ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Acromegaly is characterized by an excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin like growth-factor 1 (IGF1), and it is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Both acute and long-lasting pro-inflammatory effects have been attributed to IGF1. Previous results suggest the presence of systemic inflammation in treated patients. Here we assessed the association between treatment of acromegaly, systemic inflammation and vascular function. DESIGN: Ex vivo cytokine production and circulating inflammatory markers were assessed in peripheral blood from treated and untreated acromegaly patients (N = 120), and compared them with healthy controls. A more comprehensive prospective inflammatory and vascular assessment was conducted in a subgroup of six treatment-naive patients with follow-up during treatment. RESULTS: Circulating concentrations of VCAM1, E-selectin and MMP2 were higher in patients with uncontrolled disease, whereas the concentrations of IL18 were lower. In stimulated whole blood, cytokine production was skewed towards a more pro-inflammatory profile in patients, especially those with untreated disease. Prospective vascular measurements in untreated patients showed improvement of endothelial function during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acromegaly patients are characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype, most pronounced in those with uncontrolled disease. Treatment only partially reverses this pro-inflammatory bias. These findings suggest that systemic inflammation could contribute to the increased risk of CVD in acromegaly patients.
Subject(s)
Acromegaly/therapy , Adenoma/therapy , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology , Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma/therapy , Inflammation/metabolism , Neurosurgical Procedures , Radiotherapy , Acromegaly/metabolism , Acromegaly/physiopathology , Adenoma/metabolism , Adenoma/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Cytokines/metabolism , Dopamine Agonists/therapeutic use , E-Selectin/metabolism , Female , Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma/metabolism , Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma/physiopathology , Human Growth Hormone/analogs & derivatives , Human Growth Hormone/therapeutic use , Humans , Inflammation/physiopathology , Interleukin-18/metabolism , Male , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism , Middle Aged , Pulse Wave Analysis , Somatostatin/analogs & derivatives , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Acromegaly has a negative influence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Previous studies provide limited information on the course of HRQoL during treatment. This study aims to assess the effect of treatment on the course of HRQoL at six predefined time points. DESIGN: This prospective study examines HRQoL in treatment-naive patients before and during the first 2.5 years of acromegaly treatment. METHODS: Therapy-naive acromegaly patients completed three validated questionnaires (RAND-36, AcroQoL, and the Appearance Self-Esteem (ASE)) at six predetermined time points before, during, and after treatment. Outcomes were correlated to IGF1 levels and disease control status. RESULTS: Twenty-seven acromegaly patients completed the questionnaires at all time points. After treatment, all patients had controlled acromegaly. Scores of RAND-36 domains General health, Vitality and Health change, and all AcroQoL dimensions (except for Relations) improved during treatment (P ≤ 0.003); the largest changes were detected during the first year. Gender influenced HRQoL scores, since AcroQoL scores significantly improved in males but not in females. Over time, IGF1 levels were negatively correlated with HRQoL. After 2.5 years of follow-up, HRQoL of controlled patients was still lower than in the general population. CONCLUSION: HRQoL of acromegaly patients was considerably reduced at diagnosis. Disease control was associated with an improvement of HRQoL scores. Males showed a more pronounced improvement than females. The largest changes were detected in the first year of treatment. However, HRQoL during and after treatment remained impaired in acromegaly patients, emphasizing the need of additional support.
Subject(s)
Acromegaly/psychology , Acromegaly/therapy , Quality of Life/psychology , Adult , Aged , Female , Health Status , Hormones/deficiency , Human Growth Hormone/blood , Humans , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/psychology , Prospective Studies , Self Concept , Sex Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
A preliminary initial cloned enzyme donor immunoassay (CEDIA) was optimized for serum and urine drug testing with respect to the German per se limits for driving under the influence of drugs (serum) and lowered cut-offs in cases of driving licence re-granting (urine). The tests were performed on an Olympus AU 400 auto analyzer. Validation revealed sensitivities between 93% and 100% based on comparison with data from gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Even if specificity ranged between 83% and 98 %, the tests can be considered useful for forensic purposes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Youden indices, as well as positive and negative predictive values are presented.
Subject(s)
Illicit Drugs/blood , Illicit Drugs/urine , Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods , Substance Abuse Detection/methods , Automobile Driving , Humans , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
A retrospective study is reported of the results of 28 subtalar arthrodeses by Grice's technique, performed in 18 children because of a neurological condition causing a progressive valgus deformity of the posterior and an eversion deformity of the anterior part of the foot. The results were indifferent. Indications and complications are discussed.
Subject(s)
Ankle/surgery , Arthrodesis/methods , Foot Deformities, Acquired/surgery , Child , Child, Preschool , Foot Deformities, Acquired/etiology , Humans , Neuromuscular Diseases/complications , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Poikilodermal abnormalities with a linear or reticular distribution pattern and associated with other ectodermal and mesodermal disorders are characteristic features of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome (focal dermal hypoplasia), which is found mainly in females. In the light of recent literature a report is given about clinical aspects, histology, differential diagnosis, etiology, and especially the genetics of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome. Because of its rare incidence in males, a case of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome in a 21-year-old man is presented.
