Corticotroph tumor progression after bilateral adrenalectomy: data from ERCUSYN.

Corticotroph tumor progression after bilateral adrenalectomy/Nelson's syndrome (CTP-BADX/NS) is a severe complication of bilateral adrenalectomy (BADX). The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence, presentation and outcome of CTP-BADX/NS in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) included in the European Registry on Cushing's Syndrome (ERCUSYN). We examined data on 1045 CD patients and identified 85 (8%) who underwent BADX. Of these, 73 (86%) had follow-up data available. The median duration of follow-up since BADX to the last visit/death was 7 years (IQR 2-9 years). Thirty-three patients (45%) experienced CTP-BADX/NS after 3 years (1.5-6) since BADX. Cumulative progression-free survival was 73% at 3 years, 66% at 5 years and 46% at 10 years. CTP-BADX/NS patients more frequently had a visible tumor at diagnosis of CD than patients without CTP-BADX/NS (P < 0.05). Twenty-seven CTP-BADX/NS patients underwent surgery, 48% radiotherapy and 27% received medical therapy. The median time since diagnosis of CTP-BADX/NS to the last follow-up visit was 2 years (IQR, 1-5). Control of tumor progression was not achieved in 16 of 33 (48%) patients, of whom 8 (50%) died after a mean of 4 years. Maximum adenoma size at diagnosis of CD was associated with further tumor growth in CTP-BADX/NS despite treatment (P = 0.033). Diagnosis of CTP-BADX/NS, older age, greater UFC levels at diagnosis of CD and initial treatment predicted mortality. In conclusion, CTP-BADX/NS was reported in 45% of the ERCUSYN patients who underwent BADX, and control of tumor growth was reached in half of them. Future studies are needed to establish effective strategies for prevention and treatment.

Bevacizumab in Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas - Experience with 3 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate bevacizumab as alternative treatment of aggressive pituitary adenomas after exhaustion of standard therapies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 3 patients undergoing microscopic transsphenoidal surgery of aggressive pituitary adenomas from 2008 till 2018 that were treated with bevacizumab were identified. Development of disease and treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Two patients suffered from ACTH-secreting adenomas, one from a non-functioning adenoma. All patients underwent multiple surgical, chemo- and radiotherapeutical approaches including temozolomide, showing favorable results in one patient. Deterioration of clinical condition in all patients led to an individual, palliative attempt of bevacizumab. Patients 1 and 2 showed a decrease of ACTH after first administrations, but therapy had to be ended shortly after due to a further deterioration of their condition. Patient 3 showed a stabilization of the disease for 18 months. Patients died 8, 15 and 7 years after initial diagnosis, respectively, and 2, 4, and 24 months after initiation of bevacizumab therapy, respectively. CONCLUSION: The demonstrated results suggest a considerable effect of bevacizumab in aggressive pituitary adenomas. The advanced stage of disease in all three patients, the overall short period of administration and just one patient showing a clinical benefit do not allow a general statement on the effectiveness. At the current stage of clinical experience, an approach with bevacizumab can be considered as an individual palliative attempt of treatment, when standard treatments are exhausted. Our results underline the need for further studies to evaluate this drug as potential player in therapy resistant aggressive pituitary tumors.

Standardised patient education in adrenal insufficiency: a prospective multi-centre evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) suffer from impaired quality of life and are at risk of adrenal crisis (AC) despite established replacement therapy. Patient education is regarded an important measure for prevention of AC and improvement of AI management. A standardized education programme was elaborated for patients with chronic AI in Germany. DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective, questionnaire-based, multi-centre study. METHODS: During 2-h sessions, patients (n = 526) were provided with basic knowledge on AI, equipped with emergency cards and sets and trained in self-injection of hydrocortisone. To evaluate the education programme, patients from eight certified centres completed questionnaires before, immediately after and 6-9 months after training. RESULTS: 399 completed data sets were available for analysis. Questionnaire score-values were significantly higher after patient education, indicating successful knowledge transfer (baseline: 17 ± 7.1 of a maximum score of 29; after training: 23 ± 4.2; P < 0.001), and remained stable over 6-9 months. Female sex, younger age and primary cause of AI were associated with higher baseline scores; after education, age, cause of AI and previous adrenal crisis had a significant main effect on scores. 91% of patients would dare performing self-injection after training, compared to 68% at baseline. An improvement of subjective well-being through participation in the education programme was indicated by 95% of the patients 6-9 months after participation. CONCLUSION: Patient group education in chronic AI represents a helpful tool for the guidance of patients, their self-assurance and their knowledge on prevention of adrenal crises. Repeated training and adaptation to specific needs, for example, of older patients is needed.

Clinical Situation, Therapy, and Follow-Up of Adult Craniopharyngioma.

CONTEXT: Craniopharyngioma is a rare neoplastic entity of the central nervous system. Childhood-onset craniopharyngioma is the subject of frequent research whereas the information on adult-onset craniopharyngioma is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the level of daily impairment in adult patients suffering from craniopharyngioma. DESIGN: Noninterventional patient registry indexed as PV4842 with the local ethics committee. SETTING: The study is set in a hospitalized and ambulatory setting. PATIENTS: 148 patients with adult-onset craniopharyngioma were recruited from 8 centers, 22 prospectively and 126 retrospectively. Mean follow-up was 31 months. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications, symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life (QoL; EORTC QLQ C30 and BN20) were recorded preoperatively and at follow-up. The hypotheses tested were generated after data collection. RESULTS: Complications were more frequent after transcranial than transsphenoidal approaches (31 % vs. 11%; P < 0.01). Preoperative obesity was present in 0% papillary and in 38% of all adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (P = 0.05), and diabetes insipidus was more frequent for papillary craniopharyngioma (36.8% vs. 16,7%; P < 0.05). Hormone deficits at follow-up were reduced in 16.9%, equal in 31.4%, and increased in 63.6% (P < 0.001). BMI increased from 28.7 ± 7.4 kg/m2 before surgery to 30.2 ± 7.4 kg/m2 at follow-up (P < 0.001). In QoL, a decrease of future uncertainty (62.5 vs. 36.8; P = 0.02) and visual disorders (38.9 vs. 12.0; P = 0.01) were observed in the prospective collective after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Adult craniopharyngioma is associated with a complex sociological and psychological burden and hypothalamic dysfunction, warranting further investigation and emphasizing the need for a wider treatment approach.

Efficacy of Temozolomide Therapy in Patients With Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas and Carcinomas-A German Survey.

CONTEXT: Despite growing evidence that temozolomide (TMZ) therapy is effective for the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) or carcinomas (PCs), individual therapy decisions remain challenging. OBJECTIVE: We therefore aimed to report on clinical characteristics leading to initiation of TMZ therapy and to add evidence on TMZ long-term effectiveness. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Retrospective survey on TMZ treatment in patients with APTs or PCs. TMZ therapy was initiated in 47 patients (22 females) with APTs (n = 34) or PCs (n = 13). Mean age at diagnosis was 45 ± 15 years. The immunohistochemical subtypes were corticotroph (n = 20), lactotroph (n = 18), and nonfunctioning (n = 9) tumors. TMZ therapy started 8 years after initial diagnosis using a standard regimen (median 6 cycles) for the majority of patients. RESULTS: Long-term radiological response to TMZ after a median follow-up of 32 months with 4 patients still on TMZ therapy was tumor regression for 9 (20%), stable disease for 8 (17%), and tumor progression for 29 patients (63%) (outcome data available for 46 patients). Progression occurred 16 months after initiation of TMZ. Median estimated progression-free survival was 23 months. Disease stabilization and median progression-free survival did not differ between patients with APTs or PCs. Predictors of tumor response were not identified. Overall, TMZ was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: We performed a nationwide survey on TMZ therapy in patients with APTs and PCs. While early response rates to TMZ are promising, long-term outcome is less favorable. Prolonged TMZ administration should be considered. We were not able to confirm previously reported predictors of tumor response to TMZ.

High mortality within 90 days of diagnosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome: results from the ERCUSYN registry.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) have increased mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes and time of death in a large cohort of patients with CS and to establish factors associated with increased mortality. METHODS: In this cohort study, we analyzed 1564 patients included in the European Registry on CS (ERCUSYN); 1045 (67%) had pituitary-dependent CS, 385 (25%) adrenal-dependent CS, 89 (5%) had an ectopic source and 45 (3%) other causes. The median (IQR) overall follow-up time in ERCUSYN was 2.7 (1.2-5.5) years. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients had died at the time of the analysis; 23 (47%) with pituitary-dependent CS, 6 (12%) with adrenal-dependent CS, 18 (37%) with ectopic CS and two (4%) with CS due to other causes. Of 42 patients whose cause of death was known, 15 (36%) died due to progression of the underlying disease, 13 (31%) due to infections, 7 (17%) due to cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and 2 due to pulmonary embolism. The commonest cause of death in patients with pituitary-dependent CS and adrenal-dependent CS were infectious diseases (n = 8) and progression of the underlying tumor (n = 10) in patients with ectopic CS. Patients who had died were older and more often males, and had more frequently muscle weakness, diabetes mellitus and ectopic CS, compared to survivors. Of 49 deceased patients, 22 (45%) died within 90 days from start of treatment and 5 (10%) before any treatment was given. The commonest cause of deaths in these 27 patients were infections (n = 10; 37%). In a regression analysis, age, ectopic CS and active disease were independently associated with overall death before and within 90 days from the start of treatment. CONCLUSION: Mortality rate was highest in patients with ectopic CS. Infectious diseases were the commonest cause of death soon after diagnosis, emphasizing the need for careful clinical vigilance at that time, especially in patients presenting with concomitant diabetes mellitus.

Pituitary Disease in Pregnancy: Special Aspects of Diagnosis and Treatment?

The diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease in pregnancy represents a special clinical challenge. Not least because there is very little data on the treatment of pregnant patients with pituitary disorders. A selective search of the literature was carried out with the aim of compiling evidence about the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease in pregnancy. The search covered the databases PubMed/MEDLINE including PubMed Central and also used the Livivo (ZB MED) search engine. Recent studies were evaluated for recommendations about the care of pregnant patients with hormone-inactive and hormone-active pituitary adenomas (prolactinoma, acromegaly and Cushing's disease), pituitary insufficiency, pituitary apoplexy and hypophysitis. The most well-established forms of treatment are for prolactinoma, due to the incidence of this disease and its impact on fertility. When pregnancy has been confirmed, prolactinoma treatment with dopamine agonists should be paused. Although microprolactinomas rarely increase significantly in size after the administration of dopamine agonists is discontinued, symptomatic tumor growth of macroprolactinomas can occur. In such cases, treatment with dopamine agonists can be resumed. If the primary tumor is large and the risk that it will continue to grow is high, it may be necessary to continue medical treatment from the start of pregnancy. If one of the partners has a pituitary disorder, it is often still possible for many couples to achieve their wish of having children if they receive medical support to plan and the pregnancy is carefully monitored. Given the complexity of pituitary disease, pregnant patients with pituitary disorders should be cared for and treated by a multidisciplinary team in centers specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease.

Diabetes in patients with acromegaly treated with pegvisomant: observations from acrostudy.

PURPOSE: To explore the effects of pegvisomant (PEGV) on glucose metabolism in patients with acromegaly within ACROSTUDY, an international, observational, prospective safety surveillance study. METHODS: Patients were retrospectively divided into two cohorts, with (DM group) or without diabetes mellitus (no-DM). Parameters of glucose metabolism and IGF-I values were analyzed yearly both cross-sectionally for 4 years (yrs) and longitudinally at 1 and 4-5 yrs of PEGV treatment. RESULTS: Among 1762 patients, 510 (28.9%) had DM before PEGV start. At cross-sectional analyses, in the DM group mean blood glucose was 140.0 ± 58.7 mg/dl at baseline, 116.4 ± 44.8 mg/dl at year 1 and 120.0 ± 44.3 mg/dl at yr 4. Mean HbA1c was 6.6 ± 1.2 % at yr 1 vs. 7.0 ± 1.4 % at baseline. HbA1c was above 6.5% in 61.9% at baseline and ranged from 45.4 to 53.8% at subsequent yearly time points. At the 4-yr longitudinal analysis, in the DM group (n = 109), mean blood glucose decreased by 20.2 mg/dl at yr 4, mean HbA1c was 7.0 ± 1.5% at baseline vs. 6.8 ± 1.4%. Patients achieved IGF-I normalization in 52.1% and 57.4% of cases in the DM and no-DM groups, respectively at 1 year. The mean daily PEGV dose (mg/day) was higher in the DM group (18.2 vs. 15.3) while the absolute change of IGF-I values from baseline was similar in both groups. PEGV was well tolerated in both groups without any unexpected AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DM had a moderate decrease in mean fasting glucose values during PEGV treatment.

Personality Traits and Physical Complaints in Patients With Acromegaly: A Cross Sectional Multi-Center Study With Analysis of Influencing Factors.

Objective: Acromegalic patients display a distinct neuropsychological profile and suffer from chronic physical complaints. We aimed to investigate in more detail these aspects in acromegalic patients, dependent on influencing factors like disease activity, age, sex, chronic medication, surgery, pituitary radiation, pituitary insufficiency and comorbidities. Design: Cross sectional, multicentric. Methods: 129 patients (M/W 65/64, 58.3 ± 12.7 years, 53/76 with active/controlled disease). Acromegalic patients completed the following inventories: NEO-FFI, IIP-D, and the Giessen Complaints List (GBB-24), after written informed consent. Age, sex, IGF-1 concentrations, comorbidities, treatment modalities and pituitary insufficiency were documented. Results: Acromegalic patients or specific patient-subgroups were more agreeable, neurotic, exploitable/permissive, introverted/socially avoidant, non-assertive/insecure, nurturant and less open to experience, cold/denying, domineering, compared to normal values from the healthy population (controls). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that these overall results were due to the specific patient subgroups as patients on chronic medication, with arthrosis and pituitary insufficiency. Disease activity was only associated with the trait nurturant. Higher scores for introversion were associated with arthrosis. Lower domineering was independent of any disease- or treatment related variable or comorbidity. The GBB inventory showed overall higher scores in patients, with higher scores for exhaustion and general complaints being associated with pituitary insufficiency, coronary heart disease and history of malignancy in the multivariable analysis. Joint complaints were independent of any disease- or treatment- related variable. Conclusions: We define new aspects of a distinct neuropsychological profile in patients with acromegaly, which are largely independent of disease activity. Chronic physical complaints are more pronounced in patients than in controls, with exhaustion and general complaints showing no association with disease activity.

Worse Health-Related Quality of Life at long-term follow-up in patients with Cushing's disease than patients with cortisol producing adenoma. Data from the ERCUSYN.

OBJECTIVE: Hypercortisolism in Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which may persist despite remission. We used the data entered into the European Registry on Cushing's syndrome (ERCUSYN) to evaluate if patients with CS of pituitary origin (PIT-CS) have worse HRQoL, both before and after treatment than patients with adrenal causes (ADR-CS). METHODS: Data from 595 patients (492 women; 83%) who completed the CushingQoL and/or EQ-5D questionnaires at baseline and/or following treatment were analysed. RESULTS: At baseline, HRQoL did not differ between PIT-CS (n = 293) and ADR-CS (n = 120) on both EuroQoL and CushingQoL. Total CushingQoL score in PIT-CS and ADR-CS was 41 ± 18 and 44 ± 20, respectively (P = .7). At long-time follow-up (>1 year after treatment) total CushingQoL score was however lower in PIT-CS than ADR-CS (56 ± 20 vs 62 ± 23; P = .045). In a regression analysis, after adjustment for baseline age, gender, remission status, duration of active CS, glucocorticoid dependency and follow-up time, no association was observed between aetiology and HRQoL. Remission was associated with better total CushingQoL score (P < .001), and older age at diagnosis with worse total score (P = .01). Depression at diagnosis was associated with worse total CushingQoL score at the last follow-up (P < .001). CONCLUSION: PIT-CS patients had poorer HRQoL than ADR-CS at long-term follow-up, despite similar baseline scoring. After adjusting for remission status, no interaetiology differences in HRQoL scoring were found. Age and presence of depression at diagnosis of CS may be potential predictors of worse HRQoL regardless of CS aetiology.

Preoperative medical treatment in Cushing's syndrome: frequency of use and its impact on postoperative assessment: data from ERCUSYN.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the definitive treatment of Cushing's syndrome (CS) but medications may also be used as a first-line therapy. Whether preoperative medical treatment (PMT) affects postoperative outcome remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: (1) Evaluate how frequently PMT is given to CS patients across Europe; (2) examine differences in preoperative characteristics of patients who receive PMT and those who undergo primary surgery and (3) determine if PMT influences postoperative outcome in pituitary-dependent CS (PIT-CS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1143 CS patients entered into the ERCUSYN database from 57 centers in 26 countries. Sixty-nine percent had PIT-CS, 25% adrenal-dependent CS (ADR-CS), 5% CS from an ectopic source (ECT-CS) and 1% were classified as having CS from other causes (OTH-CS). RESULTS: Twenty per cent of patients took PMT. ECT-CS and PIT-CS were more likely to receive PMT compared to ADR-CS (P < 0.001). Most commonly used drugs were ketoconazole (62%), metyrapone (16%) and a combination of both (12%). Median (interquartile range) duration of PMT was 109 (98) days. PIT-CS patients treated with PMT had more severe clinical features at diagnosis and poorer quality of life compared to those undergoing primary surgery (SX) (P < 0.05). Within 7 days of surgery, PIT-CS patients treated with PMT were more likely to have normal cortisol (P < 0.01) and a lower remission rate (P < 0.01). Within 6 months of surgery, no differences in morbidity or remission rates were observed between SX and PMT groups. CONCLUSIONS: PMT may confound the interpretation of immediate postoperative outcome. Follow-up is recommended to definitely evaluate surgical results.

Incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke in acromegaly patients: results from the German Acromegaly Registry.

PURPOSE: Acromegaly is a rare disease generally brought about by a benign tumour in the pituitary and characterized by growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) excess. Increased mortality has been related to cardiovascular events that could be linked to these hormones and patients suffer from high rates of diabetes and hypertension. In this study, we examine if the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke differ from that of the general population. METHODS: Data from the German Acromegaly Registry in seven specialized endocrine centres were analysed (n = 479, 56% female, 46 years old at diagnosis, 5549 person-years from diagnosis). Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated as compared to the general population. RESULTS: MI and stroke incidences were very close to those of the general population with an SIR (95% CI) of 0.89 (0.47-1.52, p = 0.80) for MI and 1.17 (0.66-1.93, p = 0.61) for stroke. Acromegaly was uncontrolled in 16% of patients with MI or stroke versus 21% in those without (p = 0.56). Prevalence of hypertension at the initial visit was much higher in those with MI or stroke than those without (94 vs. 43%, p < 0.001). No association was seen between radiation therapy and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: For acromegaly patients being treated at specialized centres, the incidence of MIs and strokes does not seem to differ from the general population. Certainty regarding such statements requires large, prospective studies however.

Diagnostic tests for Cushing's syndrome differ from published guidelines: data from ERCUSYN.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which tests are performed to diagnose hypercortisolism in patients included in the European Registry on Cushing's syndrome (ERCUSYN), and to examine if their use differs from the current guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on the diagnostic tests performed in 1341 patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) who have been entered into the ERCUSYN database between January 1, 2000 and January 31, 2016 from 57 centers in 26 European countries. Sixty-seven percent had pituitary-dependent CS (PIT-CS), 24% had adrenal-dependent CS (ADR-CS), 6% had CS from an ectopic source (ECT-CS) and 3% were classified as having CS from other causes (OTH-CS). RESULTS: Of the first-line tests, urinary free cortisol (UFC) test was performed in 78% of patients, overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in 60% and late-night salivary cortisol (LSaC) in 25%. Use of LSaC increased in the last five years as compared with previous years (P < 0.01). Use of HDDST was slightly more frequent in the last 5 years as compared with previous years (P < 0.05). Of the additional tests, late-night serum cortisol (LSeC) was measured in 62% and 48-h 2 mg/day low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) in 33% of cases. ACTH was performed in 78% of patients. LSeC and overnight 1 mg DST supported the diagnosis of both PIT-CS and ADR-CS more frequently than UFC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of diagnostic tests for CS varies across Europe and partly differs from the currently available guidelines. It would seem pertinent that a European consensus be established to determine the best diagnostic approach to CS, taking into account specific inter-country differences with regard to the availability of diagnostic tools.

Patient-reported outcomes of parenteral somatostatin analogue injections in 195 patients with acromegaly.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting somatostatin analogues delivered parenterally are the most widely used medical treatment in acromegaly. This patient-reported outcomes survey was designed to assess the impact of chronic injections on subjects with acromegaly. METHODS: The survey was conducted in nine pituitary centres in Germany, UK and The Netherlands. The questionnaire was developed by endocrinologists and covered aspects of acromegaly symptoms, injection-related manifestations, emotional and daily life impact, treatment satisfaction and unmet medical needs. RESULTS: In total, 195 patients participated, of which 112 (57%) were on octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) and 83 (43%) on lanreotide (Somatuline Depot). The majority (>70%) of patients reported acromegaly symptoms despite treatment. A total of 52% of patients reported that their symptoms worsen towards the end of the dosing interval. Administration site pain lasting up to a week following injection was the most frequently reported injection-related symptom (70% of patients). Other injection site reactions included nodules (38%), swelling (28%), bruising (16%), scar tissue (8%) and inflammation (7%). Injection burden was similar between octreotide and lanreotide. Only a minority of patients received injections at home (17%) and 5% were self-injecting. Over a third of patients indicated a feeling of loss of independence due to the injections, and 16% reported repeated work loss days. Despite the physical, emotional and daily life impact of injections, patients were satisfied with their treatment, yet reported that modifications that would offer major improvement over current care would be 'avoiding injections' and 'better symptom control'. CONCLUSION: Lifelong injections of long-acting somatostatin analogues have significant burden on the functioning, well-being and daily lives of patients with acromegaly.

The Incidence of Cancer Among Acromegaly Patients: Results From the German Acromegaly Registry.

CONTEXT: Acromegaly is a rare disease characterized by high serum levels of GH and IGF-1. Animal studies have demonstrated links between these hormones and cancer, but data regarding cancer incidence among acromegaly patients are inconsistent. Moreover, therapy options have changed considerably since many of the aforementioned data were collected. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the overall and site-specific incidence of cancer is comparable to that of the general population. DESIGN AND SETTING: Data from the German Acromegaly Registry for 446 patients (6656 person-years from diagnosis) treated in seven specialized endocrine centers were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Standard incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated as compared to the general population. RESULTS: Overall cancer incidence was slightly but not significantly lower than in the general population (SIR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 1.00; P = .051) and was not significantly higher for colorectal, breast, thyroid, prostate, and lung cancers. The SIRs of those with GH in the ranges <1, 1-2.5, and ≥ 2.5 ng/mL were 0.75, 0.44, and 0.92, respectively (P = .94). There was not a significant dependence on normal vs elevated IGF-1 (P = .87), radiation therapy (P = .45), disease duration (P = .96), age at diagnosis (P = .15), or during a period of high GH and IGF-1 from 8 years before to 2 years after diagnosis of acromegaly (P = .41). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer screening strategies need to take incidence into account, which does not seem to be substantially higher in treated acromegaly patients than in the general population for any site of cancer.

Diagnosis of Primary Hypophysitis in Germany.

CONTEXT: Representative data on diagnostic findings in primary hypophysitis (PrHy) are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to collate consistent data on clinical features in a large series of patients with PrHy. Another objective was to gain information on current practice in a diagnostic work-up. DESIGN: The Pituitary Working Group of the German Society of Endocrinology conducted a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional cohort study in Germany. PATIENTS: Seventy-six patients with PrHy were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and endocrinological features were assessed. RESULTS: Headache (50%) and increase in body mass (18%) were the most frequent nonendocrine symptoms. Hypophysitis was associated with pregnancy in only 11% of the female patients. Diabetes insipidus was found in 54% of the patients at presentation. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was the most frequent endocrine failure (62%), whereas GH deficiency was the least frequent (37%). With 86%, thickening of the pituitary stalk was the prevailing neuroradiological sign. Compared with surgical cases, the cases without histological confirmation presented more often with suprasellar lesions and had less severe nonendocrine symptoms. Granulomatous hypophysitis was associated with more severe clinical symptoms than lymphocytic hypophysitis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid was predominantly performed in participating neurosurgical centers, whereas thyroid antibodies were almost exclusively assessed in endocrinological centers. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the literature, hypogonadism was found to be the most frequent endocrine failure in PrHy. Weight gain was identified as a clinical sign of PrHy. In the majority of patients, PrHy can be reliably identified by characteristic clinical signs and symptoms, obviating histological confirmation. The diagnostic approach should be standardized in PrHy.

Prediction of therapy response in acromegalic patients under pegvisomant therapy within the German ACROSTUDY cohort.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at investigating predicting factors for therapy response under growth hormone receptor antagonist therapy with a focus on subjective and patient-oriented measures. METHODS: Observational, multicenter nested-cohort study including 271 selected patients with the diagnosis of acromegaly and a minimum of one-year follow-up period within the German ACROSTUDY cohort (total cohort: n = 514). Outcome measures were the change of the biomarker IGF-1 (IGF-1 change and IGF-1 normalisation) between baseline and after 1 year of pegvisomant therapy (12 ± 6 months). Main predictors were patient-assessed subjective measures according to the Patient-Assessed Acromegaly Symptom Questionnaire (PASQ) in conjugation with age, gender, BMI, max. dosage of pegvisomant at follow-up and IGF-1 before the start of pegvisomant therapy. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 51.2 (13.9) years and the mean BMI was 29.5 (5.1) kg/m(2). In adjusted analyses, none of the individual perceived health (PASQ) scores, but age, BMI and IGF-1 at baseline were predictive for an IGF-1 decrease after 1 year of pegvisomant therapy and BMI and IGF-1, but equally none of the PASQ items, were predicting IGF-1 normalisation. CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI and baseline IGF-1 but not subjective perceived health measures predict therapy response under second line medical therapy with pegvisomant.

Treatment of Primary Hypophysitis in Germany.

CONTEXT: The best treatment of primary hypophysitis (PrHy) is a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE: Our main objective was to analyze the treatment practice for PrHy in Germany and to compare the outcome of the main treatment options. DESIGN: The Pituitary Working Group of the German Society of Endocrinology conducted a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. PATIENTS: Seventy-six patients with PrHy were eligible for the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and endocrinological outcomes, side effects and complications of therapy, initial response, and recurrence rates were assessed. Outcome depending on the treatment modality was evaluated. RESULTS: For mere observation, regression of space-occupying lesions was observed in 46%, unchanged size in 27%, and progression reported in 27%. Pituitary function improved in 27% of patients during observation. Deterioration of pituitary function was only found in patients with progressive lesions. The initial response to glucocorticoid pulse therapy was most favorable, with early failure in only 3%. However, the overall failure and recurrence rate was 41%. Recurrence rate was not related to duration of steroid administration. Side effects of steroids occurred in 63%. The surgical approach was transsphenoidal in 94%. The histological subtype was lymphocytic hypophysitis in 70% and granulomatous hypophysitis in 30%. Progression or recurrence was observed in 25% after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoid pulse therapy is associated with a high recurrence rate. Evidence suggests that surgery is not able to prevent recurrence. Considering the favorable results of observation, conservative management is recommended in PrHy unless symptoms are severe or progressive.

Frequency of AIP gene mutations in young patients with acromegaly: a registry-based study.

CONTEXT: Familial and sporadic GH-secreting pituitary adenomas are associated with mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene. Patients with an AIP mutation (AIPmut) tend to have more aggressive tumors occurring at a younger age. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the frequency of AIPmut in patients diagnosed at 30 years of age or younger. DESIGN: The German Acromegaly Registry database (1795 patients in 58 centers) was screened for patients diagnosed with acromegaly at 30 years of age or younger (329 patients). Sixteen centers participated and 91 patients consented to AIPmut analysis. INTERVENTION: DNA was analyzed by direct sequencing and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification Main outcome Measures: The number of patients with AIPmut was measured. RESULTS: Five patients had either a mutation (c.490C>T, c.844C>T, and c.911G>A, three males) or gross deletions of exons 1 and 2 of the AIP gene (n = 2, one female). The overall frequency of an AIPmut was 5.5%, and 2.3% or 2.4% in patients with an apparently sporadic adenoma or macroadenoma, respectively. By contrast, three of four patients (75%) with a positive family history were tested positive for an AIPmut. Except for a positive family history, there were no significant differences between patients with and without an AIPmut. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of AIPmut in this registry-based cohort of young patients with acromegaly is lower than previously reported. Patients with a positive family history should be tested for an AIPmut, whereas young patients without an apparent family history should be screened, depending on the individual cost to benefit ratio.

Therapy of acromegalic patients exacerbated by concomitant type 2 diabetes requires higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1 levels.

OBJECTIVE: Acromegaly is associated with an increased prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders. Clinically confirmed diabetes mellitus is observed in approximately one quarter of all patients with acromegaly and is known to have a worse prognosis in these patients. DESIGN: Of 514 acromegalic patients treated with pegvisomant and recorded in the German Cohort of ACROSTUDY, 147 had concomitant diabetes mellitus. We analysed these patients in an observational study and compared patients with and without concomitant diabetes. RESULTS: Under treatment with pegvisomant, patients with diabetes mellitus rarely achieved normalisation (64% in the diabetic cohort vs 75% in the non-diabetic cohort, P=0.04) for IGF1. Diabetic patients normalised for IGF1 required higher pegvisomant doses (18.9 vs 15.5 mg pegvisomant/day, P<0.01). Furthermore, those diabetic patients requiring insulin therapy showed a tendency towards requiring even higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1 values than diabetic patients receiving only oral treatment (22.8 vs 17.2 mg pegvisomant/day, P=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Hence, notable interdependences between the acromegaly, the glucose metabolism of predisposed patients and their treatment with pegvisomant were observed. Our data support recent findings suggesting that intra-portal insulin levels determine the GH receptor expression in the liver underlined by the fact that patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus, in particular those receiving insulin therapy, require higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1. It is therefore important to analyse various therapy modalities to find out whether they influence the associated diabetes mellitus and/or whether the presence of diabetes mellitus influences the treatment results of an acromegaly therapy.