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Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France
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Objective
The European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN), operational since 2017, consists of 71 health care providers (HCPs) in 19 EU member states. Our objective was to assess education and knowledge on rare endocrine conditions.
Design and methods
A survey was developed and sent through the DIGIT-EUROSURVEY system to all Endo-ERN HCPs.
Results
Response rate was 55% (n = 146), 95% physicians, 58% >20 years of experience, 96% academics. Largest knowledge gaps were reported for the transition and neonatal ages, and for the GPs. Less than 50% of HCPs had structured educational rare diseases (RD) plans, while 86% used RD specific guidelines. HCPs would share educational materials within Endo-ERN (74%), and participate in an accreditation model (85%). E-learning portals of the endocrine scientific societies used 58% (ESPE) and 64% (ESE). Most participants (90%) regarded Endo-ERN coordinated educational activities (annual meetings slots, webinars, etc.) as highly important and supported a common educational platform. Social media was perceived as important for educating patients (86%) but not for physicians (36%). Seventy-five % had developed patient education materials; only 31% had specific children’s materials, and by-country availability varied from 0 to 100%. Respondents provided newly diagnosed patients with their own material in the national language (81%); referred to advocacy groups (68%), and relevant online sources (50%). Respondents believed the European Commission should fund education through Endo-ERN.
Conclusion
Identified knowledge gaps in rare endocrine disorders set the basis for fast catch-up through collaboration, alignment with patients’ needs, and further development of existing and newly developed educational resources.
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The current study aims to assess the development of the knowledge generation program of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN) from its start in 2019 until December 2021, with special reference to webinars. We analyzed the number of webinars and live/postevent participants and whether participation and engagement of the attendees changed over time. A total of 30 (86%) self-prepared webinars comprising 300 h of knowledge and competence sharing were broadcasted (2019 – 3; 2020 – 13; 2021 – 14). A total of six webinars were broadcasted live prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (https://endo-ern.eu/events/webinars/). The most active main thematic group (MTG) was MTG3 Genetic Disorders of Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis with eight (27%) webinars. Two (25%) MTGs fulfilled the goal to prepare at least two to three webinars per year. Patients were actively involved in 20% of the accounted webinars as both creators and presenters. The total number of live and postevent participants was 3023. The availability of the webinars after the live broadcast increased their outreach with a larger number of postevent viewers (n = 1629, 54%). Within the formal structured evaluation of the webinars, 40–85% of the participants replied on separate occasions and helped improve content. The free webinar access is among the perceived reasons for the rapidly increasing number of total hits to the Endo-ERN website. In conclusion, for its short existence, the Endo-ERN rapidly developed educational outreach, and further efforts to attract creators and learners are warranted.
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Università “Federico II” di Napoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Naples, Italy
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Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Adult Chair of MTG Pituitary of Endo-ERN
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Rare endocrine conditions present specific diagnostic and management challenges for healthcare providers, one of which is the understudied transition of care. Despite the need for guidance regarding transition, consensus on structured and protocolled approaches is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to map the current clinical practice and identify unmet needs regarding transition of care for patients with pituitary disease in the reference centers (RCs) of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN). A survey-based, cross-sectional study using the EU Survey tool was performed and completed by 46 physicians (n) from 30 RCs (N). Transition is a common practice among RCs (n = 44/46), usually accomplished by a multidisciplinary team meeting (N = 20/30). Criteria for start and end of transition were defined in half of the RCs, with 16.7% of centers providing dissimilar answers. Transition readiness was assessed by >75% of the RCs, mostly by unvalidated means (e.g. subjective opinions, informal consultations). Pituitary-specific transition assessment tool was applied in one RC only. Transition protocols were present in only 9% of RCs, while in many RCs, transition decisions were taken in combined adult-pediatric meetings or based on clinicians’ personal judgment. A minority of physicians evaluated the effectiveness of transition-related interventions (n = 11/46) or medical outcomes (n = 8/46). Patient-reported outcome measures were infrequently used (n = 4/46). Identified unmet needs included the development of guidelines (n = 5/46) and EU-wide approach (n = 2/46). This study exemplifies the unmet needs for a structural definition of the transition period and transition management for patients with rare hypothalamic and pituitary conditions from healthcare providers’ perspective.
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Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan Italy
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Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Background
Information on clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection in patients with adrenal disorders is scarce.
Methods
A collaboration between the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) Rare Disease Committee and European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions via the European Registries for Rare Endocrine Conditions allowed the collection of data on 64 cases (57 adrenal insufficiency (AI), 7 Cushing’s syndrome) that had been reported by 12 centres in 8 European countries between January 2020 and December 2021.
Results
Of all 64 patients, 23 were males and 41 females (13 of those children) with a median age of 37 and 51 years. In 45/57 (95%) AI cases, COVID-19 infection was confirmed by testing. Primary insufficiency was present in 45/57 patients; 19 were affected by Addison’s disease, 19 by congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 7 by primary AI (PAI) due to other causes. The most relevant comorbidities were hypertension (12%), obesity (n = 14%) and diabetes mellitus (9%). An increase by a median of 2.0 (IQR 1.4) times the daily replacement dose was reported in 42 (74%) patients. Two patients were administered i.m. injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone, and 11/64 were admitted to the hospital. Two patients had to be transferred to the intensive care unit, one with a fatal outcome. Four patients reported persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, all others complete remission.
Conclusion
This European multicentre questionnaire is the first to collect data on the outcome of COVID-19 infection in patients with adrenal gland disorders. It suggests good clinical outcomes in case of duly dose adjustments and emphasizes the importance of patient education on sick day rules.
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Department of Neurosurgery, University Neurosurgical Centre Holland (UNCH), Leiden University Medical Centre, Haaglanden Medical Centre and Haga Teaching Hospitals, Leiden and The Hague, The Netherlands
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Objective
The European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN) aims to organize high-quality healthcare throughout Europe, including care for pituitary adenoma patients. As surgery is the mainstay of treatment, we aimed to describe the current surgical practice and published surgical outcomes of pituitary adenoma within Endo-ERN.
Design and Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting surgical outcomes of pituitary adenoma patients within Endo-ERN MTG6 pituitary reference centers between 2010 and 2019. A survey was completed by reference centers on their current surgical practice.
Results
A total of 18 out of 43 (42%) reference centers located in 7 of the 20 (35%) MTG6-represented countries published 48 articles. Remission rates were 50% (95% CI: 42–59) for patients with acromegaly, 68% (95% CI: 60–75) for Cushing’s disease, and 53% (95% CI: 39–66%) for prolactinoma. Gross total resection was achieved in 49% (95% CI: 37–61%) of patients and visual improvement in 78% (95% CI: 68–87). Mortality, hemorrhage, and carotid injury occurred in less than 1% of patients. New-onset hypopituitarism occurred in 16% (95% CI: 11–23), transient diabetes insipidus in 12% (95% CI: 6–21), permanent diabetes insipidus in 4% (95% CI: 3–6), syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in 9% (95% CI: 5–14), severe epistaxis in 2% (95% CI: 0–4), and cerebrospinal fluid leak in 4% (95% CI: 2–6). Thirty-five (81%) centers completed the survey: 54% were operated endoscopically and 57% were together with an ENT surgeon.
Conclusion
The results of this study could be used as a first benchmark for the outcomes of pituitary adenoma surgery within Endo-ERN. However, the heterogeneity between studies in the reporting of outcomes hampers comparability and warrants outcome collection through registries.
