Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Using the criterion of GH<2.5 μg/l and normalized IGF1, response rates to currently available somatostatin analogues in medically-naïve patients with acromegaly are 20–25% after 12 m. The broader somatostatin receptor binding profile of pasireotide may potentially improve response rates. This randomized, double-blind 12-m study compared pasireotide LAR with octreotide LAR.Methods: Patients with acromegaly (GH>5 μ...

Introduction: The clinical features and complications of Cushing’s syndrome result from chronic excess of circulating cortisol, typically quantified by 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC). LCI699 is a potent inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase. Since 11β-hydroxylase catalyzes the final step of cortisol synthesis, LCI699 is a potential new treatment for all forms of Cushing’s syndrome.Methods: Adult patients with mild-to-severe Cushing’s di...

ACROSTUDY is an international observational study to evaluate efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with pegvisomant (PEGA) in acromegaly. ACROSTUDY Italy was started in 2007 and we report data from the first 185 patients (93M, 92F, mean age, range, 49.9 y; 17–83.8 y) treated with PEGA (mean duration, range, 3.2 y, 0.1–8.5 y), from 24 centers, until 01/2010. Before and during PEGA, IGF1, GH-Ab, liver enzymes, metabolic parameters and pituitary MRI were assessed....

Bromocriptine (BC) and cabergoline (CAB) are ergot-derived dopamine agonists (DAs) used for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia. Recently, concern has been raised about a possible association between long-term DA use and cardiac valvular abnormalities. These concerns are largely derived from studies in patients with Parkinson’s disease receiving higher doses (typically CAB 3 mg/day vs 0.5–1 mg/week for hyperprolactinaemic patients). Studies in hyperprolactinaemic pa...

Hypothalamic obesity has major impact on prognosis and quality of life (QoL) in childhood craniopharyngioma (CP). The pathogenic relevance of initial hypothalamic involvement versus treatment-related hypothalamic lesions is a matter of controversy.One hundred and twenty patients were recruited prospectively during 2001 and 2007 and evaluated after 3 years of follow-up. Body mass index (BMI) and QoL at diagnosis and 36 mo after diagnosis were analyzed bas...

Background: Diabetes mellitus is prevalent in adults with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), and GH therapy may deteriorate glucose balance.Design: We prospectively investigated effects of 12 months of GH treatment on body composition and insulin resistance in relation to BMI in forty-two adults, mean(±S.D.) age 28.5±6.7 years with genetically verified PWS. Three patients with known diabetes were excluded. Data from baseline and 1...