and neuropsychology. Exploratory meetings were held in 2021 in Europe and United States culminating with a consensus meeting in Aarhus, Denmark in June 2023. Prior to this, eight groups addressed important areas in TS care: (1) diagnosis and genetics, (2) growth, (3) puberty and estrogen treatment, (4) cardiovascular health, (5) transition, (6) fertility assessment, monitoring, and counselling, (7) health surveillance for comorbidities throughout the lifespan, and (8) neurocognition and its implications for mental health and well-being. Each group produced proposals for the present guidelines, which were meticulously discussed by the entire group. Four pertinent questions were submitted for formal GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evaluation with systematic review of the literature. The guidelines project was initiated by the European Society for Endocrinology and the Pediatric Endocrine Society, in collaboration with members from the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions, the Society for Endocrinology, and the European Society of Cardiology, Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, Australia and New Zealand Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Latin American Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, Arab Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and the Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society. Advocacy groups appointed representatives for pre-meeting discussions and the consensus meeting.

Incidence, Treatment, and Survival of Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Denmark 2003-2019.

Objectives: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor originating from the adrenal cortex. The aim of the study was to report the incidence of ACC and survival of ACC in Denmark. The secondary objective was to describe the impact of treatment with mitotane on survival. Design: Retrospective population study of patients diagnosed with ACC between 2003 and 2019 in Denmark. Methods: Individuals at risk for ACC were identified in the national Danish Health registries, and diagnosis of ACC was confirmed by review of the health records. Data on demographics, presentation, treatment, recurrence, and death was evaluated. Results: 138 patients were included in the study with more females (59.4%) than males (40.6%). Incidence rate was 1.4 per million per year. The incidence rate ratio significantly increased only in females by 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.12] per year. Overall median survival was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.24-3.00) years with no differences between males and females. The proportion of patients treated with mitotane (either as adjuvant treatment or as part of a chemotherapeutic regime) was 72.3%. Survival was significantly decreased in women not treated with mitotane compared to women treated with mitotane (either as adjuvant or as part of a chemotherapeutic regime) hazards ratio .30 (95% CI: .10-.89), adjusted for European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours score, age at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis, but survival was unaffected by mitotane treatment in men. Conclusion: Incidence of ACC in Denmark was 1.4 per million per year and increased in women but not in males during the study period 2003-2019.

Incidence, prevalence, age at diagnosis, and mortality in individuals with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism: A population-based registry study.

PURPOSE: To assess the population-based incidence, prevalence, and age at diagnosis of individuals with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism (and associated variants) and describe the associated mortality pattern. In addition, a systematic literature review of papers providing prevalence data of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism was performed. METHODS: A population-based epidemiological study of all individuals diagnosed with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism between 1960 and 2019. Mortality was analyzed using data from the Danish Causes of Death Register. One-hundred randomly age- and sex-matched general population controls per case were identified for comparison. RESULTS: One-hundred-thirty-seven males and 46 females with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism were identified. The apparent prevalence was 5.6 per 100,000 liveborn males and 2.1 per 100,000 liveborn females. The incidence of males with 45,X/46,XY increased during the study (P > .0001) but was stable for females (P = .4). Males were significantly older than females when diagnosed (median age = 29.1, interquartile range: 3.4-41.3) years versus 13.3 (interquartile range: 2.1-19.1) years, P = .002). All-cause mortality was doubled in males with 45,X/46,XY (Hazard Ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.3) and quadrupled in females (Hazard Ratio = 4.0, confidence interval: 2.0-7.9). CONCLUSION: The apparent population-based prevalence of males and females with 45,X/46,XY is 5.6 and 2.1 per 100,000 liveborn males and females, respectively. Diagnosis of males with 45,X/46,XY males is increasing. 45,X/46,XY mosaicism is associated with an increased all-cause mortality.

[18F]FDOPA PET/CT is superior to [68Ga]DOTATOC PET/CT in diagnostic imaging of pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Both [18F]FDOPA (FDOPA) and [68Ga]DOTATOC PET/CT (DOTATOC) are widely used for detection of pheochromocytomas/paraganglioma (PPGL). However, direct comparisons of the performance of the two tracers are only available in small series. We conducted a retrospective comparative analysis of FDOPA and DOTATOC to assess their sensitivity and accuracy in detecting PPGL when administered based on suspicion of PPGL. We consecutively included patients referred on suspicion of PPGL or PPGL recurrence who were scanned with both FDOPA and DOTATOC. Both scans were reviewed retrospectively by two experienced observers, who were blinded to the final diagnosis. The assessment was made both visually and quantitatively. The final diagnosis was primarily based on pathology. RESULTS: In total, 113 patients were included (97 suspected of primary PPGL and 16 suspected of recurrence). Of the 97 patients, 51 had pheochromocytomas (PCC) (in total 55 lesions) and 6 had paragangliomas (PGL) (in total 7 lesions). FDOPA detected and correctly localized all 55 PCC, while DOTATOC only detected 25 (sensitivity 100% vs. 49%, p < 0.0001; specificity 95% vs. 98%, p = 1.00). The negative predictive value (100% vs. 63%, p < 0.001) and diagnostic accuracy (98% vs. 70%, p < 0.01) were higher for FDOPA compared to DOTATOC. FDOPA identified 6 of 6 patients with hormone producing PGL, of which one was negative on DOTATOC. Diagnostic performances of FDOPA and DOTATOC were similar in the 16 patients with previous PPGL suspected of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: FDOPA is superior to DOTATOC for localization of PCC. In contrast to DOTATOC, FDOPA also identified all PGL but with a limited number of patient cases.

Endocrine morbidity in neurofibromatosis 1: a nationwide, register-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have found that neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is associated with an increased risk for endocrine disorders, but no comprehensive overview of the risk for specific endocrine disorders has been published. We assessed endocrine morbidity in individuals with NF1 from information on hospital admissions, surgery for endocrine disorders, and relevant medication. DESIGN: A nationwide population registry-based cohort study. METHODS: We identified 2467 individuals with NF1 diagnosed between 1977 and 2013 from the Danish National Patient Register and the RAREDIS database and 20 132 randomly sampled age- and sex-matched population comparisons. Information on endocrine diseases was identified using registrations of discharge diagnoses, surgery, and medication prescriptions. The rates of endocrine disorders in individuals with NF1 were compared with those in the comparison cohort in Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Individuals with NF1 had a higher rate than the comparison group of any endocrine discharge diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58-1.87), endocrine-related surgery (2.03, 1.39-2.96), and prescribed medications (1.32, 1.23-1.42). Increased HRs were observed for diseases and surgical operations of several glands, including pheochromocytoma, and for osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fractures. Decreased rates were observed with drugs for type 2 diabetes. Women with NF1 had higher HRs for surgery of the ovaries, uterus, and sterilization, but lower rates of surgeries of cervix and prescriptions for birth control pills. CONCLUSIONS: Neurofibromatosis 1 is associated with a variety of endocrine disorders, surgery, and medication related to endocrine disease. Awareness of endocrine morbidity is important in the clinical follow-up of individuals with NF1.

Morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomics in Klinefelter syndrome and 47,XYY syndrome: a comparative review.

Context: Klinefelter syndrome (KS, 47,XXY) and 47,XYY syndrome are genetic conditions characterized by a supernumerary sex chromosome. The conditions share many traits, but considerable phenotypic differences are seen between the two. Focusing on morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomics, this review highlights similarities and differences. Methods: Relevant literature was identified through PubMed with the following search terms; 'Klinefelter', '47,XXY', '47,XYY', and 'Jacobs syndrome'. Included journal articles were chosen at the authors' discretion. Results: KS and 47,XYY are the most common sex chromosome disorders in males, with an expected prevalence of 152 and 98 per 100,000 newborn males, respectively. Non-diagnosis is extensive, as only about 38% of KS and 18% of 47,XYY are diagnosed. Both conditions are associated with an increased mortality risk and increased risk of a variety of diseases and other health-related problems affecting virtually every organ system. Early diagnosis seems to predict a lesser comorbidity burden. Neurocognitive deficits as well as social and behavioral problems are commonly described. Both syndromes are associated with poor socioeconomicfor example, lower income and educational level and higher rates of crime. Infertility is a hallmark of KS, but fertility seems also reduced in 47,XYY. Conclusion: Being born as a boy with an extra X or Y chromosome is associated with increased mortality and excess morbidity, partially expressed in a sex chromosome-specific pattern.Both syndromes continue to be greatly underdiagnosed, even thoughearly intervention may improve the overall outcome. Earlier diagnosis to initiate timely counseling and treatment should be emphasized.

The TGFß system and TIMP1 and 3 genotypes in Turner syndrome-Relation with aortic congenital malformations.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular complications and congenital malformations are known traits in Turner syndrome (TS), which increases mortality. Women with TS have varying phenotype and cardiovascular risks. A biomarker assessing the risk for cardiovascular complications could potentially reduce mortality in high-risk TS and reduce screening in TS participants with low cardiovascular risk. DESIGN, PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: As part of a study initiated in 2002, 87 TS participants and 64 controls were invited to magnetic resonance imaging of the aorta, anthropometry, and biochemical markers. TS participants were re-examined thrice lastly in 2016. The focus of this paper is the additional measurements of transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP's), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP), peripheral blood DNA and their associations with TS and the cardiovascular risk and congenital heart disease. RESULTS: TS participants had lower TGFß1 and TGFß2 values compared to controls. snp11547635 heterozygosity was not associated with any biomarkers but was associated with increased risk of aortic regurgitation. TIMP4 and TGFß1 were correlated with the aortic diameter at several measuring positions. During follow-up, the antihypertensive treatment decreased the descending aortic diameter and increased TGFß1 and TGFß2 levels in TS. CONCLUSION: TGFß and TIMP's are altered in TS and may play a role in the development of coarctation and dilated aorta. snp11547635 heterozygosity was not found to impact biochemical markers. Further studies should investigate these biomarkers to further unravel the pathogenesis of the increased cardiovascular risk in TS participants.

Ocular morbidity in Marfan syndrome: a nationwide epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Ophthalmic complications are profound in Marfan syndrome (MFS). However, the overall burden is not well described. Our purpose was to evaluate the ocular morbidity in a nationwide perspective. METHODS: We identified the ocular morbidity in patients with MFS (n=407) by use of Danish national healthcare registers, using number and timing of hospital contacts related to ophthalmic diagnoses, to ophthalmic surgery and to prescriptions for ophthalmic medication. An age-matched and gender-matched background population (n=40 700) was used as comparator. RESULTS: Among MFS, 56% (226/407) of the patients had at least one registration of an ophthalmic diagnosis as inpatient or outpatient during the study period (HR of 8.0 (95% CI 7.0 to 9.2)). Seven out of 11 main groups of diagnoses were affected, including 'Lens', 'Choroid and retina', 'Ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction', 'Glaucoma', Visual disturbances and blindness', 'Vitreous body and globe', and 'Sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body'. The number of surgical procedures as well as the use of ophthalmic medication in patients with MFS was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: This nationwide epidemiological study of ocular morbidity in MFS demonstrates a profound burden and emphasises the need for thorough and experienced ophthalmological surveillance.

Increased morbidity evaluated on hospital contacts and prescriptions among 100,834 Danish breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease competes with breast cancer (BC) as the leading cause of death for females diagnosed with breast cancer. Not much is known concerning morbidity and medicine use in the short and long term after a BC diagnosis. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine acute and long-term morbidity in Danish women treated for BC. METHOD: A nationwide registry-based cohort study of 100,834 BC patients identified in the clinical database of Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) and 1,100,320 (10 per patient) age-matched Danish women without BC, serving as controls. Morbidity was studied using complete data on hospital contacts and medicinal use. RESULTS: The risk of hospital contacts was significantly increased in BC survivors compared with controls evaluated both by means of Cox regression and negative binomial regression analysis both during and after cessation of breast cancer treatment. Young age at breast cancer diagnosis was associated with the most pronounced increase in risk of hospital contacts, both during and after cessation of BC treatment. Medicinal use was significantly increased among BC patients compared to controls, both during (HR 1.27 (1.26-1.28), p < 0.0001) and after BC treatment (HR 1.18 (1.17-1.19), p < 0.0001, and present for all subgroups of medicine. CONCLUSION: Overall, BC survivors have a pronounced increase in hospital contacts and medicinal use compared to women without BC. Premenopausal status at BC diagnosis was associated with an overall higher excess morbidity and a higher burden both during and after treatment.

von Hippel-Lindau disease: Updated guideline for diagnosis and surveillance.

von Hippel Lindau disease (vHL) is caused by a hereditary predisposition to multiple neoplasms, especially hemangioblastomas in the retina and CNS, renal cell carcinomas (RCC), pheochromocytomas, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumours (PNET) and endolymphatic sac tumours. Evidence based approaches are needed to ensure an optimal clinical care, while minimizing the burden for the patients and their families. This guideline is based on evidence from the international vHL literature and extensive research of geno- and phenotypic characteristics, disease progression and surveillance effect in the national Danish vHL cohort. We included the views and preferences of the Danish vHL patients, ensured consensus among Danish experts and compared with international recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: vHL can be diagnosed on clinical criteria, only; however, in most cases the diagnosis can be supported by identification of a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in VHL. Surveillance should be initiated in childhood in persons with, or at risk of, vHL, and include regular examination of the retina, CNS, inner ear, kidneys, neuroendocrine glands, and pancreas. Treatment of vHL manifestations should be planned to optimize the chance of cure, without unnecessary sequelae. Most manifestations are currently treated by surgery. However, belzutifan, that targets HIF-2α was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adult patients with vHL-associated RCC, CNS hemangioblastomas, or PNETs, not requiring immediate surgery. Diagnostics, surveillance, and treatment of vHL can be undertaken successfully by experts collaborating in multidisciplinary teams. Systematic registration, collaboration with patient organisations, and research are fundamental for the continuous improvement of clinical care and optimization of outcome with minimal patient inconvenience.

Musculoskeletal diseases in Marfan syndrome: a nationwide registry study.

BACKGROUND: Marfan syndrome is associated with abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system including scoliosis, pectus deformities, protrusio acetabuli, and foot deformities. Over a life span, many patients with Marfan syndrome will need treatment; however, the musculoskeletal morbidity over a life span is not well described. The aim of the present study was to assess the overall burden of musculoskeletal disease in patients with Marfan syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A registry-based, nationwide epidemiological study of patients with a Ghent II verified Marfan syndrome diagnosis from 1977 to 2014. Each patient was matched on age, and sex with up to 100 controls from the background population. RESULTS: We identified 407 patients with Marfan syndrome and 40,700 controls and compared their musculoskeletal diagnoses and surgical treatments using Cox proportional hazards ratio (HR). The risk of a registration of a musculoskeletal diagnosis in patients with Marfan syndrome was significantly increased compared to controls (HR: 1.94 (1.69-2.24). One out of six with Marfan syndrome was registered with scoliosis (HR: 36.7 (27.5-48.9). Scoliosis was more common in women with Marfan syndrome compared to men (HR: 4.30 (1.73-1.08)). One out of 11 were registered with a pectus deformity HR: 40.8 (28.1-59.3), and one out of six with a deformity of the foot. Primarily pes planus (HR: 26.0 (15.2-44.3). The proportion of patients with Marfan syndrome (94/407) that underwent musculoskeletal surgery was also significantly higher (HR: 1.76 (1.43-2.16)). The major areas of surgery were the spine, pectups correction, and surgery of the foot/ankle. Ten patients with Marfan syndrome had elective orthopedic surgery without being recognized and diagnosed with Marfan syndrome until later in life. None of these had scoliosis, pectus deformity or a foot deformity. Among patients with an aortic dissection, the age at dissection was 34.3 years in those with at least one major musculoskeletal abnormality. In patients without a major abnormality the age at dissection was 45.1 years (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of musculoskeletal disease is quite significant in Marfan syndrome, and many will need corrective surgery during their life span. Surgeons should be aware of undiagnosed patients with Marfan syndrome when treating patients with a Marfan syndrome like-phenotype.

The Socioeconomic Consequences of Cushing's Syndrome: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: The long-term somatic and psychiatric consequences of Cushing's syndrome are well-described, but the socioeconomic consequences are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We studied employment status, educational level, risk of depression, and other socioeconomic outcomes of Cushing's syndrome in the years before diagnosis and after surgery. DESIGN: Nationwide register-based cohort study. METHODS: We used a validated algorithm to identify 424 patients operated for adrenal (n = 199) or pituitary Cushing's syndrome (n = 225) in Denmark from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2017. We obtained socioeconomic registry data from 10 years before diagnosis (year -10) to 10 years after surgery (year +10) and included a sex- and age-matched reference population. We identified prognostic factors for returning to work using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: Compared to the reference population, the patients' employment was permanently reduced from year -6 [relative risk (RR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-0.99] to year +10 (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.57-0.76). Sick leave (RR 2.15, 95% CI 1.40-3.32) and disability pension (RR 2.60, 95% CI 2.06-3.27) were still elevated in year +10. Annual income, education, parenthood, relationship status, and risk of depression were also negatively impacted, but parenthood and relationship status normalized after surgery. Among patients, negative predictors of full-time employment after surgery included female sex, low education, comorbidity, and depression. CONCLUSION: Cushing's syndrome negatively affects a wide spectrum of socioeconomic variables many years before diagnosis of which only some normalize after treatment. The data underpin the importance of early diagnosis and continuous follow-up of Cushing's syndrome and, not least, the pervasive health threats of glucocorticoid excess.

Disorders of the eye, ear, skin, and nervous system in women with Turner syndrome -a nationwide cohort study.

The literature about eye, ear, nose, skin, and nervous system disorders in women with Turner syndrome is equivocal. Impaired vision and hearing in women with Turner syndrome have been described, and case reports of Turner syndrome girls suffering from epilepsy have been published, but no large population-based-studies have explored the occurrence of any of these disorders. We aimed to investigate the risk of admission with disorders related to the eye, ear, nose, skin, and nervous system, compared with background females, and the impact of hormone replacement therapy on these conditions. 1,156 females with TS diagnosed during 1960-2014 were identified using the Danish Cytogenetic Central Registry and linked with personal-level data from the National Patient Registry and the Medication Statistics Registry. Statistics Denmark randomly identified 115,577 age-matched background females. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze hospital discharge diagnoses, reporting incidence rate ratios (IRR). Women with Turner syndrome have an increased risk of developing eye disorders (IRR 4.3 (95% CI 3.5-5.4), including cataract, glaucoma, ocular movement, and accommodation. The risk of ear disorders (IRR 35.0 (27.9-43.9)) and nose (IRR 2.2 (1.4-3.6)) was increased in women with Turner syndrome, due to otitis media, cholesteatoma, and hearing loss. Disorders of the nervous system such as epilepsy were increased IRR 6.2 (2.4-15.9), along with skin conditions IRR 2.2 (95%CI 1.7-2.7) like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and ingrown nails.

The comorbidity landscape of 47,XXX syndrome: A nationwide epidemiologic study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the comorbidity pattern in 47,XXX syndrome. METHODS: This was a registry-based study of hospital diagnoses and prescribed medication in a nationwide cohort of females with 47,XXX (n = 103) and 46,XX/47,XXX (n = 57) in which they were compared with 16,000 age-matched general population female controls. RESULTS: The overall occurrence of hospital diagnoses was significantly increased in females with 47,XXX when compared with controls (incidence rate ratio = 2.1, CI = 1.7-2.5), and when divided into 19 organ-specific groups, there was a significantly increased risk in the following 14 groups: infection, blood, endocrine and metabolism, mental, nervous system, eye, ear, respiratory, oral cavity and gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, perinatal, congenital malformations, external factors, and "other." The risk of being prescribed any medication was not significantly increased in females with 47,XXX when compared with controls (hazard ratio = 1.2, CI = 0.9-1.4). However, when stratified according to medication groups, a significantly increased risk was detected in 4 of 13 groups. The overall occurrence of hospital diagnoses was also significantly increased when females with 46,XX/47,XXX were compared with controls (incidence risk ratio = 1.3, CI = 1.01-1.8), but generally, in comparison with controls, females with 46,XX/47,XXX were less severely affected than females with 47,XXX. CONCLUSION: The 47,XXX syndrome is associated with an increased occurrence of a wide variety of diseases. Increased awareness of this may contribute to improve counseling and clinical assessment of these patients.

Non-aortic cardiovascular disease in Marfan syndrome: a nationwide epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVES: Studies indicate that other cardiovascular problems than aortic disease are a burden for patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). The aim of the study was to assess the extent of this issue. METHODS: A registry-based population study of patients with a Ghent II verified MFS diagnosis. Each patient was matched with up to 100 controls on age and sex. From the Danish healthcare system, we identified 407 MFS patients (from 1977 to 2014) and their cardiovascular events and compared them with those in 40,700 controls. Total follow-up time was 16,439 person years. RESULTS: Mitral valve disease was significantly more common in MFS [HR: 58.9 (CI 38.1-91.1)] and happened earlier and more often in women than men with MFS [age at first registration: 22 vs. 38 years, HR: 2.1 (CI 1.0-4.4)]. Heart failure/cardiomyopathy was also more common in MFS [HR: 8.7 (CI 5.7-13.4)] and men were more affected than women, and at younger age [39 vs. 64 years, HR: 0.18 (CI 0.06-0.55)]. In all cases, atrioventricular block [HR: 4.9 (1.5-15.6)] was related to heart surgery. Supraventricular [HR: 9.7 (CI 7.5-12.7)] and ventricular tachycardia [HR: 7.7 (CI 4.2-14.3)] also occurred more often than in the control group. The risk of sudden cardiac death was increased [HR: 8.3 (CI 3.8-18.0)] but the etiology was unclear due to lack of autopsies. CONCLUSION: Non-aortic cardiovascular disease in patients with MFS is exceptionally prevalent and the range of diseases varies between women and men. Physicians caring for MFS patients must be aware of this large spectrum of cardiovascular diseases.

Increased occurrence of liver and gastrointestinal diseases and anaemia in women with Turner syndrome - a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Liver and gastrointestinal diseases are frequent in women with Turner syndrome. However, their association with bleeding disorders, anaemia and the impact of hormone replacement therapy is unknown. AIMS: To investigate the risk of liver and gastrointestinal diseases, haemorrhage and anaemia in women with Turner syndrome compared with the female background population, and the long-term impact of hormone replacement therapy on these conditions. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and fifty-six women with Turner syndrome diagnosed during 1960-2014 were identified using the Danish Cytogenetic Central Registry and linked with personal-level data from the National Patient Registry and the Medication Statistics Registry. Statistics Denmark randomly identified 115 577 age-matched female controls. Negative binomial regression was used to analyse hospital discharge diagnoses. Medical prescriptions, mortality and the effect of hormone replacement therapy were estimated using stratified Cox regression. RESULTS: Liver disease increased 13-fold (IRR 12.9 (95% CI 5.8-28.8)), due to toxic liver disease (IRR 8.0 (95% CI 1.8-35.4)), liver insufficiency (IRR 6.7 (95% CI 1.7-26.9)), fibrosis/cirrhosis (IRR 16.5 (95% CI 2.2-122.1)) and unspecified liver disease (IRR 10.6 (95% CI 4.4-25.3)). Furthermore, presence of abnormal liver enzymes increased 12-fold (IRR 12.4 (95% CI 4.2-36.6)). The risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage (IRR 3.4 (95% CI 1.8-6.2)), anaemia (IRR 3.2 (95% CI 2.0-5.0)) and coagulation disorders (IRR 2.9 (95% CI 1.1-7.1)) was increased. However these diagnoses were not associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Gastrointestinal mortality was increased three-fold (HR 3.1 (95% CI 1.5-6.2)), partly due to death by liver disease (HR 3.0 (95% CI 1.1-8.2)), gastrointestinal haemorrhage (HR 29.6 (95% CI 3.1-285.1)) and capillary malformations (HR 18.6 (95% CI 4.1-85.0)). There was no effect of hormone replacement therapy on gastrointestinal risk but a trend towards a beneficial impact on liver diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of being diagnosed with liver disease was higher than previously reported. The occurrence of gastrointestinal haemorrhage and anaemia was increased in Turner syndrome. There was no effect of hormone replacement therapy on gastrointestinal risk but a trend towards a beneficial impact on liver diseases was detected.

Fracture Rates and Fracture Risk in Patients With Marfan Syndrome: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study.

Marfan syndrome (MFS), a rare genetic disease, has a prevalence of 6.5 in 100,000. Studies show that patients with MFS have reduced areal bone mineral density (BMD) compared with non-MFS individuals. We have previously shown that patients with MFS have reduced volumetric BMD and compromised trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture. The present study was a registry-based, nationwide, population-based, cohort study using register data, aimed to evaluate fracture risk and fracture rates in MFS. We included 406 (196 women) patients with MFS through the Danish National Patient Register and 40,724 (19,327 women) persons, randomly selected and matched from the Civil Registry System. A total of 21.9% of the MFS and 18.9% of the reference population had experienced at least one fracture from 1995 to 2018. The fracture incidence rate was 27.5 per 1000 person-years in the MFS cohort (highest in young men and old women with MFS), and 20.3 per 1000 person-years in the reference population. The overall incidence rate ratio between the MFS and the reference population was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI ] 1.18-1.55) for all fractures. When evaluating the risk of being registered with an osteoporosis diagnosis in the Danish National Patient Register, starting relevant treatment for osteoporosis or experiencing a hip or spine fracture, 10.3% of the MFS cohort and 3.3% of the reference population could be classified as being osteoporotic. The between-group subhazard ratio was 3.97 (95% CI 2.56-6.25). Patients with MFS started treatment with an antiosteoporotic drug at a younger age than the reference population (57 [interquartile range 55-67] versus 71 [63-73]) years. The life expectancy in MFS is increasing, resulting in more patients facing diseases that are related to old age, such as age-related bone loss and increased risk of fractures. Our data suggest that bone health and fracture prevention needs to be part of the standard care for patients with MFS. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Maternal health and pregnancy outcome in diagnosed and undiagnosed Marfan syndrome: A registry-based study.

In Marfan syndrome (MFS), pregnancy is considered as high risk due to the deficiency of fibrillin in the connective tissue and increased risk of aortic dissection. The objective was to demonstrate the consequences on maternal health, in women with diagnosed and undiagnosed MFS at the time of pregnancy and childbirth. By using national health care registries, we identified all pregnancy related outcomes, from women with MFS (n = 183) and an age-matched background population (n = 18,300). We found 91 pregnancies during follow-up. Significantly fewer women with MFS gave birth, compared to the background population. No women with known MFS had a pregnancy related aortic dissection but complications related to the cervix were increased (HR:19.8 [95% CI:2.2-177.5]). Fifty women with MFS were undiagnosed at the time of their first pregnancy and/or childbirth. Among these, there were more birth canal related complications HR:27.2 (95% CI: 2.3-315.0), preeclampsia (HR:2.25 [95% CI: 1.11-4.60]), fetal deaths (HR:12.3 [95% CI: 1.51-99.8]), and all delivery-related dissections came from this subgroup. In conclusion, undiagnosed women with MFS experienced more pregnancy and childbirth related complications including fetal death, birth canal issues, preeclampsia, and aortic disease, which emphasizes the need for an early MFS diagnosis and special care during pregnancy and childbirth.

Incidence and Clinical Presentation of Pheochromocytoma and Sympathetic Paraganglioma: A Population-based Study.

CONTEXT: Pheochromocytoma and sympathetic paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare catecholamine-secreting tumors but recent studies suggest increasing incidence. Traditionally, PPGL are described to present with paroxysmal symptoms and hypertension, but existing data on clinical presentation of PPGL come from referral centers. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe time trends in clinical presentation and incidence of PPGL in a population-based study. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of a previously validated cohort of 567 patients diagnosed with PPGL in Denmark 1977-2015. We collected clinical data from medical records of a geographic subcohort of 192 patients. We calculated age-standardized incidence rates (SIRs) and prevalence for the nationwide cohort and descriptive statistics on presentation for the subset with clinical data. RESULTS: SIRs increased from 1.4 (95% CI 0.2-2.5) per million person-years in 1977 to 6.6 (95% CI 4.4-8.7) per million person-years in 2015, corresponding to a 4.8-fold increase. The increase was mainly due to incidentally found tumors that were less than 4 cm and diagnosed in patients older than 50 years with no or limited paroxysmal symptoms of catecholamine excess. On December 31, 2015, prevalence of PPGL was 64.4 (CI 95% 57.7-71.2) per million inhabitants. Of 192 patients with clinical data, 171 (89.1%) had unilateral pheochromocytoma, while unilateral paraganglioma (n = 13, 6.8%) and multifocal PPGL (n = 8, 4.2%) were rare. CONCLUSION: Incidence of PPGL has increased 4.8-fold from 1977 to 2015 due to a "new" group of older patients presenting with smaller incidentally found PPGL tumors and few or no paroxysmal symptoms.