Endocrine Abstracts

We analyzed data of 148 patients (125 female, 23 male) with hyperprolactinemia who had been investigated in our Department during 2008–2012: Nontumor hyperprolactinemia (NT, n=46, 31%), microadenomas (MI, n=56, 38%), MAcroadenomas (MA, n=46, 31%). Patients’ age was 36 (24; 46), 37 (26; 44) and 49 (33; 60) years respectively. Men were younger than women (P=0.002). Portion of men was higher in MA than in NT and MI: 19% vs 10 and 11%. Median prolactin levels were in NT 1547 (1124; 2185), MI 1490 (1050; 2280), and MA 3800 (1790; 18840) mE/l (P=0.002). In men with MA prolactin levels and prolactinoma volume were higher than in women: 28600 (9450; 63200) vs 3400 (1790; 5700) mE/l and 6150 (4100; 12000) vs 1880 (870; 3300) mm³, accordingly. There was no difference between men and women in prolactin levels of NT and MI.

In women of premenopausal age menstrual cycle was regular in 34% of NT, 42% of MI and 4% of MA; in these cases prolactin levels were <3000 mE/l. Women of postmenopausal age accounted 41% of MA and 5–10% of other groups, and prolactin levels were similar in pre- and postmenopausal subgroups. Most found menstrual disturbances were opsomenorrhea (NT 35%, MI 36%, MA 20%) and amenorrhea (NT 13%, MI 16%, MA 76%). Galactorrhea was observed in 21% of NT, 29% of MI, and 19% of MA (including cases of galactorrhea without menstrual disorders), prolactin levels did not differ in patients with or without galactorrhea. Headache and visual disturbances were observed in 50 and 10% of NT, 45 and 14% of MI, 86 and 48% of MA respectively. Prolactin levels <3000 mE/l were found in most of patients with NT (83%) and MI (85%). There was positive correlation between prolactin levels and prolactinoma volume (r=0.45, P<0.001). Thus, in our cohort of patients with hyperprolactinemia a portion of nontumoral hyperprolactinemia, microadenomas and macroadenomas was similar. Approximately half of women with nontumoral hyperprolactinemia and microadenomas had normal menstrual cycle with prolactin levels less than 3000 mE/l. In men higher frequency of aggressive macrodenomas was observed.