ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: It is reported that adding cabergoline to somatostatin analog (SSA) normalizes IGF-1 levels approximately in one-third of patients with acromegaly. We investigated the effect of combination therapy and potential predictors of response in patients with acromegaly who do not respond to SSA therapy alone. Subjects and methods: Fifty acromegaly patients (M/F 23/27, mean age 50.88 ± 12.34 years) were divided into two groups as the active and control groups in this connection. Before and after treatment, we not only evaluated serum GH and IGF-1 levels and tumor size but also analyzed the factors relevant to the effect of the combined therapy. Results: Adding cabergoline to SSA treatment led to IGF-1 normalization in 42% (21/50) of patients. Mean GH levels decreased from 2.64 ± 1.79 to 1.34 ± 0.99 ng/mL (p < .0001) and IGF-1 levels decreased from 432.92 ± 155.61 to 292.52 ± 126.15 ng/mL (p < .0001). GH and IGF-1 reduction in percent (%) were significantly higher in the controlled group (63% to 40%, p = 0.023 and 45% to 19%, p = 0.0001). Moreover, tumor size decrease was significantly higher in controlled group (-3.6 cm to -1.66 cm, p = 0.005). Conclusions: According to the results of our study, the addition of cabergoline to SSA normalized IGF-1 levels in a considerable amount of acromegaly patients with a moderately elevated IGF-1 level, regardless of serum PRL levels. Besides, cabergoline treatment was also influential in patients with higher IGF-1 levels despite a lower remission rate.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY Although the development of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) following viral infections is well-documented, the actual mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. The occurrence of SAT after vaccination has been reported in several case series and possible mechanisms such as molecular mimicry due to the exposure to viral proteins and/or abnormal reactogenicity by adjuvants have been implicated. We describe two cases who developed SAT three days after the messenger RNA vaccine against COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech®) and six days after the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac®). SAT diagnosis of these patients was delayed for more than two weeks. When the current cases were evaluated together with 1 Pfizer-BioNTech® and 3 CoronaVac® related cases reported previously, the patients were female aged between 30-42, except for the male patient we presented, and the complaints of the patients initiated within the first 2-7 days. While two Pfizer-BioNTech® vaccine-related cases were severely symptomatic and thyrotoxic at presentation, there were cases with mild to moderate clinical manifestations in CoronaVac® vaccine-related group. Physicians should be aware of SAT that may occur within a few days following the COVID-19 vaccination.