1. Erythropoiesis in Cushing syndrome: sex-related and subtype-specific differences. Results from a monocentric study
- Author
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Detomas, M., Deutschbein, T., Tamburello, M., Chifu, I., Kimpel, O., Sbiera, S., Kroiss, M., Fassnacht, M., and Altieri, B.
- Abstract
Context: Cushing syndrome (CS) is associated with different hematological abnormalities. Nevertheless, conflicting data about erythropoiesis in CS have been reported. Furthermore, it is unclear whether CS sex and subtype-specific alterations in red blood cells (RBC) parameters are present. Objective: To investigate sex and subtype-specific changes in RBC in patients with CS at initial diagnosis and after remission. Design: Retrospective, monocentric study including 210 patients with CS (women, n = 162) matched 1:1 for sex and age to patients with pituitary microadenomas or adrenal incidentalomas (both hormonally inactive). RBC parameters were evaluated at initial diagnosis and after remission. Results: Women with CS had higher hematocrit (median 42.2 vs39.7%), hemoglobin (14.1 vs13.4 g/dl) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (91.2 vs87.9 fl) compared to the controls (all p< 0.0001). Women with Cushing disease (CD) showed higher hematocrit, RBC and hemoglobin levels than those with ectopic Cushing (ECS) (all p< 0.005). Men with CS had lower hematocrit (42.9 vs44.7%), RBC count (4.8 vs5.1n*10
6 /µl) and hemoglobin (14.2 vs15.4 g/dl), but higher MCV (90.8 vs87.5 fl) than controls (all p< 0.05). In men with CS, no subtype-specific differences were identified. Three months after remission hemoglobin decreased in both sexes. Conclusion: CS is characterized by sexual and subtype-specific differences in RBC parameters. Compared to controls, women with CS showed higher hematocrit/hemoglobin levels, whereas men had lower hematocrit/hemoglobin, which further decreased directly after remission. Therefore, anemia should be considered as complication of CS in men. In women, differences in RBC parameters may help to differentiate CD from ECS.- Published
- 2024
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