Behavioural side effects of inhaled corticosteroids among children and adolescents with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation corticosteroids (ICS) are prescribed for treatment of asthma in approximately 3% of all children in Denmark. Despite limited evidence, case reports suggest that ICS-related behavioural adverse drug events (ADEs) may be frequent. In general, underreporting of ADEs to official databases is common, and little is known about doctor's clinical experiences with behavioural ADEs when prescribing ICS for children with asthma. The objective was to investigate the extent of behavioural ADEs in children with asthma treated with ICS by comparing database findings to experiences of specialist doctors. METHODS: First, databases of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Danish Medicines Agency (DKMA) were searched for reports made by healthcare professionals about behavioural ADEs in children from 2009 to 2018. Second, questionnaire data on behavioural ADEs were collected from eight of the 11 specialist doctors responsible for treating children with asthma at the six paediatric departments in Central Denmark Region and North Denmark Region. RESULTS: EMA and DKMA had registered 104 and 3 reports, respectively, on behavioural ADEs during the 10-year study period. In contrast, five of the eight specialist doctors (45.5%) had experienced patients who had developed behavioural changes during ICS treatment. However, none of the five specialist doctors had filed reports on these events to DKMA. CONCLUSION: Behaviour-related ADEs to ICS in children with asthma are likely to be highly underreported in official databases and doctors treating children with ICS should be aware of potential ADEs and consider submitting ADE reports whenever appropriate.

Blood pressure, sympathovagal tone, exercise capacity and metabolic status are linked in Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We studied cardiac autonomic changes in relation to metabolic factors, body composition and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements in Turner syndrome patients without known hypertension. DESIGN: Cross sectional. PATIENTS: Participants were 48 TS women and 24 healthy female controls aged over 18 years. METHODS: Short-term power spectral analysis was obtained in supine-standing-supine position. Bedside tests included three conventional cardiovascular reflex tests of heart rate response to standing up, heart rate response to deep breathing and blood pressure response to standing up. Mean heart rate during the last 2 minutes of work was used to calculate the maximal aerobic power (VO2max ). RESULTS: We found a significantly higher mean reciprocal of the heart rate per second (RR) in TS. Testing for interaction between position and status (TS or control), there were highly significant differences between TS and controls in high-frequency (HF) power, the coefficient of component variation (square root of HF power/mean RR) and low-frequency (LF): HF ratio, with a dampened decline in vagal activity among TS during standing. Bedside test showed TS had a significantly higher diastolic BP in the supine position compared to controls, and the adaptive rise in BP, when changing to upright position was reduced. VO2max and self-reported level of physical activity were significantly correlated to systolic ambulatory blood pressure both 24-hour and night diastolic ambulatory blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Vagal tone and modulation of the sympathovagal balance during alteration in body position are impaired in TS. These changes can be risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Low myocardial glucose uptake in Turner syndrome is unaffected by growth hormone: a randomized, placebo-controlled FDG-PET study.

BACKGROUND: An unfavourable cardiovascular and metabolic phenotype causes threefold excess mortality in Turner syndrome (TS), and perturbed cardiac substrate metabolism is increasingly recognized as a common component of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We therefore hypothesized that myocardial glucose uptake (MGU) is reduced in TS and that growth hormone (GH) treatment improves MGU. To this end, this controlled trial elucidates MGU in TS and the impact of 6 months of growth hormone treatment on MGU. METHODS AND RESULTS: Women with TS (n = 9) were examined at baseline, sequentially treated with either Norditropin(®) SimpleXx or placebo and re-examined after 6 months. MGU and myocardial blood flow (MBF) were measured using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) during a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (at baseline and 6 months). Blood pressure measurement, blood sampling, echocardiography and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan were also performed. Age-matched female controls (n = 9) were examined once. Baseline MGU was reduced in TS (0.24 ± 0.08 vs. 0.36 ± 0.13 µmol/g/min in controls; P = 0.036) despite similar insulin sensitivity (whole body glucose uptake (M-value): 9.69 ± 1.86 vs. 9.86 ± 2.58 mg/(min*kg) in controls; P = 0.9). Six months of GH carried no impact on MGU (0.25 ± 0.08 vs. 0.26 ± 0.12 µmol/g/min in the placebo group; P = 0.8). Plasma glucose, low-density cholesterol and triglycerides increased, while M-value and exercise capacity decreased during 6 months of GH treatment. CONCLUSION: MGU is reduced in TS despite normal insulin sensitivity. GH treatment does not alter MGU despite decreased whole body insulin sensitivity. A perturbed cardiac glucose uptake appears to be a feature of TS.

Basophil FceRI expression-A management tool in anti-IgE treatment of allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Immune-based therapy targeting immunoglobulin E (IgE), anti-IgE treatment, has emerged as an adjunct treatment for children with severe allergic asthma. After start of anti-IgE treatment, an effect of the treatment cannot be monitored by Total-IgE, because current methods measure both bound and free IgE molecules. Basophil activation test may be very useful for monitoring anti-IgE treatment efficacy. The objective of this paper is to evaluate if basophil activation test is applicable in regulating the anti-IgE treatment. METHODS: A case series of 20 children with IgE-mediated severe allergic asthma were treated according to guidelines with anti-IgE (Omalizumab). Blood samples were drawn for total IgE, specific IgE, number of IgE receptors (FcεRI) and basophil sensitivity were measured at baseline before anti-IgE treatment and 4 months after initiation of anti-IgE treatment. RESULTS: A total of 19 out of 20 children had statistically significant and clinically relevant effects of anti-IgE treatment on symptom score, lung function and medication. All 20 children had a significant reduction in basophil allergen sensitivity and the number of IgE receptors (FcεRI) on blood basophils. Anti-IgE treatment was found to be well controlled by measuring basophil allergen sensitivity and FceRI density on blood basophils. CONCLUSION: This cohort study demonstrates a promising method, measuring basophil allergen sensitivity and in particular blood basophil FceRI density, concerning the monitoring of anti-IgE treatment in different clinical situations. There are no randomized controlled trials evaluating this method in clinical settings.

Exchangeable serum copper: Adult and pediatric reference intervals and in vitro stability in a nordic cohort.

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by copper overload, primarily affecting the liver and brain, and the organ damage is believed to be caused by non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper (NCC). Accurate and early diagnosis is important for prognosis. Recently, a method for the measurement of NCC, exchangeable serum copper (CuEXC), was developed and shown to be a promising marker of WD, especially as the fraction of total copper, relative exchangeable copper (REC). This study aimed to validate the CuEXC extraction method and establish reference intervals for CuEXC and REC, as well as to examine short- and long-term stability of CuEXC in serum samples. The adult reference interval for CuEXC was 0.61-1.62 µmol/L and for REC 3.0-9.7 % based on 120 blood donors. Based on 88 children, the reference intervals for CuEXC was 0.45-1.16 µmol/L. The intervals for REC were 1.8-5.8 % for children <10 years and 2.3-8.5 % for children ≥10 years. Regarding stability, CuEXC increased following a logarithmic scale in uncentrifuged serum and exceeded the permissible difference of 10 % after 4 h. With long-term freezing at -20 °C, CuEXC was stable for 1.7 months. In conclusion, reference intervals for CuEXC and REC were established and confirmed to be substantially lower in children. Accurate reference intervals are important to ensure timely diagnosis of WD. Finally, our findings on stability have important implications and highlight the need for standardization of the pre-analytical handling of CuEXC samples in order to obtain comparable results within and between laboratories both for clinical and research use.

Carotid intima-media thickness is increased in Turner syndrome: multifactorial pathogenesis depending on age, blood pressure, cholesterol and oestrogen treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) may potentially supplement cardiovascular risk assessment in Turner syndrome (TS), where cardiovascular risk is high and appropriate risk stratification difficult. Knowledge of IMT in TS is scarce, and this study aimed to enhance insight into the cardiovascular risk marker. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: IMT was cross-sectionally assessed by ultrasonography of the common carotid artery (cIMT) and carotid bulb (bIMT) in TS (n = 69, age 40 ± 10 years) and age-matched, healthy female controls (n = 67). Additional prospective IMT assessment was performed in TS over 2·4 ± 0·3 years. Metabolic biomarkers and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were also assessed. RESULTS: cIMT and bIMT (body surface area indexed) were increased in TS (P < 0·05) with 17-18% having IMTs that exceeded the 95th percentile of the controls (P < 0·05). Blood pressure, heart rate, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased in TS, where 43% received antihypertensive treatment. cIMT decreased during follow-up, coinciding with intensified cardiovascular risk prophylaxis, whereas bIMT was unchanged. In multiple regression analyses (R = 0·52-0·69, P < 0·05), baseline IMT in TS increased with age, blood pressure and cholesterol as well as in the presence of diabetes whilst IMT was inversely associated with duration of oestrogen replacement. In an analogue analysis, the prospective changes in cIMT (R = 0·37, P < 0·05) were beneficially influenced by antihypertensive treatment and oestrogen therapy and adversely by the presence of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Carotid IMT was abnormal in TS and negatively influenced by age, metabolic biomarkers, blood pressure and short duration of oestrogen treatment. Attention to common cardiovascular and endocrine risk markers over more than 2 years appeared to influence IMT beneficially.

Coagulation and fibrinolytic disturbances are related to carotid intima thickness and arterial blood pressure in Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by growth retardation, hypogonadism and a high risk of cardiovascular complications and atherosclerosis; case reports suggest that thrombo-embolic complications may be present. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: Sixty women with TS. MEASUREMENTS: We characterized the activities of the haemostatic system, elucidated by the assessment of a panel of clotting factors and thrombosis risk factors and related these findings to carotid intima thickness (CIMT) and blood pressure. RESULTS: Most (81%) received hormone replacement therapy. The medians of all measured factors and inflammatory parameters were not different from normative data, but many cases displayed values of C-reactive protein (CRP) (40%), fibrinogen (15%), fibrin D-dimer (15%), factor VIII (25%), von Willebrand factor (vWF) (15%), cholesterol and liver parameters that were greater than normative limits. CRP, fibrinogen, vWF, factor VIII and liver parameters were highly and positively correlated. Haemostatic variables were positively related to both CIMT and blood pressure. The Factor V Leiden G1691A gene polymorphism heterozygosity was detected in 12·5%. CONCLUSION: We describe a significant proportion of individual TS females having high levels of vWF, factor VIII, fibrinogen and CRP (15-40%) and an increased frequency of the Leiden mutation, with important associations with CIMT and blood pressure, suggesting that a subset of TS may have an unfavourable haemostatic balance, which may contribute to the increased risk of premature ischaemic heart disease and possibly increase the risk of deep venous and portal vein thrombosis.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in Turner syndrome: a prospective echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk stratification in Turner syndrome (TS) is difficult. Increased left ventricular mass associates with an adverse prognosis in several settings, and this study aimed to elucidate this risk marker in relation to metabolic and cardiovascular status in TS. METHODS: An echocardiographic follow-up study (4.8 years) of 82 adult females with TS. Left ventricular mass was the primary outcome parameter. Metabolic status (glucose, Hemoglobin A1c, lipids), aortic valve function and morphology, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure were secondary outcome parameters. Healthy age-matched females served as baseline controls (n = 55). RESULTS: Left ventricular mass was increased in TS (TS vs. controls: 88 ± 21 g/m(2) vs. 77 ± 12 g/m(2), P < 0.05). More participants were treated for hypertension at follow-up (32% at baseline vs. 55% at follow-up). This coincided with a reduction of left ventricular mass in TS (84 ± 20 g/m(2) at follow up, P < 0.05) and favorable remodeling with a contrasting increase in left atrial size. In a baseline multiple regression model, left ventricular mass (r(2) = 0.28, P < 0.05) increased with body surface area, age and the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve. In another model, left ventricular mass increased with blood pressure, ongoing estrogen treatment and body surface area (r(2) = 0.26, P < 0.05). No single factor reached statistically significant levels for prediction of prospective left ventricular mass changes. CONCLUSION: The increased left ventricular mass in TS was associated with aortic valve disease, age, hypertension, physical stature and metabolic status. During follow-up left ventricular mass was only slightly reduced along with blood pressure, whereas the diastolic dysfunction did not seem to improve.

Clinical care of adult Turner syndrome--new aspects.

Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by numerous medical challenges during adolescence and adulthood. Puberty has to be induced in most cases, and female sex hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should continue during adult years. These issues are normally dealt with by the paediatrician, but once a TS female enters adulthood it is less clear who should be the primary care giver. Morbidity and mortality is increased, especially due to the risk of dissection of the aorta and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and other diseases. The proper dose of HRT with female sex steroids has not been established, and, likewise, benefits and/or drawbacks from HRT have not been thoroughly evaluated. The transition period from paediatric to adult care seems to be especially vulnerable and the proper framework for transition has not yet been established. Likewise, no framework is in place for continuous follow-up during adult years in many countries. Today, most treatment recommendations are based on expert opinion and are unfortunately not evidence based, although more areas, such as growth hormone and oxandrolone treatment for increasing height, are becoming well founded. Osteoporosis, diabetes, both type 1 and 2, hypothyroidism, obesity and a host of other endocrine diseases and conditions are seen more frequently in TS. Prevention, intervention and proper treatment is only just being recognized. Hypertension is frequent and can be a forerunner of cardiovascular disease. The description of adult life with TS has been broadened and medical, social and psychological aspects are being added at a compelling pace. Proper care during adulthood should be studied and a framework for care should be in place, since most morbidity potentially is amenable to intervention. In summary, TS is a condition associated with a number of diseases and conditions which need the attention of a multi-disciplinary team during adulthood.

Dilation of the ascending aorta in Turner syndrome - a prospective cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of aortic dissection is 100-fold increased in Turner syndrome (TS). Unfortunately, risk stratification is inadequate due to a lack of insight into the natural course of the syndrome-associated aortopathy. Therefore, this study aimed to prospectively assess aortic dimensions in TS. METHODS: Eighty adult TS patients were examined twice with a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 0.4 years, and 67 healthy age and gender-matched controls were examined once. Aortic dimensions were measured at nine predefined positions using 3D, non-contrast and free-breathing cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Transthoracic echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure were also performed. RESULTS: At baseline, aortic diameters (body surface area indexed) were larger at all positions in TS. Aortic dilation was more prevalent at all positions excluding the distal transverse aortic arch. Aortic diameter increased in the aortic sinus, at the sinotubular junction and in the mid-ascending aorta with growth rates of 0.1 - 0.4 mm/year. Aortic diameters at all other positions were unchanged. The bicuspid aortic valve conferred higher aortic sinus growth rates (p < 0.05). No other predictors of aortic growth were identified. CONCLUSION: A general aortopathy is present in TS with enlargement of the ascending aorta, which is accelerated in the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve.

Delayed ß-cell response and glucose intolerance in young women with Turner syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To investigate glucose homeostasis in detail in Turner syndrome (TS), where impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes are frequent. METHODS: Cross sectional study of women with Turner syndrome (TS)(n = 13) and age and body mass index matched controls (C) (n = 13), evaluated by glucose tolerance (oral and intravenous glucose tolerance test (OGTT and IVGTT)), insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp), beta-cell function (hyperglycaemic clamp, arginine and GLP-1 stimulation) and insulin pulsatility. RESULTS: Fasting glucose and insulin levels were similar. Higher glucose responses was seen in TS during OGTT and IVGTT, persisting after correction for body weight or muscle mass, while insulin responses were similar in TS and C, despite the higher glucose level in TS, leading to an insufficient increase in insulin response during dynamic testing. Insulin sensitivity was comparable in the two groups (TS vs. control: 8.6 ± 1.8 vs. 8.9 ± 1.8 mg/kg*30 min; p = 0.6), and the insulin responses to dynamic ß-cell function tests were similar. Insulin secretion patterns examined by deconvolution analysis, approximate entropy, spectral analysis and autocorrelation analysis were similar. In addition we found low IGF-I, higher levels of cortisol and norepinephrine and an increased waist-hip ratio in TS. CONCLUSIONS: Young normal weight TS women show significant glucose intolerance in spite of normal insulin secretion during hyperglycaemic clamping and normal insulin sensitivity. We recommend regularly testing for diabetes in TS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with http://clinicaltrials.com, ID nr: NCT00419107.

Thoracic aortopathy in Turner syndrome and the influence of bicuspid aortic valves and blood pressure: a CMR study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate aortic dimensions in women with Turner syndrome (TS) in relation to aortic valve morphology, blood pressure, karyotype, and clinical characteristics. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross sectional study of 102 women with TS (mean age 37.7; 18-62 years) examined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR- successful in 95), echocardiography, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. Aortic diameters were measured by CMR at 8 positions along the thoracic aorta. Twenty-four healthy females were recruited as controls. In TS, aortic dilatation was present at one or more positions in 22 (23%). Aortic diameter in women with TS and bicuspid aortic valve was significantly larger than in TS with tricuspid valves in both the ascending (32.4 +/- 6.7 vs. 26.0 +/- 4.4 mm; p < 0.001) and descending (21.4 +/- 3.5 vs. 18.8 +/- 2.4 mm; p < 0.001) aorta. Aortic diameter correlated to age (R = 0.2 - 0.5; p < 0.01), blood pressure (R = 0.4; p < 0.05), a history of coarctation (R = 0.3; p = 0.01) and bicuspid aortic valve (R = 0.2-0.5; p < 0.05). Body surface area only correlated with descending aortic diameter (R = 0.23; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic dilatation was present in 23% of adult TS women, where aortic valve morphology, age and blood pressure were major determinants of the aortic diameter.

Abnormalities of the major intrathoracic arteries in Turner syndrome as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Ectatic aortopathy and arterial abnormalities cause excess morbidity and mortality in Turner syndrome, where a state of vasculopathy seemingly extends into the major head and neck branch arteries. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of abnormalities of the major intrathoracic arteries, their interaction with arterial dimensions, and their association with karyotype. DESIGN: Magnetic resonance imaging scans determined the arterial abnormalities as well as head and neck branch artery and aortic dimensions in 99 adult women with Turner syndrome compared with 33 healthy female controls. Echocardiography determined aortic valve morphology. RESULTS: In Turner syndrome, the relative risk of any congenital abnormality was 7.7 (p = 0.003) and 6.7 of ascending aortic dilation (p = 0.02). A bovine aortic arch was seen in both Turner syndrome and controls. Other abnormalities were only encountered in Turner syndrome: elongated transverse aortic arch (47%), bicuspid aortic valve (27%), aortic coarctation (13%), aberrant right subclavian artery (8%), and aortic arch hypoplasia (2%). The innominate and left common carotid arteries were enlarged in Turner syndrome (p < 0.001). Significant associations were first, bicuspid aortic valve with aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch, and ascending aortic dilation; second, aortic coarctation with elongated aortic arch and descending aortic dilation; third, 45,X with aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch and ascending aortic dilation; and fourth, branch artery dilation with bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch and 45,X. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of arterial abnormalities, aortic dilation, and enlargement of the branch arteries was found in Turner syndrome without distinct patterns of co-segregation.

[Work-up of penicillin allergy].

Up to 10% of hospitalised patients are registered as penicillin allergic. However, 80-90% will tolerate penicillin after evaluation. New Danish guidelines suggest criteria for evaluation of patients based on risk stratification according to the severity of the index reaction. The allergy label can be removed immediately, if allergy can be ruled out using the criteria presented in this review, but all other patients should be referred for evaluation in a specialist allergy department. Specific IgE measurement should only be done in adult patients with an immediate reaction (onset less-than 2 h after intake of a tablet) or urticaria.

Turner syndrome and clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder associated with abnormalities of the X chromosome, occurring in about 50 per 100,000 liveborn girls. TS is usually associated with reduced adult height, gonadal dysgenesis and thus insufficient circulating levels of female sex steroids leading to premature ovarian failure and infertility. The average intellectual performance is within the normal range. New insight into genetics, epidemiology, cardiology, endocrinology and metabolism from a number of recent studies will be included in this review. SOURCES OF DATA: For this review we concentrated on all papers published on TS with special emphasis on the most recent literature. Also papers relating to cardiology, especially aortic dissection, paediatrics and the effects of estradiol in other conditions were considered. The main source was PubMed and the major endocrinology and cardiology journals. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Treatment with growth hormone (GH) during childhood and adolescence allows a considerable gain in adult height. SHOX deficiency explains some of the phenotypic characteristics in TS, principally short stature. Puberty has to be induced in most cases, and female sex hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is given during adult years. Morbidity and mortality is increased, especially due to the risk of dissection of the aorta and other cardiovascular (CV) diseases, as well as the risk of type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and thyroid disease. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The proper dose of HRT with female sex steroids has not been established, and, likewise, benefits and/or drawbacks from HRT have not been thoroughly evaluated. In most countries it seems that the transition period from paediatric to adult care is especially vulnerable and the proper framework for transition has not been established. Today, most treatment recommendations are based on expert opinion and are unfortunately not evidence based, although more areas, such as GH treatment for increasing height, are well founded. GROWING POINTS: The description of adult life with TS has been broadened and medical, social and psychological aspects are being added at a compelling pace. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Proper care during adulthood should be studied, since most morbidity potentially is amenable to proper care. Especially, interventional strategy and follow-up with respect to congenital CV malformations, as well as secondary CV disease, have to be developed and new treatment algorithms have to be studied. In summary, TS is a condition associated with a number of diseases and conditions, which need the attention of a multi-disciplinary team.

Body composition is distinctly altered in Turner syndrome: relations to glucose metabolism, circulating adipokines, and endothelial adhesion molecules.

BACKGROUND: Body composition in Turner syndrome (TS) is altered with final height of TS decreased; anthropometry and bone mass distinctly changed. AIM: To describe total and regional distribution of fat and muscle mass in TS and the relation to measures of glucose metabolism, sex hormones, IGFs, and markers of inflammation and vascular function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four women with TS (mean age, 42.5 +/- 9.7 years) and an age-matched group of controls (n = 55) were examined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans with determination of regional body composition and estimation of visceral fat and skeletal muscle mass. We determined maximal oxygen uptake and assessed physical activity using a questionnaire. We measured serum adiponectin, ghrelin, IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), estradiol, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin, glucose, cytokines, vascular cell adhesion molecule-I, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-I. Insulin sensitivity was estimated. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between variables. RESULTS: TS had lower total lean body mass (LBM), while body mass index (BMI) and total fat mass (FM) were increased. We found increased visceral FM, and decreased trunk LBM, appendicular LBM, and skeletal muscle mass. VO2max and physical activity were significantly lower in TS, as were most hormone levels, except increased leptin. In multiple linear regression models, status (i.e. TS or control) was a consistent contributing variable. CONCLUSION: Profound changes are present in body composition in TS, with increased FM, and decreased skeletal muscle mass. Circulating hormones, VO2max, and insulin sensitivity influence body composition. The accumulation of visceral fat would predict a higher risk of development of the insulin resistance syndrome.

Socioeconomic parameters and mortality in Turner syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by hypogonadism, short adult height, increased morbidity and mortality, contrasted by self-reported normal quality of life and perception of health. Small studies have indicated a similar level of education compared with the background population. AIM: To study the socioeconomic profile in TS and the impact of these factors on mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Register study using Danish nationwide registries. Nine hundred and seventy-nine TS females and 94,850 controls were included. Information concerning cohabitation, motherhoods, level of education (bachelor degree), income, retirement, and death were obtained. One hundred and three TS and 5989 controls died during the study period. For the socioeconomic parameters, median age at first relevant episode was calculated. Income was analyzed using conditional logistic regression and the other parameters using Cox regression. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, TS had significantly fewer partnerships (hazard ratio (HR): 0.45), fewer motherhoods (HR: 0.18), and retired earlier (HR: 1.8). After the diagnosis of TS, the risk of retiring was increased. Educational attainment (HR: 1.0) as well as risk of unemployment was similar. Before the age of 30, low income was significantly more frequent; hereafter, it was similar to controls. Mortality was significantly increased (HR: 2.9) and slightly lower after adjustment for cohabitation and education (HR: 2.7). CONCLUSIONS: A divergent socioeconomic profile is apparent, with a reduced proportion of TS persons finding a partner and becoming mothers. The educational level was similar to controls. The increased mortality in TS was not materially affected after adjustment for cohabitation and education.

Sex hormone replacement in Turner syndrome.

The cardinal features of Turner syndrome (TS) are short stature, congenital abnormalities, infertility due to gonadal dysgenesis, with sex hormone insufficiency ensuing from premature ovarian failure, which is involved in lack of proper development of secondary sex characteristics and the frequent osteoporosis seen in Turner syndrome. But sex hormone insufficiency is also involved in the increased cardiovascular risk, state of physical fitness, insulin resistance, body composition, and may play a role in the increased incidence of autoimmunity. Severe morbidity and mortality affects females with Turner syndrome. Recent research emphasizes the need for proper sex hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the entire lifespan of females with TS and new hypotheses concerning estrogen receptors, genetics and the timing of HRT offers valuable new information. In this review, we will discuss the effects of estrogen and androgen insufficiency as well as the effects of sex HRT on morbidity and mortality with special emphasis on evidence based research and areas needing further studies.

Estradiol acutely inhibits whole body lipid oxidation and attenuates lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue: a randomized, placebo-controlled study in postmenopausal women.

CONTEXT: Estradiol (E(2)) promotes and maintains the female phenotype characterized by subcutaneous fat accumulation. There is evidence to suggest that this effect is due to increased anti-lipolytic α2A-adrenergic receptors, but whether this requires long-term exposure to E(2) or is an immediate effect is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To study acute effects of a single dose (4 mg) of 17ß-E(2) on regional and systemic lipolysis. METHODS: Sixteen postmenopausal women (age, 595 years; weight, 6710 kg; and BMI, 24.82.9) were studied in a crossover design: i) placebo and ii) 4 mg E(2). Basal and adrenaline-stimulated regional lipolysis was assessed by microdialysis and substrate oxidation rates by indirect calorimetry. Tissue biopsies were obtained to assess lipoprotein lipase activity and mRNA expression of adrenergic, estrogen, cytokine, and vascular reactivity receptors. RESULTS: Acute E(2) stimulation significantly attenuated catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue (interstitial glycerol concentration (micromole/liter) ANOVA time vs treatment interaction, P=0.01) and lipolysis in general in abdominal adipose tissue (ANOVA treatment alone, P<0.05). E(2) also reduced basal lipid oxidation ((mg/kg per min) placebo, 0.58 ± 0.06 vs E(2), 0.45 ± 0.03; P=0.03) and induced a significantly higher expression of anti-lipolytic α2A-adrenergic receptor mRNA (P=0.02) in skeletal muscle tissue as well as an upregulation of eNOS (NOS3) mRNA (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: E(2) acutely attenuates the lipolytic response to catecholamines in subcutaneous adipose tissue, shifts muscular adrenergic receptor mRNA toward anti-lipolytic α2A-receptors, decreases whole body lipid oxidation, and enhances expression of markers of vascular reactivity.

Acute estrogen exposure does not affect basal very low-density lipoprotein-triglyceride production or oxidation in postmenopausal women.

CONTEXT: Long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estradiol (E(2)) is associated with an altered lipid profile including unfavorable increases in triglyceride (TG) concentrations and augmented hepatic very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG production. There are indications that this effect of estrogens may be immediate. OBJECTIVE: To study the in vivo effect of a single dose of E(2) on VLDL-TG kinetics and oxidation in humans. METHODS: Eight healthy, postmenopausal women were given a single dose of either placebo or E(2) (4 mg) orally. VLDL-TG kinetics was assessed by a 240-min primed-continuous infusion of ex vivo labeled [1-(14)C]triolein-labeled VLDL. Fractional and absolute VLDL-TG oxidation was determined by hyamin trapping of exhaled (14)C label. Indirect calorimetry provided measurements of lipid oxidation. RESULTS: Administration of 4 mg of E(2) orally rapidly increased plasma E(2) concentrations from below detection threshold to premenopausal levels. Free fatty acids (FFA) and TG concentrations were unaltered. No immediate effect was observed on either VLDL-TG production (placebo versus E(2)): 20.0+/-12.4 vs 24.1+/-10.7 micromol/min, P=0.33; VLDL-TG oxidation: 12.3+/-10.9 vs 12.6+/-5.6 micromol/min, P=0.93); or VLDL-TG clearance rates: 51.4+/-16.8 vs 64.9+/-28.8 ml/min, P=0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term E(2) elevation does not affect VLDL-TG production, oxidation, or clearance in humans. We therefore propose that HRT-associated dyslipidemia has a gradual rather than immediate onset.