Identification and Economic Evaluation of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Care Consumption Patterns Using Sequence Analysis.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of care consumption patterns and individual characteristics on the cost of treating differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), in France, with a specific emphasis on socioeconomic position. Methods: The methodology involved a net cost approach utilising cases from the EVATHYR cohort and controls from the French National Health Insurance database. Care consumption patterns were created using Optimal Matching and clustering techniques. The individual characteristics influence on patterns was assessed using multinomial logistic regression. The individual characteristics and patterns influence on care costs was assessed using generalised estimating equations. Results: The findings revealed an average cost of €13,753 per patient during the initial 3 years. Regression models suggested the main predictors of high DTC specific care consumption tended to include having a high risk of cancer recurrence (OR = 4.97), being a woman (OR = 2.00), and experiencing socio-economic deprivation (OR = 1.26), though not reaching statistical significance. Finally, high DTC-specific care consumers also incurred higher general care costs (RR = 1.35). Conclusion: The study underscores the increased costs of managing DTC, shaped by consumption habits and socioeconomic position, emphasising the need for more nuanced DTC management strategies.

Impact of exenatide on weight loss and eating behavior in adults with craniopharyngioma-related obesity: the CRANIOEXE randomized placebo-controlled trial.

IMPORTANCE: A major issue in the management of craniopharyngioma-related obesity (CRO) is the ineffectiveness of the current therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs compared with placebo in adults with obesity CRO. DESIGN: A double-blind multicenter superiority randomized clinical in trial in two parallel arms. SETTING: Eleven French University Hospital Centers. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with CRO (body mass index > 30 kg/m²) without the sign of recurrence of craniopharyngioma in the past year. INTERVENTIONS: Exenatide or placebo injected subcutaneously twice a day during 26 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the mean change in body weight at week 26 in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary outcomes were eating behavior, calories intake, energy expenditure, cardiovascular, metabolic risk factor, quality of life, and the tolerance profile. RESULTS: At week 26, weight decreased from baseline by a mean of -3.8 (SD 4.3) kg for exenatide and -1.6 (3.8) kg for placebo. The adjusted mean treatment difference was -3.1 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] -7.0 to 0.7, P = 0.11). Results were compatible with a higher reduction of hunger score with exenatide compared with placebo (estimated treatment difference in change from baseline to week 26: -2.3, 95% CI -4.5 to -0.2), while all other outcomes did not significantly differ between groups. Adverse events were more common with exenatide versus placebo, and occurred in, respectively, 19 (95%) participants (108 events) and 14 (70%) participants (54 events). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Combined with intensive lifestyle interventions, a 26-week treatment with exenatide was not demonstrated superior to placebo to treat craniopharyngioma-related obesity.

Beyond MEN1, when to think about MEN4? Retrospective study on 5600 patients in the French population & literature review.

CONTEXT: Germline CDKN1B variants predispose patients to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4), a rare MEN1-like syndrome, with <100 reported cases since its discovery in 2006. Although CDKN1B mutations are frequently suggested to explain cases of genetically-negative MEN1, the prevalence and phenotype of MEN4 patients is poorly known, and genetic counseling is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of MEN4 in MEN1-suspected patients and characterize the phenotype of MEN4 patients. DESIGN: Retrospective observational nationwide study. Narrative review of literature and variant class reassessment. PATIENTS: We included all adult patients with class 3/4/5 CDKN1B variants identified by the laboratories from the French TENGEN network between 2015 and 2022 through germline genetic testing for MEN1 suspicion. After class reassessment, we compared the phenotype of symptomatic patients with class 4/5 CDKN1B variants, i.e. with genetically-confirmed MEN4 diagnosis, in our series and in literature with 66 matched MEN1 patients from the UMD-MEN1 database. RESULTS: From 5600 MEN1-suspected patients analyzed, four patients with class 4/5 CDKN1B variant were found (0.07%). They presented with multiple duodenal NET, PHPT and adrenal nodule, isolated PHPT, PHPT and pNET. We listed 29 patients with CDKN1B class 4/5 variants from literature. Compared to matched MEN1 patients, MEN4 patients presented lower NET incidence and older age at PHPT diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MEN4 is low. PHPT and PA represent the main associated lesions, NETs are rare. Our results suggest a milder and later phenotype than in MEN1. Our observations will help to improve genetic counseling and management of MEN4 families.

Concurrent pretibial myxedema and thyroid eye disease following mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a patient with history of Graves' disease.

A 70-year-old female had a history of thyroid surgery for benign nodules and Graves' disease. Following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, she presented Graves' orbitopathy and pretibial myxedema. Symptoms of thyroid eye disease and thyroid dermopathy improved after 500-mg methylprednisolone infusions.

Genetic testing in prolactinomas: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Prolactinomas represent 46%-66% of pituitary adenomas, but the prevalence of germline mutations is largely unknown. We present here the first study focusing on hereditary predisposition to prolactinoma. OBJECTIVE: We studied the prevalence of germline mutations in a large cohort of patients with isolated prolactinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed combining genetic and clinical data from patients referred for genetic testing of MEN1, AIP, and CDKN1B between 2003 and 2020. SF3B1 was Sanger sequenced in genetically negative patients. RESULTS: About 506 patients with a prolactinoma were included: 80 with microprolactinoma (15.9%), 378 with macroprolactinoma (74.7%), 48 unknown; 49/506 in a familial context (9.7%). Among these, 14 (2.8%) had a (likely) pathogenic variant (LPV) in MEN1 or AIP, and none in CDKN1B. All positive patients had developed a macroprolactinoma before age 30. The prevalence of germline mutations in patients with isolated macroprolactinoma under 30 was 4% (11/258) in a sporadic context and 15% (3/20) in a familial context. Prevalence in sporadic cases younger than 18 was 15% in men (5/33) and 7% in women (4/57). No R625H SF3B1 germline mutation was identified in 264 patients with macroprolactinomas. CONCLUSIONS: We did not identify any LPVs in patients over 30 years of age, either in a familial or in a sporadic context, and in a sporadic context in our series or the literature. Special attention should be paid to young patients and to familial context.

TLR8 escapes X chromosome inactivation in human monocytes and CD4+ T cells.

BACKGROUND: Human endosomal Toll-like receptors TLR7 and TLR8 recognize self and non-self RNA ligands, and are important mediators of innate immunity and autoimmune pathogenesis. TLR7 and TLR8 are, respectively, encoded by adjacent X-linked genes. We previously established that TLR7 evades X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female immune cells. Whether TLR8 also evades XCI, however, has not yet been explored. METHOD: In the current study, we used RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA FISH) to directly visualize, on a single-cell basis, primary transcripts of TLR7 and TLR8 relative to X chromosome territories in CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes from women, Klinefelter syndrome (KS) men, and euploid men. To assign X chromosome territories in cells lacking robust expression of a XIST compartment, we designed probes specific for X-linked genes that do not escape XCI and therefore robustly label the active X chromosome. We also assessed whether XCI escape of TLR8 was associated with sexual dimorphism in TLR8 protein expression by western blot and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Using RNA FISH, we show that TLR8, like TLR7, evades XCI in immune cells, and that cells harboring simultaneously TLR7 and TLR8 transcript foci are more frequent in women and KS men than in euploid men, resulting in a sevenfold difference in frequency. This transcriptional bias was again observable when comparing the single X of XY males with the active X of cells from females or KS males. Interestingly, TLR8 protein expression was significantly higher in female mononuclear blood cells, including all monocyte subsets, than in male cells. CONCLUSIONS: TLR8, mirroring TLR7, escapes XCI in human monocytes and CD4+ T cells. Co-dependent transcription from the active X chromosome and escape from XCI could both contribute to higher TLR8 protein abundance in female cells, which may have implications for the response to viruses and bacteria, and the risk of developing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Human endosomal Toll-like receptors TLR7 and TLR8, encoded by two adjacent X-linked genes, recognize self and non-self RNA ligands, and are important mediators of innate immunity and autoimmune pathogenesis. We previously reported that TLR7 evades X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female immune cells, correlating with enhanced functional properties in B cells harboring biallelic expression of this gene. Here, we conducted a comprehensive single-cell resolution analysis of the transcriptional regulation of both TLR7 and TLR8, in CD14⁺ monocytes and CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. We unequivocally demonstrated that TLR8, like TLR7, escapes XCI in immune cells from female and Klinefelter syndrome males. When we analyzed TLR7 and TLR8 transcripts together, cells from women and KS men exhibited higher frequencies of cells co-transcribing the two genes. Surprisingly, these differences were attributable not only to the ability of TLR7 and TLR8 to be expressed on the Xi, but also to the joint transcriptional behavior of the TLR7­TLR8 gene pair on the active X chromosome specifically. This contrasted with a striking pattern of mutually exclusive transcription on the single X of euploid men. Corroborating our RNA FISH results, we found higher TLR8 protein expression in female than in male leukocytes, including all monocyte subpopulations. In summary, our data suggest that sex-biased co-regulation of the Toll-like receptor locus and XCI escape of TLR8 contribute to the sexual dimorphism in TLR8 expression, which may have important consequences for the functional make-up of monocyte and T cell populations.

Quality of life in men with Klinefelter syndrome: a multicentre study.

Background: Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is associated with an increased risk of lower socioeconomic status and a higher risk for morbidity and mortality, which may have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study is to investigate QOL in a large European cohort of men with KS. Design: Cross-sectional multicentre study. Methods: Two-hundred-eighteen men with KS were recruited from 14 clinical study centres in 6 European countries which participated in the European dsd-LIFE study. Male normative data from a healthy and a psychiatric reference population were used for comparison. The validated World Health Organization (WHO) QOL (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire was used to investigate five main domains of quality of life (WHOQOL): global, physical, psychological, environment, and social. Results: The QOL physical domain score was lower for men with KS compared to the healthy reference population (KS: 66.9; s.d. 19.4, n = 193; healthy reference population: 76.5; s.d. 16.2, n = 1324, P < 0.001) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (54.6; s.d. 20.6; n = 77, P < 0.001). The WHOQOL-psychological domain score was lower for men with KS compared to the healthy reference population (KS: 63.6; s.d. 17.8, n = 193; healthy reference population: 67.8; s.d. 15.6, n = 1324, P < 0.05) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (45.9; s.d. 26.0), n = 77, P < 0.001). The social domain score on the WHOQOL questionnaire was found to be lower in men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) compared to the healthy reference population (KS: 60.0; s.d. 21.6, n = 193; healthy reference population: 68.2; s.d. 13.8, n = 1324, P < 0.001). However, this score was similar to that of the psychiatric reference population (61.0; s.d. 17.0, n = 77, P = 0.5). The WHO environment domain score of men with KS (70.0; s.d. 15.0, n = 193) was similar to the healthy reference population (70.5; s.d. 20.7, n = 1324) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (61.9; s.d. 20.8, n = 77, P = 0.002). Experienced discrimination, less social activities, and the presence of chronic health problems were associated with significantly decreased QOL in men with KS. Conclusion: Overall QOL in European men with KS is significantly worse compared to a healthy European reference population. Especially, the presence of discrimination, less social activities, and chronic health problems is associated with lower physical, psychological, and social QOL. Further studies are necessary to investigate if a multidisciplinary approach may help to provide adequate counselling and psychosocial support to improve QOL.

ESTIMation of the ABiLity of prophylactic central compartment neck dissection to modify outcomes in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically low-risk cT1bT2N0 papillary thyroid carcinoma is controversial, due to a large number of conflicting retrospective studies, some showing an advantage in terms of locoregional recurrence, others showing no advantage. These previous studies all show high rates of excellent response. We aim to demonstrate the non-inferiority of thyroidectomy alone as compared to total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central neck dissection in conjunction with adjuvant RAI 30 mCi with rTSH stimulation in terms of excellent response at 1 year. TRIAL DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective randomized open multicenter phase III trial including patients with 11-40-mm papillary thyroid carcinoma (Bethesda VI) or suspicious cytology (Bethesda V) confirmed malignant on intra-operative frozen section analysis, with no suspicious lymph nodes on a specialized preoperative ultrasound examination. Patients will be randomized 1:1 into two groups: the reference group total thyroidectomy with bilateral prophylactic central neck dissection, and the comparator group total thyroidectomy alone. All patients will receive an ablative dose of 30mCi of radioactive iodine (RAI) within 4 months of surgery. The primary outcome is to compare the rate of excellent response at 1 year after surgery between the groups, as defined by an unstimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level ≤ 0.2 ng/mL with no anti-Tg antibodies, an normal neck ultrasound and no ectopic uptake on the post-RAI scintiscan. Non-inferiority will be demonstrated if the rate of patients with excellent response at 1 year after randomization does not differ by more than 5%. Setting the significance level at 0.025 (one-sided) and a power of 80% requires a sample size of 598 patients (299 per group). Secondary outcomes are to compare Tg levels at 8 +/- 2 postoperative weeks, before RAI ablation, the rate of excellent response at 3 and 5 years, the rate of other responses at 1, 3, and 5 years (biochemical incomplete, indeterminate, and structurally incomplete responses), complications, quality of life, and cost-utility. DISCUSSION (POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS): If non-inferiority is demonstrated with this high-level evidence, prophylactic neck dissection will have been shown to not be necessary in clinically low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03570021. June 26,2018.

Central Hypothyroidism is Frequent During Mitotane Therapy in Adrenocortical Cancer Patients: Prevalence and Timeline.

CONTEXT: Central hypothyroidism was described previously in mitotane-treated patients but data on its prevalence and time of occurrence are limited. OBJECTIVE: To better characterize thyroid hormone insufficiency in patients exposed to mitotane. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients from 2 academic centers in Montreal (Canada) and Toulouse (France) with exposure to mitotane therapy for adrenocortical cancer between 1995 and 2020. We analyzed the thyroid function parameters during and after treatment. RESULTS: In our cohort of 83 patients, 17 were excluded because of preexisting primary hypothyroidism or drug-induced hypothyroidism. During follow-up, 3/66 patients maintained a normal thyroid function and 63/66 developed central hypothyroidism. Among those 63 patients, 56 presented with an inappropriately normal or low TSH and 7 with a mildly elevated TSH. The onset of hypothyroidism was: <3 months in 33.3%, 3 to 6 months in 19.1%, 6 to 9 months in 14.3%, and 9 to 12 months in 9.5%. At least 14.3% of cases occurred after 12 months of exposure, and 6 patients had an undetermined time of occurrence. Over time, 27 patients stopped mitotane and partial (42.3%) or complete (23.1%) recovery from hypothyroidism was observed, mainly in the first 2 years after mitotane discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Mitotane therapy is frequently associated with new onset of central hypothyroidism with a prevalence of 95.5%. Most cases occurred in the first year of treatment. Partial or full recovery of thyroid function occurs in 65.4% of cases. This study supports the importance of systematic monitoring of TSH and free T4 levels during and following discontinuation of mitotane therapy.

Obesity, Overweight, and Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome in Children and Young Adults.

CONTEXT: Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is rare in the pediatric population. It combines ectopic posterior pituitary stalk interruption and anterior pituitary hypoplasia with hormonal deficiencies. The phenotype is highly heterogeneous and obesity/overweight seems to be underreported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To identify patients with PSIS and obesity or overweight, describe their phenotype, and compare them with patients with PSIS without overweight/obesity. METHODS: Sixty-nine children and young adults with PSIS in a Toulouse cohort from 1984 to 2019 were studied. We identified 25 obese or overweight patients (OB-OW group), and 44 were nonobese/overweight (NO group). Then the groups were compared. RESULTS: All cases were sporadic. The sex ratio was 1.6. The main reason for consultation in both groups was growth retardation (61% in OB-OW group, 77% in NO group). History of neonatal hypoglycemia was more common in the OB-OW than in the NO group (57% vs 14%, P = .0008), along with extrapituitary malformations (64% vs 20%, P < 0001). The incidence of caesarean section was higher in the OB-OW group (52%) than in the NO group (23%), although not significant (P = .07). CONCLUSION: Patients with PSIS who are obese/overweight display interesting phenotypic differences that suggest hypothalamic defects. Studies are needed that include additional information on hormonal levels, particularly regarding oxytocin and ghrelin.

SFE-AFCE-SFMN 2022 Consensus on the management of thyroid nodules : Thyroid nodules and pregnancy.

The SFE-AFCE-SFMN 2022 consensus deals with the management of thyroid nodules, a condition that is a frequent reason for consultation in endocrinology. In more than 90% of cases, patients are euthyroid, with benign non-progressive nodules that do not warrant specific treatment. The clinician's objective is to detect malignant thyroid nodules at risk of recurrence and death, toxic nodules responsible for hyperthyroidism or compressive nodules warranting treatment. The diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules requires close collaboration between endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians and surgeons, but also involves other specialists. Therefore, this consensus statement was established jointly by 3 societies: the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE), French Association of Endocrine Surgery (AFCE) and French Society of Nuclear Medicine (SFMN); the various working groups included experts from other specialties (pathologists, radiologists, pediatricians, biologists, etc.). The present section deals with the epidemiology and specificities of diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules in pregnant women.

The impact of Klinefelter syndrome on socioeconomic status: a multicenter study.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is associated with an increased risk of neuropsychological morbidity, such as learning disabilities, which may have a significant impact on socioeconomic status (SES). The objective of this study was to investigate the SES in men with KS and to associate this outcome with social participation, age at diagnosis, testosterone therapy and physical and mental health status. Men with KS were recruited in 14 clinical study centers in six European countries which participated in the European dsd-LIFE study. Two hundred five men with KS were eligible for inclusion. Male normative data from the European Social Surveys (ESS) were used for comparison. Data related to education, occupation, satisfaction with income and householding were collected. Compared to the ESS reference population, fewer men with KS achieved a high level of education (13% vs 25%, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in having a paid job (55% vs 66%, P < 0.001), and the percentage of absence by sickness or disability was higher among men with KS (10% vs 3%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, satisfaction with current household's income was lower (32% vs 42%, P < 0.01). Lower scores for subjective general health were associated with lower scores for these outcomes. Men with KS achieve on average lower levels of education, occupation and report less satisfaction with income compared to the ESS reference population. The presence of health problems and lower scores of subjective general health was related to lower levels of occupation and lower satisfaction with income in men with KS.

Orbital inflammatory disease following mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

A 65-year-old woman reported orbital symptoms two days after her first dose and presented exacerbation of signs after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The temporal relationship between the COVID-19 vaccination and orbital symptoms suggests a probable link between SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine and this orbital inflammatory disease.

IGF-I Variability Over Repeated Measures in Patients With Acromegaly Under Long-Acting Somatostatin Receptor Ligands.

CONTEXT: In patients with acromegaly on long-term treatment with long-acting somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs), the time of blood collection for IGF-I measurement after injection is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess serum IGF-I dynamics and variability in SRL-treated patients compared with surgically cured patients and healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty patients under SRLs considered controlled based on a normal previous IGF-I level, 10 patients cured by pituitary surgery, and 7 healthy subjects underwent 4 weekly IGF-I determinations. RESULTS: In SRL-treated patients, the IGF-I SDS (mean ±â€…SD) was higher just before injection (0.34 ±â€…0.66) than at Day 7 (-0.33 ±â€…0.61; P = 0.0041) and Day 14 (-0.23 ±â€…0.60; P = 0.047) after injection, but it did not significantly vary in cured patients and healthy controls. The IGF-I CV was higher in SRL-treated patients than in cured patients or healthy controls (14.4 ±â€…7.6% vs 7.9 ±â€…4.4% and 8.3 ±â€…3.2%, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). Among SRL-treated patients, IGF-I CV was higher in "nonoptimally controlled patients"-i.e., patients with at least one elevated IGF-I value out of 4 (n = 9) compared with "optimally controlled" patients for whom all 4 IGF-I SDS values were < 2.0 (21.3 ±â€…9.3 vs 11.6 ±â€…6.0%; P = 0.0019). The latter did not differ from surgically cured patients and healthy controls. The measurement at the farthest distance from the SRL injection was the most predictive of patients with nonoptimally controlled disease. CONCLUSION: In patients treated with long-acting SRLs, IGF-I sampling at the farthest distance from SRL injection is the most informative and best predictor of optimal disease control.

Factors influencing the levothyroxine dose in the hormone replacement therapy of primary hypothyroidism in adults.

Levothyroxine (LT4) is a safe, effective means of hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Here, we review the pharmaceutical, pathophysiological and behavioural factors influencing the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of LT4. Any factor that alters the state of the epithelium in the stomach or small intestine will reduce and/or slow absorption of LT4; these include ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, bariatric surgery, Helicobacter pylori infection, food intolerance, gastritis, mineral supplements, dietary fibre, resins, and various drugs. Once in the circulation, LT4 is almost fully bound to plasma proteins. Although free T4 (FT4) and liothyronine concentrations are extensively buffered, it is possible that drug- or disorder-induced changes in plasma proteins levels can modify free hormone levels. The data on the clinical significance of genetic variants in deiodinase genes are contradictory, and wide-scale genotyping of hypothyroid patients is not currently justified. We developed a decision tree for the physician faced with an abnormally high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in a patient reporting adequate compliance with the recommended LT4 dose. The physician should review medications, the medical history and the serum FT4 level and check for acute adrenal insufficiency, heterophilic anti-TSH antibodies, antibodies against gastric and intestinal components (gastric parietal cells, endomysium, and tissue transglutaminase 2), and Helicobacter pylori infection. The next step is an LT4 pharmacodynamic absorption test; poor LT4 absorption should prompt a consultation with a gastroenterologist and (depending on the findings) an increase in the LT4 dose level. An in-depth etiological investigation can reveal visceral disorders and, especially, digestive tract disorders.