Long-term clinical sequelae and socio-professional performance in craniopharyngioma patients.

BACKGROUND: Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare tumor, leading to several post-treatment sequelae which may have significant clinical and social implications, including impaired academic performance or employability. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving CP patients followed at our center between 1986 and 2020. Data on demographics, clinical, imaging, and treatment characteristics were collected from the clinical records. RESULTS: There were 33 patients (current mean age of 49.8±18.7 years), being 22 diagnosed in adulthood. The average follow-up duration was 16.03±9.3 years. Twelve patients were treated with surgery alone, while 21 underwent surgery and radiotherapy. Pituitary and hypothalamic deficits were more frequent in treated with surgery, whereas visual defects and metabolic diseases were more frequent in treated with surgery and radiotherapy. There were no differences between age of onset groups and type of sequelae. After diagnosis, nine patients concluded their academic training. In childhood-onset group, after diagnosis, one patient was retired, three continue studying and the others concluded schooling. In the other group, six patients were retired and two concluded schooling. There was no association between academic performance or employability and the type of treatment. CP patients academic performance was not worse comparing with general Portuguese population. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term sequelae may not be related with the age of CP onset, but may vary according to the type of treatment. There was a wide variety of clinical sequelae with extended follow-up, however academic performance and employability seemed not affected. CP diagnosis in an early period of life may not compromise the academic success of patients.

Primary and Secondary Hypogonadism in Male Persons with Diabetes Mellitus.

AIMS: To characterize hypogonadism in male persons with diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods. 184 consecutive male persons with diabetes were studied. Besides the usual care, total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), FSH, and LH were measured in the last appointment and in 40 patients, also in the next two appointments. Statistical analysis compared groups and explored factors for TT and LH levels. RESULTS: TT levels were stable and highly correlated (r > 0.750, p < 0.001) over a 6-12-month period. 20% of the patients presented secondary hypogonadism (SH) and 18% presented primary hypogonadism (PH). SH was inversely related to HbA1 (partial r (rp) = 0.229, p < 0.005), while PH was directly related to age (r = 0.356, p < 0.001). TT levels were reduced independently by metformin (364 ± 160 vs. 431 ± 242 ng/dL, t = 2.241, p < 0.05) and statins (359 ± 156 vs. 424 ± 230 ng/dl, t = 2.224, p < 0.05). TT levels were inversely related to microvascular disease (rp = -0.169, p < 0.05). Discussion. TT levels were stable over time and hypogonadism was common. SH, generally clinically, is related to the diabetic state, while PH, generally subclinically, is an age-dependent process unrelated to diabetes. Low TT levels were related to older age, poor metabolic control, metformin and statins use, and microvascular disease.