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Martijn J J Finken Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Aleid J G Wirix Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Ines A von Rosenstiel-Jadoul Department of Pediatrics, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands

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Bibian van der Voorn Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Mai J M Chinapaw Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Michaela F Hartmann Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

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Joana E Kist-van Holthe Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Stefan A Wudy Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

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Joost Rotteveel Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Objective

Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis activity. We tested the hypothesis that multiple alterations in the metabolism of glucocorticoids are required for the development of hypertension in children who become overweight.

Methods

Spot urine for targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry steroid metabolome analysis was collected from (1) overweight/hypertensive children (n  = 38), (2) overweight/non-hypertensive children (n  = 83), and (3) non-overweight/non-hypertensive children (n  = 56).

Results

The mean (± s.d.) age of participants was 10.4 ± 3.4 years, and 53% of them were male. Group 1 and group 2 had higher excretion rates of cortisol and corticosterone metabolites than group 3 (869 (interquartile range: 631–1352) vs 839 (609–1123) vs 608 (439–834) μg/mmol creatinine × m2 body surface area, P < 0.01, for the sum of cortisol metabolites), and group 1 had a higher excretion rate of naive cortisol than group 3. Furthermore, groups differed in cortisol metabolism, in particular in the activities of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, as assessed from the ratio of cortisol:cortisone metabolites (group 2 < group 3), 5α-reductase (group 1 > group 2 or 3), and CYP3A4 activity (group 1 < group 2 or 3).

Discussion

The sequence of events leading to obesity-associated hypertension in children may involve an increase in the production of glucocorticoids, downregulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity, and upregulation of 5α-reductase activity, along with a decrease in CYP3A4 activity and an increase in bioavailable cortisol.

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Brijesh Krishnappa Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Ravikumar Shah Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Saba Samad Memon Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Chakra Diwaker Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Anurag R Lila Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Virendra A Patil Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Nalini S Shah Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Tushar R Bandgar Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Objectives

High-dose glucocorticoids are associated with improved recovery of deficits in primary autoimmune hypophysitis (PAH), but optimal dosing, route, and duration are unclear.

Design

We reviewed literature for first-line glucocorticoid treatment in PAH until December 2021 and performed an individual patient data meta-analysis to analyze clinical, hormonal, and radiological outcomes with respect to route, dose, and duration (<6.5 vs 6.5–12 vs >12 weeks) of glucocorticoid treatment according to disease severity.

Results

A total of 153 PAH patients from 83 publications were included. The median age at presentation was 41 (32.5–48) years with a female preponderance (70.3%). Visual field recovery was significantly better with i.v. (91.7%) as compared to oral (54.5%) route and high dose (100%) and very high dose (90.9%) as compared to medium dose (20%) of glucocorticoids. Corticotroph axis recovery was greater in i.v. (54.8% vs 28.1% oral, P = 0.033) route and increasing glucocorticoid dose group (0% vs 38.1% vs 57.1%), attaining statistical significance (P = 0.012) with very high-dose. A longer duration of treatment (>6.5 weeks) was associated with better corticotroph and thyrotroph recovery. The need for rescue therapy was lower with i.v. route (38% vs 17.5%, P = 0.012) and with increasing glucocorticoid doses (53.3% vs 34.3% vs 17.3%, P = 0.016). In severe disease, visual field and corticotroph axis recovery were significantly higher with i.v. route and very high-dose steroids. The adverse effects of glucocorticoids were independent of dose and duration of treatment.

Conclusions

Very high-dose glucocorticoids by i.v. route and cumulative longer duration (>6.5 weeks) lead to better outcomes and could be considered as first-line treatment of severe PAH cases.

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Sirazum Choudhury Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, London, UK
Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Tricia Tan Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, London, UK
Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Katharine Lazarus Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, London, UK
Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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Karim Meeran Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, London, UK
Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

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The introduction of adrenocortical extract in 1930 improved the life expectancy of hyhpoadrenal patients, with further increases seen after the introduction of cortisone acetate from 1948. Most patients are now treated with synthetic hydrocortisone, and incremental advances have been made with optimisation of daily dosing and the introduction of multidose regimens. There remains a significant mortality gap between individuals with treated hypoadrenalism and the general population. It is unclear whether this gap is a result of glucocorticoid over-replacement, under-replacement or loss of the circadian and ultradian rhythm of cortisol secretion, with the risk of detrimental excess glucocorticoid exposure at later times in the day. The way forwards will involve replacement of the diurnal cortisol rhythm with better glucocorticoid replacement regimens. The steroid profile produced by both prednisolone and dual-release hydrocortisone (Plenadren), provide a smoother glucocorticoid profile of cortisol than standard oral multidose regimens of hydrocortisone and cortisone acetate. The individualisation of prednisolone doses and lower bioavailability of Plenadren offer reductions in total steroid exposure. Although there is emerging evidence of both treatments offering better cardiometabolic outcomes than standard glucocorticoid replacement regimens, there is a paucity of evidence involving very low dose prednisolone (2–4 mg daily) compared to the larger doses (~7.5 mg) historically used. Data from upcoming clinical studies on prednisolone will therefore be of key importance in informing future practice.

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Deirdre Green Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin

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Rosemary Dineen Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin

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Michael W O’Reilly Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin

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Mark Sherlock Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin

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Despite the availability of adrenal hormone replacement therapy, patients with adrenal insufficiency can be affected by reduced fertility and parity. Patients with well-managed adrenal insufficiency are expected to have uneventful pregnancies and favourable outcomes, but an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications has been reported in some cases. Many physiological changes occur to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis during pregnancy, often making a new diagnosis and management of adrenal insufficiency challenging. The management of adrenal insufficiency also needs to reflect the physiologic changes of pregnancy, often requiring increased doses of glucocorticoid as pregnancy progresses and in some circumstances mineralocorticoid replacement (in primary adrenal insufficiency patients only), especially in the third trimester. To date, there are no prospective data guiding management of adrenal insufficiency in pregnancy. In this review, we focus on the impact of adrenal insufficiency on fertility and parity based on the aetiology of adrenal insufficiency and provide a practical approach to the management of patients with adrenal insufficiency before and during pregnancy.

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Margret J Einarsdottir Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Penelope Trimpou Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Gudmundur Johannsson Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Oskar Ragnarsson Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Objective

It is unknown whether glucocorticoid (GC)-induced adrenal insufficiency may cause premature mortality in GC users. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate if undiagnosed and undertreated GC-induced adrenal insufficiency is a contributor to premature death in GC users.

Methods

Information on dispensed prescriptions in West Sweden from 2007 to 2014 was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Cause of death was collected from the Swedish Cause of Death Register. Of 223,211 patients who received oral GC prescriptions, 665 died from sepsis within 6 months of their last prescription. Three hundred of these patients who had died in hospital were randomly selected for further investigation. Medical records were initially reviewed by one investigator. Furthermore, two additional investigators reviewed the medical records of patients whose deaths were suspected to be caused by GC-induced adrenal insufficiency.

Results

Of 300 patients (121 females, 40%), 212 (75%) were prescribed GC treatment at admission. The mean age was 76 ± 11 years (range 30–99). Undiagnosed or undertreated GC-induced adrenal insufficiency was considered a probable contributor to death by at least two investigators in 11 (3.7%) patients. In five of these 11 cases, long-term GC therapy was abruptly discontinued during hospitalization. Undiagnosed or undertreated GC-induced adrenal insufficiency was considered a possible contributing factor to death in a further 36 (12%) patients.

Conclusion

GC-induced adrenal insufficiency is an important contributor to premature death in GC users. Awareness of the disorder during intercurrent illness and following cessation of GC treatment is essential.

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Boni Xiang Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Ran Tao Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Xinhua Liu Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Xiaoming Zhu Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Min He Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Zengyi Ma Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Yehong Yang Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Zhaoyun Zhang Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Yiming Li Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Zhenwei Yao Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Yongfei Wang Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Hongying Ye Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid functions in Cushing’s syndrome (CS), the dynamic changes of thyroid hormones and antithyroid antibodies in Cushing’s disease (CD) pre- and postoperatively.

Design and methods

This is a retrospective study enrolling 118 patients with CS (102 CD, 10 adrenal CS and 6 ectopic adrenocorticotropic syndrome (EAS)). Thyroid functions (thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH), T3, free T3 (FT3), T4 and free T4 (FT4)) were measured in all CS at the time of diagnosis and in all CD 3 months after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. Postoperative hormone monitoring within 3 months was conducted in 9 CD patients completing remission. Twenty-eight remitted CD patients experienced hormone and antithyroid antibody evaluation preoperatively and on the 3rd, 6th and 12th month after surgery.

Results

TSH, T3 and FT3 were below the reference range in 31%, 69% and 44% of the 118 CS patients. Remitted CD patients (81/102) had significantly higher TSH (P = 0.000), T3 (P = 0.000) and FT3 (P = 0.000) than those in the non-remission group (21/102). After remission of CD, TSH, T3 and FT3 showed a significant increase, with a few cases above the reference range. By 12 months, most CD patients’ thyroid functions returned to normal. Thyroid hormones (including TSH, T3 and FT3) were negatively associated with serum cortisol levels both before and after surgery. No significant changes of antithyroid autoantibodies were observed.

Conclusions

TSH, T3 and FT3 are suppressed in endogenous hypercortisolemia. After remission of CD, TSH, T3 and FT3 increased significantly, even above the reference range, but returned to normal 1 year after surgery in most cases. Antithyroid antibodies did not change significantly after remission of CD.

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Fiona Broughton Pipkin Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Hiten D Mistry Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Chandrima Roy Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Bernhard Dick Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Jason Waugh Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Rebecca Chikhi Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Lesia O Kurlak Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Markus G Mohaupt Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Nephrology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

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Pre-eclampsia leads to disturbed fetal organ development, including metabolic syndrome, attributed to altered pituitary-adrenal feedback loop. We measured cortisol metabolites in infants born from pre-eclamptic and normotensive women and hypothesised that glucocorticoid exposure would be exaggerated in the former. Twenty-four hour urine was collected from infants at months 3 and 12. Cortisol metabolites and apparent enzyme activities were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. From 3 to 12 months, excretion of THS, THF and pregnandiol had risen in both groups; THF also rose in the pre-eclamptic group. No difference was observed with respect to timing of the visit or to hypertensive status for THE or total F metabolites (P>0.05). All apparent enzymes activities, except 17α-hydroxylase, were lower in infants at 12 compared to 3 months in the normotensive group. In the pre-eclamptic group, only 11β-HSD activities were lower at 12 months.17α-hydroxylase and 11β-HSD activities of tetrahydro metabolites were higher in the pre-eclamptic group at 3 months (P<0.05). 11β-hydroxylase activity increased in the pre-eclamptic group at 12 months. Cortisol excretion, determined by increased 11β-hydroxylase, compensates for high 11β-HSD-dependent cortisol degradation at 3 months and at 12 months counterbalances the reduced cortisol substrate availability in infants born from pre-eclamptic mothers.

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Yiyan Wang Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yaoyao Dong Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yinghui Fang Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Yao Lv Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Qiqi Zhu Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Xiaoheng Li Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Qingquan Lian Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Ren-Shan Ge Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

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Glucocorticoid hormone might cause intrauterine growth restriction. The glucocorticoid-metabolizing enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD11B2) in the placenta eliminates excess levels of glucocorticoids during pregnancy. The aim of the current study was to define the effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES) on HSD11B2 activity in the mammalian placentas and identify its mode of action. Rat and human placental microsomal HSD11B2 were incubated with different concentrations of DES, and IC50 values were determined. The mode of action was analyzed by incubation of DES together with substrates, glucocorticoid and NAD+. DES suppressed rat and human HSD11B2 with IC50 values of 5.33 and 12.62 μM, respectively. DES was a competitive inhibitor of rat and human HSD11B2 when steroid substrates were added, while it was an uncompetitive inhibitor when cofactor NAD+ was exposed. Oral administration of DES (0.5 mg/kg) to the rat delayed the cortisol metabolism in adult female Sprague–Dawley rats, as indicated by the increases in cortisol’s elimination half-life, maximum concentration and area under the curve. In conclusion, DES is a potent HSD11B2 inhibitor, possibly contributing to the intrauterine growth restriction.

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Clara Lundetoft Clausen Center of Research & Disruption of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark

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Trine Holm Johannsen Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Niels Erik Skakkebæk Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Hanne Frederiksen Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Anders Juul Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Thomas Benfield Center of Research & Disruption of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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In the context of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness, we examined endogenous glucocorticoid concentrations, steroidogenic enzyme activity, and their correlation with inflammation and patient outcomes. This observational study included 125 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 101 healthy individuals as a reference group. We utilized LC-MS to assess serum concentrations of 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, and cortisone, as well as activities of steroidogenic enzymes (11β-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and competing risk analysis were employed to analyze associations between glucocorticoid concentrations and outcomes, adjusting for relevant factors. In patients with COVID-19, cortisol concentrations were higher and cortisone concentrations were lower compared to the reference group, while 11-deoxycortisol concentrations were similar. Steroidogenic enzyme activity favored cortisol production. Correlations between glucocorticoid concentrations and inflammatory markers were low. A doubling in concentrations cortisol, was associated with increased 90-day mortality and mechanical ventilation (HR: 2.40 95% CI: (1.03–5.59) , P = 0.042 and HR: 3.83 (1.19–12.31), P = 0.024). A doubling in concentrations of 11-deoxycortisol was also associated to mortality (HR: 1.32 (1.05–1.67), P = 0.018), whereas concentrations of cortisone were associated with mechanical ventilation (HR: 5.09 (1.49–17.40), P = 0.009). In conclusion, serum concentrations of glucocorticoid metabolites were altered in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, and steroidogenic enzyme activity resulting in the conversion of cortisone to biologically active cortisol was preserved, thus not favoring critical-illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency at the enzymatic level. Glucocorticoid release did not counterbalance the hyperinflammatory state in patients with severe COVID-19. High serum concentrations of 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol were associated with 90-day mortality, and high serum concentrations of cortisol and cortisone were associated with mechanical ventilation.

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M Cherenko Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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N M Appelman-Dijkstra Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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A L Priego Zurita Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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N R Biermasz Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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O M Dekkers Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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F A Klok Department of Medicine, Division of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

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N Reisch Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany

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A Aulinas Department of Endocrinology, Fundacio de Gestio Sanitaria Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IR-SantPau and CIBERER Unit 747 (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain

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B Biagetti Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain

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S Cannavo Endocrine Unit, University Hospital AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Messina, Italy

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L Canu University Hospital Florence Careggi, Florence, Italy

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M Detomas Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany

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F Devuyst Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium

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H Falhammar Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital and Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

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R A Feelders Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands

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F Ferrau Endocrine Unit, University Hospital AOU Policlinico G. Martino, Messina, Italy

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F Gatto IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Genoa, Italy

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C Grasselli Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy

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P van Houten Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands

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C Hoybye Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital and Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

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A M Isidori Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

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A Kyrilli Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium

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P Loli Division of Endocrinology, San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Milan, Italy

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D Maiter Department of Endocrinology, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc – UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium

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E Nowak Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany

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R Pivonello Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università “Federico II” di Napoli, Naples, Italy

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O Ragnarsson Sahlgrenska Academy, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Medicine (O.R.), University of Gothenburg, Sweden

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R V Steenaard Department of Internal Medicine, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, Netherlands

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N Unger University Hospital Essen, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Essen, Germany

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A van de Ven Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands

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S M Webb Department of Endocrinology, Fundacio de Gestio Sanitaria Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IR-SantPau and CIBERER Unit 747 (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain

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D Yeste Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. CIBER Enfermedades Raras, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

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S F Ahmed Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
University of Glasgow, Office for Rare Conditions, Glasgow, UK
University of Glasgow, Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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A M Pereira Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

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Background

Patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objective

The aim was to evaluate the current management of new cases of CS with a focus on VTE and thromboprophylaxis.

Design and methods

A survey was conducted within those that report in the electronic reporting tool (e-REC) of the European Registries for Rare Endocrine Conditions (EuRRECa) and the involved main thematic groups (MTG’s) of the European Reference Networks for Rare Endocrine Disorders (Endo-ERN) on new patients with CS from January 2021 to July 2022.

Results

Of 222 patients (mean age 44 years, 165 females), 141 patients had Cushing disease (64%), 69 adrenal CS (31%), and 12 patients with ectopic CS (5.4%). The mean follow-up period post-CS diagnosis was 15 months (range 3–30). Cortisol-lowering medications were initiated in 38% of patients. One hundred fifty-four patients (69%) received thromboprophylaxis (including patients on chronic anticoagulant treatment), of which low-molecular-weight heparins were used in 96% of cases. VTE was reported in six patients (2.7%), of which one was fatal: two long before CS diagnosis, two between diagnosis and surgery, and two postoperatively. Three patients were using thromboprophylaxis at time of the VTE diagnosis. The incidence rate of VTE in patients after Cushing syndrome diagnosis in our study cohort was 14.6 (95% CI 5.5; 38.6) per 1000 person-years.

Conclusion

Thirty percent of patients with CS did not receive preoperative thromboprophylaxis during their active disease stage, and half of the VTE cases even occurred during this stage despite thromboprophylaxis. Prospective trials to establish the optimal thromboprophylaxis strategy in CS patients are highly needed.

Significance statement

The incidence rate of venous thromboembolism in our study cohort was 14.6 (95% CI 5.5; 38.6) per 1000 person-years. Notably, this survey showed that there is great heterogeneity regarding time of initiation and duration of thromboprophylaxis in expert centers throughout Europe.

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