Search

Context: The role of hormone parameters at adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in predicting clinical and biochemical outcomes remains controversial., Objective: To investigate the impact of hormone parameters at AVS under cosyntropin stimulation on lateralization and on complete biochemical and clinical outcomes., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 150 sequential AVS under cosyntropin infusion. The bilateral successful cannulation rate was 83.3% (n = 140), 47.9% bilateral and 52.1% unilateral. The lateralization index, aldosterone/cortisol ratio (A/C) in the dominant adrenal vein (AV), and relative aldosterone secretion index (RASI = A/C in AV divided by A/C in inferior vena cava) were assessed. The contralateral suppression (CS) percentage was defined by (1 - nondominant RASI) * 100., Results: A nondominant RASI <0.5 (CS >50%) had 86.84% sensitivity and 92.96% specificity to predict contralateral lateralization. An A/C ratio in dominant AV >5.9 (74.67% sensitivity and 80% specificity) and dominant RASI >4.7 (35.21% sensitivity and 88.06% specificity) had the worst performance to predict ipsilateral lateralization. Complete biochemical and clinical cure was significantly more frequent in the patients with CS >50% [98.41% vs 42.86% (P < .001) and 41.94% vs 0% (P < .001)]. CS correlated with high aldosterone at diagnosis (P < .001) and low postoperative aldosterone levels at 1 month (P = .019). Postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism was more frequent in patients with CS >50% (70% vs 16.67%, P = .014). In multivariable analysis, a CS >50% was associated with complete biochemical cure [odds ratio (OR) 125, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.904-5000; P = .001] and hypertension remission (OR 12.19, 95% CI 2.074-250; P = .023)., Conclusion: A CS >50% was an independent predictor of complete clinical and biochemical cure. Moreover, it can predict unilateral primary aldosteronism and postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism. Our findings underscore the usefulness of CS for clinical decision-making., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease. The management of extreme obesity - i.e., body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 kg/m 2 or obesity class IV and V - is still far from ideal. Individuals with extreme obesity have a high risk of surgical complications, mortality, comorbidities, and reduced weight loss following bariatric surgery. Although lifestyle changes and anti-obesity medications are recommended for all patients with extreme obesity as adjuvants to weight loss, these measures are less effective than bariatric surgery. As a first step, sleeve gastrectomy or an inpatient very-low-calorie diet should be incentivized to enhance weight loss before definitive surgery. Although malabsorptive procedures lead to greater weight loss, they are associated with an increased risk of early complications and malnutrition. Nonstandard techniques employed in clinical trial protocols, such as transit bipartition, may be performed as they maintain a weight loss potency comparable to that of the classic duodenal switch but with fewer nutritional problems. Anatomical causes should be investigated in patients with postoperative suboptimal clinical response or recurrent weight gain. In these cases, the initiation of anti-obesity drugs, endoscopic therapies, or a conversion procedure might be recommended. More studies are needed to address the specific population of patients with extreme obesity, as their outcomes are expected to be distinct from those of patients with lower BMI., Competing Interests: Disclosure: no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Background: Men with macroprolactinoma can present persistent hypogonadism despite normoprolactinemia achieved with clinical and/or neurosurgical treatment. Usually, testosterone replacement therapy is indicated. Nevertheless, although off-label, clomiphene citrate (CC), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has also been used, mainly when fertility is an issue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CC in recovering the gonadal axis in men with macroprolactinoma, with or without hyperprolactinemia, and evaluate its safety as a long-term therapy., Methods: This is a retrospective study including 10 men with macroprolactinoma on cabergoline treatment and persistent hypogonadism. All patients received initially 50 mg/d of CC., Results: The median age at diagnosis of prolactinomas was 34 (range, 26-60) years old. All patients were treated with cabergoline at a median maximum dose of 2 (1-7) mg/week, with a median time of treatment of 8.5 (2-15) years. Prolactin was still above the normal range when CC was introduced only in two patients. The mean duration of CC therapy was 3.2 (±2.8) years. Prolactin levels maintained stable (p = 0.252) and testosterone increased (p = 0.027) significantly on CC therapy. Tumor size remained stable. Eight patients (80%) maintained testosterone above 300 ng/dL and were classified as responders. Three responders succeeded in using a lower dose of CC and one of them completed withdrawal CC and maintained eugonadism. There were no side effects or safety concerns reported., Conclusion: CC should be seen as a safe treatment option for men with macroprolactinoma and persistent hypogonadism., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Few studies demonstrated a percentage decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at a single time and the rate of hypoaldosteronism after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA). Our aim was to investigate the evolution of renal function and the hypoaldosteronism risk after adrenalectomy for PA. Aldosterone, renin, eGFR, and electrolyte levels were determined before and at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after unilateral adrenalectomy in 94 PA patients (40 men and 54 women). The main outcome was the postoperative eGFR decline using analysis of covariance with the preoperative eGFR as a covariate. eGFR decreased during first postoperative week compared to 3 months before surgery. During the first 6 months, eGFR remained stable at similar levels to the first week after surgery. Age (p=0.001), aldosterone levels (p=0.021) and eGFR 3 months before surgery (p+<+0.0001) had a significant correlation with eGFR during first postoperative week. High aldosterone levels at diagnosis were correlated with decline in renal function in the univariate model (p=0.033). In the multivariate analysis, aldosterone levels at diagnosis had a tendency to be an independent predictor of renal function after surgery (p=0.059). Postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism was diagnosed in 48% of the cases after adrenalectomy, but prolonged hyperkalemia occurred in only 4 cases (4.5%). Our findings showed a decrease of eGFR after unilateral adrenalectomy for PA. Additionally, aldosterone levels at diagnosis correlated with postoperative renal function. Postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism occurred in almost half of the patients, but prolonged hyperkalemia with fludrocortisone replacement was less frequent., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the effect of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor (AI), in patients with resistant prolactinoma that presented an increase in serum prolactin (PRL) levels during testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)., Methods: A retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary care center. From March 2012 to July 2023, 53 male patients over 18 years with prolactinoma were followed in our Neuroendocrine Unit. Of those, 90.6% presented macroadenomas, 41% of them were resistant to cabergoline and 25% presented persistent hypogonadism to whom TRT was indicated. Among them, five presented a significant increase in PRL levels and AI was initiated. All five patients had resistant prolactinomas. One of them was excluded due to tumor aggressiveness and concomitant use of temozolomide during AI therapy., Results: Four patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 28.5 (± 7.5) years, median prolactin of 1060 (600 to 6700) ng/mL and median of the largest tumor diameter of 3.6 (1.5 to 5) cm at the time of prolactinoma diagnosis. On TRT, all presented an increase in serum PRL levels (231 to 396%), with a subsequent decrease (61 to 93%) after adding AI. During AI treatment for a median time of 60.5 (21 to 120) months, tumor shrinkage was observed in two cases (-8 and -3 mm in the maximum diameter) and tumor stability in the other two. No major side effects occurred and AI was well tolerated., Conclusion: AI might be an option for men with resistant prolactinoma who have an increase in PRL levels on TRT. Nevertheless, prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to ensure efficacy and security for this approach., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE).)

Background: Obesity is believed to be a risk factor for COVID-19 and unfavorable outcomes, although data on this remains to be better elucidated., Objective: To evaluate the impact of obesity on the endpoints of patients hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2., Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients hospitalized at a tertiary hospital (Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP) from March to December 2020. Only patients positive for COVID-19 (real-time PCR or serology) were included. Data were collected from medical records and included clinical and demographic information, weight and height, SAPS-3 score, comorbidities, and patient-centered outcomes (mortality, and need for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, or vasoactive drugs). Patients were divided into categories according to their BMI (underweight, eutrophic, overweight and obesity) for comparison porpoise., Results: A total of 2547 patients were included. The mean age was 60.3 years, 56.2% were men, 65.2% were white and the mean BMI was 28.1 kg/m 2 . SAPS-3 score was a risk factor for all patient-centered outcomes (HR 1.032 for mortality, OR 1.03 for dialysis, OR 1.07 for vasoactive drug use, and OR 1.08 for intubation, p < 0.05). Male sex increased the risk of death (HR 1.175, p = 0.027) and dialysis (OR 1.64, p < 0.001), and underweight was protective for vasoactive drug use (OR 0.45, p = 0.027) and intubation (OR 0.31, p < 0.003)., Conclusion: Obesity itself was not an independent factor for worse patient-centered outcomes. Critical clinical state (indirectly evaluated by SAPS-3) appears to be the most important variable related to hard outcomes in patients infected with COVID-19., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Obesity is a prevalent chronic disorder and a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the evidence of treating obesity for primary prevention of major cardiovascular events is still scarce and controversial. In this review, we provided a comprehensive description of the current evidence in treating obesity regarding cardiovascular protection. Bariatric surgery appears to be the most robust method to reduce events in people without established cardiovascular disease. High compliance to lifestyle interventions can further reduce cardiovascular risk. Concerning pharmacological therapies, a post hoc analysis from SUSTAIN-6 and a meta-analysis from STEP trials suggest that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, could reduce cardiovascular events in people without established cardiovascular disease. The first study addressed specifically a high-risk population with diabetes and, the second, low- or intermediary-risk individuals without diabetes. Tirzepatide, a novel dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, although not yet tested in specific cardiovascular outcomes trials, could be an alternative since it induces loss in weight similar to the achieved by bariatric surgery. Therefore, extrapolated data in distinct baseline cardiovascular risk populations suggest that these two drugs could be used in primary prevention with the aim of preventing cardiovascular events, but the grade of this evidence is still low. Specifically designed studies are needed to address this specific topic., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: C.C. has served as advisory board for Novo Nordisk and reports having received research grants from Eli-Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eurofarma, Fractyl, and EMS. R.D.S. has received honoraria related to consulting, speaker activities, or research from Amgen, Amryt, Astra Zeneca, Biolab, Eli-Lilly, Kowa, Esperion, Pfizer, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, PTC, GETZ Pharma, and Sanofi/Regeneron. M.C.M. has received consulting fees, honoraria, and support for meetings or travel from Merck, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Takeda, EMS, Eurofarma, and Aché., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most efficient treatment for obesity. However, in some cases, weight regain can occur. Currently, it is unknown the best antiobesity medication (AOM) for such clinical situation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of AOM in patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery., Methods: A retrospective cohort study from December 2010 to July 2019 with patients submitted to bariatric surgery that had weight regain and received AOM for at least 2 years., Results: Of 96 patients that had weight regain in the analyzed period and received AOM, 16 were excluded from the analysis due to non-compliance (n = 7), treatment failure (n = 5), intolerable side effects with all available AOM (n = 2), or interaction with other medications (n = 2). Eighty patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 59.0 ± 10.1 years, 88.8% were female, 91.2% white, and most of them were submitted to gastric bypass (87.6%). The mean preoperative and nadir weight after surgery were 127.9 ± 25.5 kg and 84.7 ± 22.8 kg, respectively. At the initiation of AOM, the mean baseline weight was 99.4 ± 23.1 kg. After 2 years of follow-up, there was significant weight loss in the groups treated with topiramate-alone (- 3.2 kg), topiramate plus sibutramine (- 6.1kg), and orlistat-alone or in combination (- 3.9kg). No statistical difference was observed in the sibutramine-alone group., Conclusion: Topiramate (alone or associated with sibutramine) and orlistat (alone or in combination) promoted significant weight loss after 2 years of use in patients submitted to bariatric surgery with weight regain., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.

Purpose: Dopamine agonists (DA) are the gold-standard for prolactinoma and hyperprolactinemia treatment. Intolerance to DA leading to drug drop out occurs in 3 to 12% of cases. We provide here a review of published data about DA intolerance and present a case report concerning the use of intravaginal cabergoline., Methods: We review the literature on the definition, the pathogenesis, frequency and management of DA intolerance. In addition, the review provides strategies to enhance tolerability and avoid precocious clinical treatment withdrawal., Results: Cabergoline is often cited as the most tolerable DA and its side effects tend to ameliorate within days to weeks. Restarting the same drug at a lower dose or switching to another DA can be used in cases of intolerance. The vaginal route can be tried specifically if there are gastrointestinal side effects in the oral administration. Symptomatic treatment could be attempted, although mainly based on a strategy used in other diseases., Conclusions: Due to limited data, no guidelines have been developed for the management of intolerance in DA treatment. The most frequent management is to perform transsphenoidal surgery. Nevertheless, this manuscript provides data derived from published literature and expert opinion, suggesting new approaches to this clinical issue., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Whether preoperative parameters can predict weight loss following bariatric surgery is a matter of debate. We conducted a longitudinal and prospective pilot study on 35 patients that underwent bariatric surgery, with a 12-month follow-up. In the preoperative period, a high HOMA-beta index, lower fasting blood glucose, and lower HbA1c were correlated with a lower BMI at 12 months. Traditional preoperative factors, such as weight and BMI, were correlated with the postoperative BMI values. The presence of well-controlled diabetes may influence weight loss after surgery., (Copyright © 2022 Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.)

Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a well-known product in tropical countries. There are few reports published in literature with acute kidney injury due to oxalate induced nephropathy. However, none of them have an important neurological feature. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with paresis and altered mental status. Screening for neurological diseases such as stroke, Guillain-Barre, meningitis and encephalitis were negative. In the evolution, he developed acute kidney failure and was submitted to 4 dialysis sessions. After talking to the family, we discovered he had ingested over 50 star fruits prior to the acute neurologic deficits. He recovered renal function so a renal biopsy was not required. Physicians should actively look for star fruit ingestion history in patients presenting with unexplained acute kidney injury with or without neurological features. Besides, taking star fruit in a large amount, accompanied by an empty stomach and dehydrated state, is a risk factor for neurotoxicity., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Indian Journal of Nephrology.)

Introduction: Agranulocytosis induced by thioamides is rare, occurring only in 0.2-0.5% of cases., Case Presentation: We present the case of a 45-year-old woman previously diagnosed with Graves' disease that discontinued the use of methimazole on her own. She attended the Emergency Department presenting fever (40.5¯C), agitation and diaphoresis. A thyroid storm diagnosis was initially thought, but after laboratory results showing neutrophil count near 0.06x109/L, sepsis due to neutropenia seemed the most logical hypothesis. Cephepime was promptly initiated. For thyrotoxicosis management, cholestyramine and atenolol were prescribed. In her second day of hospitalization, subcutaneous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was started for an earlier medullar response. The patient was discharged after 7 days with atenolol 50mg/day and instructed to have a definite treatment for Graves disease as soon as possible., Conclusion: Such case purpose is to remember clinicians that sepsis diagnosis can be challenged, especially when a thyroid storm is a possible diagnosis as well. In this particular case, both conditions should be treated, but life-threatening sepsis should have the focus for a quick therapeutic approach., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (©by Acta Endocrinologica Foundation.)

An enlarging thyroid normally extends into the mediastinum, resulting in a presternal or substernal goiter, depending on its migration anteriorly or posteriorly, respectively. The first one was a rare entity in medical literature, being previously reported in only 6 cases worldwide. The present case reports a 54-year woman with a presternal goiter. She had a history of partial thyroidectomy due to a colloid goiter in 2004. Her thyroid function revealed subclinical hypothyroidism. No other abnormalities were present in physical exam or in laboratory tests. A resection of the remaining thyroid tissue was made, with great postsurgical recovery. The anatomopathological study revealed a colloid goiter. Such case porpoise is to remember physicians that unusual presentations of ordinary diseases can occur. This report differs on literature, which demonstrated that papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most important cause of presternal goiter. Moreover, unlike previous reports with normal thyroid function, this case is the only one reported with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Hypertriglyceridemia is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis. Among the causes that lead to secondary hypertriglyceridemia, the use of contraceptive agents is the main reason to be assessed in young women. We report a case of a 31-year-old woman who had suffered two acute pancreatitis episodes secondary to hypertriglyceridemia. In the investigation, the previous medical team indicated a genetic screening before ruling out all secondary causes. LPL, apo CII and apo AV genes were negative for mutations. In the first appointment with us, the patient reported the use of a contraceptive agent for about 2 years. She was instructed to discontinue the drug. After one year of follow-up, her serum triglycerides are within the normal range and a copper intrauterine device was the method chosen by the patient for contraception.

Competing Interests: Conflito de interesse: Os autores declararam não haver conflitos de interesse que precisam ser informados.