Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Sheehan’s syndrome (SS) is a rare cause of hypopituitarism. It results from ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland following severe postpartum hemorrhage. There is growing interest in understanding the lipid profile alterations in patients with SS, potentially contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile in women with SS.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 50 patients with a complete anterior hypopituitarism secondary to SS and 50 age and body-mass index (BMI) -matched controls. Participants underwent physical examination and laboratory tests including lipid measurements.

Results: The mean age was 62.2±9.4 years in patients vs 60.6±8.4 years in controls (P=0.385). The mean BMI was 29.6±6.0 kg/m² in women with SS vs 30.0±5.0 kg/m² in controls (P=0.741). Patients with SS had significantly higher levels of triglycerides (respectively: 1.8±0.8 mmol/l vs 1.4±0.6 mmol/l, P=0.046) and triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio (respectively: 1.6±1.2 vs 1.1±0.5, P=0.016) compared to controls. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 66% in patients and 38% in controls (P=0.005). SS was positively associated with dyslipidemia with an Odds Ratio of 3.2 (95%-confidence interval (CI): 1.39-7.17, P=0.005). Factors associated with dyslipidemia in women with SS included a family history of dyslipidemia (OR=4.4, 95%-CI: 1.2-16.4, P=0.022), diabetes (OR=8, 95%-CI: 0.9-68.4, P=0.031), and insulin resistance (OR=7.97, 95%-CI: 1.6-40.5, P=0.006). However, age, diagnostic delay, disease duration, GH levels, FT4 levels, daily dose of levothyroxine, daily and cumulative dose of hydrocortisone, and estroprogestative therapy were not associated with dyslipidemia.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly higher in patients with SS than in controls. Its associated factors were family history of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Regular lipid profile assessments and lifestyle management are necessary in women with SS.