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Paolo G Arduino Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Dora Karimi Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Federico Tirone Private Practice, Cuneo, Italy

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Veronica Sciannameo Unit of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service ASL TO3, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

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Fulvio Ricceri Unit of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service ASL TO3, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

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Marco Cabras Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Alessio Gambino Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Davide Conrotto Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Stefano Salzano Private Practice, Cuneo, Italy

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Mario Carbone Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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Roberto Broccoletti Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR-Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

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The association between oral lichen planus (OLP) and hypothyroidism has been debated with conflicting results: some authors detected a statistically significant association between these two, while others did not confirm it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thyroid status in patients with newly diagnosed OLP to test the null hypothesis that thyroid disease is not associated with an increased incidence of oral lesions, with a prospective case-control approach. A total of 549 patients have been evaluated, of whom 355 were female. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained. Patients suffering from thyroid diseases were associated with an almost 3-fold increased odds of having OLP (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.65–4.94), after adjusting this analysis for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension and hepatitis C infection. It would be appropriate to further investigate the possible concomitance of OLP among patients with thyroid disorder; endocrinologists should be aware of this association, especially because OLP is considered a potentially malignant oral disorder.

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Ramjan Sanas Mohamed Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Biyaser Abuelgasim Imperial College School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Sally Barker Imperial College School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Hemanth Prabhudev Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Niamh M Martin Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Karim Meeran Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Emma L Williams Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Sarah Darch Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Whitlock Matthew Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Tricia Tan Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Florian Wernig Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) poses considerable diagnostic challenges. Although late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) is recommended as a first-line screening investigation, it remains the least widely used test in many countries. The combined measurement of LNSC and late-night salivary cortisone (LNS cortisone) has shown to further improve diagnostic accuracy. We present a retrospective study in a tertiary referral centre comparing LNSC, LNS cortisone, overnight dexamethasone suppression test, low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and 24-h urinary free cortisol results of patients investigated for CS. Patients were categorised into those who had CS (21 patients) and those who did not (33 patients). LNSC had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 91%. LNS cortisone had a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 86%. With an optimal cut-off for LNS cortisone of >14.5 nmol/L the sensitivity was 95.2%, and the specificity was 100% with an area under the curve of 0.997, for diagnosing CS. Saliva collection is non-invasive and can be carried out at home. We therefore advocate simultaneous measurement of LNSC and LNS cortisone as the first-line screening test to evaluate patients with suspected CS.

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Jelena Stankovic Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

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Kurt Kristensen Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (SDCA), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

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Niels Birkebæk Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

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Jens Otto Lunde Jørgensen Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

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Esben Søndergaard Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (SDCA), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

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Background

The diagnosis of the polyuria–polydipsia syndrome is challenging. Copeptin is a robust biomarker of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. Arginine, which stimulates growth hormone (GH), has been shown also to stimulate copeptin secretion via unknown mechanisms.

Aim

The aim was to investigate copeptin levels in response to three different GH stimulation tests in patients suspected of GH deficiency.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we measured plasma copeptin levels at baseline and at 60, 105, and 150 min in patients undergoing a stimulation test for growth hormone deficiency with either arginine (n = 16), clonidine (n = 8) or the insulin tolerance test (ITT) (n = 10).

Results

In patients undergoing the arginine test, the mean age was 9 years, and 10 years for clonidine. The ITT was only performed in adult patients (>18 years) with a mean age of 49 years. Copeptin level increased significantly from baseline to 60 min after arginine (P <0.01) and ITT (P < 0.01). By contrast, copeptin level tended to decrease after clonidine stimulation (P = 0.14).

Conclusion

These data support that infusion of arginine increases plasma copeptin levels and reveal a comparable response after an ITT. We hypothesize that the underlying mechanism is abrogation of somatostatin-induced AVP suppression.

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Dongyan Han Department of Pathology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Min Ding Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Rongli Xie Department of General Surgery, RuiJin Hospital Lu Wan Branch, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Zhengshi Wang Thyroid Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Center of Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Guohui Xiao Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Xiaohong Wang Shanghai Rigen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Shanghai, China

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Lei Dong Department of Pathology, Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Zhiqiang Yin Thyroid Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Center of Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

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Jian Fei Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

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Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) remains indeterminate in 16–24% of the cases. Molecular testing could improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB. This study examined the gene mutation profile of patients with thyroid nodules and analyzed the diagnostic ability of molecular testing for thyroid nodules using a self-developed 18-gene test. Between January 2019 and August 2021, 513 samples (414 FNABs and 99 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens) underwent molecular testing at Ruijin Hospital. Sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. There were 457 mutations in 428 samples. The rates of BRAF, RAS, TERT promoter, RET/PTC, and NTRK3 fusion mutations were 73.3% (n = 335), 9.6% (n = 44), 2.8% (n = 13), 4.8% (n = 22), and 0.4% (n = 2), respectively. The diagnostic ability of cytology and molecular testing were evaluated in Bethesda II and V–VI samples. For cytology alone, Sen, Spe, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 100%, 25.0%, 97.4%, 100%, and 97.4%; these numbers were 87.5%, 50.0%, 98.0%, 12.5%, and 86.2% when considering positive mutation, and 87.5%, 75.0%, 99.0%, 17.6%, and 87.1% when considering positive cytology or and positive mutation. In Bethesda III–IV nodules, when relying solely on the presence of pathogenic mutations for diagnosis, Sen, Spe, PPV, NPV, and AC were 76.2%, 66.7%, 94.1%, 26.8%, and 75.0%, respectively. It might be necessary to analyze the molecular mechanisms of disease development at the genetic level to predict patients with malignant nodules more accurately in different risk strata and develop rational treatment strategies and definite management plans.

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Laura Chioma Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

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Carla Bizzarri Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

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Martina Verzani Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

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Daniela Fava Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

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Mariacarolina Salerno Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Donatella Capalbo Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Mother and Child, University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy

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Chiara Guzzetti Paediatric Endocrine Unit, Paediatric Hospital Microcitemico ‘A. Cao’, AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy

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Laura Penta Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

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Luigi Di Luigi Endocrinology Unit, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome ‘Foro Italico’, Rome, Italy

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Natascia di Iorgi Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

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Mohamad Maghnie Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

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Sandro Loche Paediatric Endocrine Unit, Paediatric Hospital Microcitemico ‘A. Cao’, AO Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy

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Marco Cappa Endocrinology Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

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Objective

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate children observed for suspected precocious puberty in five Italian centers of Pediatric Endocrinology during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (March–September 2020), compared to subjects observed in the same period of the previous year.

Design

The study population (490 children) was divided according to the year of observation and final diagnosis: transient thelarche, non-progressive precocious puberty, central precocious puberty (CPP), or early puberty.

Results

Between March and September 2020, 338 subjects were referred for suspected precocious puberty, compared to 152 subjects in the same period of 2019 (+122%). The increase was observed in girls (328 subjects in 2020 vs 140 in 2019, P  < 0.05), especially during the second half of the period considered (92 girls from March to May vs 236 girls from June to September); while no difference was observed in boys (10 subjects in 2020 vs 12 in 2019). The percentage of girls with confirmed CPP was higher in 2020, compared to 2019 (135/328 girls (41%) vs 37/140 (26%), P  < 0.01). Anthropometric and hormonal parameters in 2019 and 2020 CPP girls were not different; 2020 CPP girls showed more prolonged use of electronic devices and a more sedentary lifestyle both before and during the pandemic, compared to the rest of the 2020 population.

Conclusions

The present findings corroborate the recently reported association between the complex lifestyle changes related to the lockdown and a higher incidence of CPP in Italian girls.

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Mette Bøgehave Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hospital South West Jutland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
Unit for Thrombosis Research, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

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Dorte Glintborg Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
OPEN, Open Patient data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

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Jørgen Brodersen Gram Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hospital South West Jutland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
Unit for Thrombosis Research, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

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Else-Marie Bladbjerg Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hospital South West Jutland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
Unit for Thrombosis Research, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

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Marianne Skovsager Andersen Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

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Johannes Jakobsen Sidelmann Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hospital South West Jutland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
Unit for Thrombosis Research, Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

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Introduction

Hypogonadism is prevalent during opioid treatment, and low testosterone concentrations are associated with cardiovascular disease. The effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the coagulation system in men with hypogonadism is not clarified. We investigate the effects of TRT on the tissue factor (TF) and contact activation pathways of coagulation in opioid-treated men.

Materials and methods

This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 37 men with total testosterone < 12 nmol/L randomized to 24 weeks of testosterone injections (n = 17) or placebo (n = 20). Variables of the coagulation system were analysed at baseline and after 24 weeks. Measurements included the TF pathway (endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and peak thrombin), the contact activation pathway (endogenous kallikrein potential (EKP) and peak kallikrein), coagulation factors (FVII, FX, prothrombin, and FXII), and inhibitors (tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and C1 esterase inhibitor (C1inh)). Between-group differences at 24 weeks were determined with analysis of covariance. Within-group changes in TRT and placebo were analysed with paired t-test.

Results

Between-group differences at 24 weeks were observed for ETP (P = 0.036), FVII (P = 0.044), FX (P = 0.015), prothrombin (P = 0.003), protein C (P = 0.004), and protein S (P = 0.038). Within the TRT group, ETP, peak thrombin, FVII, FX, prothrombin, TFPI, protein C, FXII, and C1inh decreased and protein S increased (all P < 0.05). Within the placebo group, coagulation outcomes were unchanged.

Conclusion

TRT affects the coagulation system in an anticoagulant direction through suppressed TF pathway in men with opioid-induced hypogonadism.

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Sakina Kherra CHU Parnet Hopital, Algiers, Algeria

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Wendy Forsyth Paterson Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK

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Filiz Mine Cizmecioglu Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

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Jeremy Huw Jones Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Mariam Kourime Abderrahim Harouchi Hôpital, Casablanca, Morocco

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Heba Hassan Elsedfy Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

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Sameh Tawfik Department of Pediatrics, Maadi Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

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Andreas Kyriakou Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Mohamad Guftar Shaikh Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Malcolm David Cairns Donaldson Section of Child Health, Glasgow University School of Medicine, Glasgow, UK

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Background

Hypogonadism is a key feature of Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) but clear strategies for hormone replacement are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the gonadal status and outcome in patients attending a Scottish PWS clinic from 1991 to 2019.

Methods

In 93 (35F:56M) patients, median follow-up 11.2 years, gonadal and pubertal status were assessed clinically. Pelvic ultrasound findings and basal/stimulated gonadotrophins were compared with age-matched controls.

Results

Females:of 22 patients aged > 11, 9 had reached B4–5, while 5 were still at B2–3, and 6 remained prepubertal. Eight patients experienced menarche aged 9.8–21.4 years, none with a normal cycle. Uterine length and ovarian volumes were normal but uterine configuration remained immature, with low follicular counts. Gonadotrophins were unremarkable, serum oestradiol 129 (70–520) pmol/L. Only 5 patients received oestrogen replacement. Males:fifty-four (96%) patients were cryptorchid (9 unilateral). Weekly hCG injections resulted in unilateral/bilateral descent in 2/1 of 25 patients. Of 37 boys aged > 11, 14 (9 with failed/untreated bilateral cryptorchidism) failed to progress beyond G1, 15 arrested at G2–3 (testes 3–10 mL), and 8 reached G4–5. Gonadotrophins were unremarkable except in boys at G2–5 in whom FSH was elevated: 12.3/27.3 vs 3.25/6.26 U/L in controls (P < 0.001). In males aged > 13, testosterone was 3.1 (0.5–8.4) nmol/L. Androgen therapy, given from 13.5 to 29.2 years, was stopped in 4/24 patients owing to behavioural problems.

Conclusion

Despite invariable hypogonadism, few females and only half the males with PWS in this study received hormone replacement. Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trials of sex steroids are required to address unproven behavioural concerns.

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Monica F Stecchini Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Zilda Braid Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Candy B More Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Davi C Aragon Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Margaret Castro Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Ayrton C Moreira Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Sonir R Antonini Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Objective

To investigate the impact of early exposure to androgen excess on gonadotropin-dependent puberty (GDP) and final height (FH) of patients with androgen-secreting adrenocortical tumors (ACT) in childhood.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Occurrence of GDP and achievement of FH were evaluated. Central precocious puberty (CPP) and early fast puberty (EFP) were considered pubertal disorders. Patients with normal puberty and pubertal disorders were compared.

Results

The study included 63 patients (44F), followed in a single institution from 1975 until 2017. At diagnosis of ACT, median age was 25.8 months; duration of signs, 6 months; stature SDS, 0.5 (−3.6 to 3.9) and bone age advancement, 14.7 months (−27.9 to 85.4). To date, 37 patients developed GDP: 26 had normal puberty; one, precocious thelarche; seven, CPP and three, EFP. GnRHa effectively treated CPP/EFP. Tall stature and older age at diagnosis of ACT were associated with risk of CPP alone (RR 4.17 (95% CI 1.17–14.80)) and CPP/EFP (RR 3.0 (95% CI 1.04–8.65)). Recurrence/metastasis during follow-up were associated with risk of CPP alone (RR 4.17 (95% CI 1.17–14.80)) and CPP/EFP (RR 3.0 (95% CI 1.12–8.02)). Among the 19 patients that reached FH, stature SDS dropped from 1.4 to −0.02 since diagnosis of ACT (P = 0.01). Seventeen achieved normal FH. There was no difference in FH SDS between patients with normal puberty and pubertal disorders (P = 0.75).

Conclusions

Gonadotropin-dependent pubertal disorders are common in patients with androgen-secreting ACT in childhood. FH is usually not impaired. The study reinforces the importance of close follow-up after surgery to identify and treat consequences of early exposure to androgen excess.

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Lukas Plachy Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Petra Dusatkova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Klara Maratova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Shenali Anne Amaratunga Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Dana Zemkova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Vit Neuman Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stanislava Kolouskova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Barbora Obermannova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Marta Snajderova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Zdenek Sumnik Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Jan Lebl Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stepanka Pruhova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Because the causes of combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) are complex, the etiology of congenital CPHD remains unknown in most cases. The aim of the study was to identify the genetic etiology of CPHD in a well-defined single-center cohort. In total, 34 children (12 girls) with congenital CPHD (growth hormone (GH) deficiency and impaired secretion of at least one other pituitary hormone) treated with GH in our center were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 11.2 years, pre-treatment height was −3.2 s.d., and maximal stimulated GH was 1.4 ug/L. Of them, 30 had central adrenal insufficiency, 27 had central hypothyroidism, ten had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and three had central diabetes insipidus. Twenty-six children had a midline defect on MRI. Children with clinical suspicion of a specific genetic disorder underwent genetic examination of the gene(s) of interest via Sanger sequencing or array comparative genomic hybridization. Children without a detected causal variant after the first-tier testing or with no suspicion of a specific genetic disorder were subsequently examined using next-generation sequencing growth panel. Variants were evaluated by the American College of Medical Genetics standards. Genetic etiology was confirmed in 7/34 (21%) children. Chromosomal aberrations were found in one child (14q microdeletion involving the OTX2 gene). The remaining 6 children had causative genetic variants in the GLI2, PROP1, POU1F1, TBX3, PMM2, and GNAO1 genes, respectively. We elucidated the cause of CPHD in a fifth of the patients. Moreover, our study supports the PMM2 gene as a candidate gene for CPHD and suggests pathogenic variants in the GNAO1 gene as a potential novel genetic cause of CPHD.

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Bledar Daka Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Thord Rosen Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Per Anders Jansson Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Lennart Råstam Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Charlotte A Larsson Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Ulf Lindblad Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Social Medicine and Global Health, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 454, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Objectives

Obesity is associated with low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). While the reason is not fully understood, we aimed to study the association between serum insulin and levels of SHBG in a random population.

Design and methods

Between 2001 and 2005, a random sample of 2816 participants aged 30–74 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey in the South-west of Sweden. Fasting blood samples were collected and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted in all subjects without known diabetes. Diabetes mellitus was defined according to criteria from WHO, and clinical characteristics were used to discriminate between type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Analyses of SHBG were successful in 2782 participants (98%), who thus constituted the current study population.

Results

We found significant inverse association between levels of SHBG and fasting serum insulin in both genders (men: β=−0.090, P=0.001; women: β=−0.197, P<0.001), which was independent of differences in age and BMI. The associations remained when also differences in fasting plasma glucose were accounted for (men: β=−0.062, P=0.022; women: β=−0.176, P≤0.001). Subjects with T1D exhibited higher levels of SHBG than both T2D (men: δ=15.9 nmol/l, P<0.001; women: δ=71.1 nmol/l, P<0.001) and non-diabetic subjects (men: δ=15.1 nmol/l, P<0.001; women: δ=72.9 nmol/l, P<0.001) independent of age, BMI and fasting glucose levels.

Conclusion

These findings are consistent with high levels of SHBG in T1D, and correspondingly low levels in T2D subjects, suggesting an inhibitory effect of insulin on the SHBG production in the liver.

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