| 1. |
- Bothou, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Current Management and Outcome of Pregnancies in Women With Adrenal Insufficiency : Experience from a Multicenter Survey
- 2020
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 105:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Appropriate management of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in pregnancy can be challenging due to the rarity of the disease and lack of evidence-based recommendations to guide glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid dosage adjustment.Objective: Multicenter survey on current clinical approaches in managing AI during pregnancy.Design: Retrospective anonymized data collection from 19 international centers from 2013 to 2019.Setting and patients: 128 pregnancies in 113 women with different causes of AI: Addison disease (44%), secondary AI (25%), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (25%), and acquired AI due to bilateral adrenalectomy (6%).Results: Hydrocortisone (HC) was the most commonly used glucocorticoid in 83% (97/117) of pregnancies. Glucocorticoid dosage was increased at any time during pregnancy in 73/128 (57%) of cases. In these cases, the difference in the daily dose of HC equivalent between baseline and the third trimester was 8.6 ± 5.4 (range 1-30) mg. Fludrocortisone dosage was increased in fewer cases (7/54 during the first trimester, 9/64 during the second trimester, and 9/62 cases during the third trimester). Overall, an adrenal crisis was reported in 9/128 (7%) pregnancies. Cesarean section was the most frequent mode of delivery at 58% (69/118). Fetal complications were reported in 3/120 (3%) and minor maternal complications in 15/120 (13%) pregnancies without fatal outcomes.Conclusions: This survey confirms good maternal and fetal outcome in women with AI managed in specialized endocrine centers. An emphasis on careful endocrine follow-up and repeated patient education is likely to have reduced the risk of adrenal crisis and resulted in positive outcomes.
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| 2. |
- Dawoodji, Amina, et al.
(author)
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High Frequency of Cytolytic 21-Hydroxylase-Specific CD8(+) T Cells in Autoimmune Addison's Disease Patients
- 2014
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In: Journal of Immunology. - : The American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 193:5, s. 2118-2126
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The mechanisms behind destruction of the adrenal glands in autoimmune Addison's disease remain unclear. Autoantibodies against steroid 21-hydroxylase, an intracellular key enzyme of the adrenal cortex, are found in >90% of patients, but these autoantibodies are not thought to mediate the disease. In this article, we demonstrate highly frequent 21-hydroxylase-specific T cells detectable in 20 patients with Addison's disease. Using overlapping 18-aa peptides spanning the full length of 21-hydroxylase, we identified immunodominant CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell responses in a large proportion of Addison's patients both ex vivo and after in vitro culture of PBLs <= 20 y after diagnosis. In a large proportion of patients, CD8(+) and CD4(+) 21-hydroxylase-specific T cells were very abundant and detectable in ex vivo assays. HLA class I tetramer guided isolation of 21-hydroxylase-specific CD8(+) T cells showed their ability to lyse 21-hydroxylase-positive target cells, consistent with a potential mechanism for disease pathogenesis. These data indicate that strong CTL responses to 21-hydroxylase often occur in vivo, and that reactive CTLs have substantial proliferative and cytolytic potential. These results have implications for earlier diagnosis of adrenal failure and ultimately a potential target for therapeutic intervention and induction of immunity against adrenal cortex cancer.
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| 3. |
- Øksnes, Marianne, et al.
(author)
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Quality of Life in European Patients with Addison's Disease : Validity of the Disease-Specific Questionnaire AddiQoL
- 2012
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 97:2, s. 568-576
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Patients with Addison's disease (AD) self-report impairment in specific dimensions on well-being questionnaires. An AD-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (AddiQoL) was developed to aid evaluation of patients. Objective: We aimed to translate and determine construct validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the AddiQoL questionnaire. Methods: After translation, the final versions were tested in AD patients from Norway (n = 107), Sweden (n = 101), Italy (n = 165), Germany (n = 200), and Poland (n = 50). Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, aiming at unidimensionality and fit to the Rasch model. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's coefficient-alpha and Person separation index. Longitudinal reliability was tested by differential item functioning in stable patient subgroups. Concurrent validity was examined in Norwegian (n = 101) and Swedish (n = 107) patients. Results: Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis identified six items with poor psychometric properties. The 30 remaining items fitted the Rasch model and proved unidimensional, supported by appropriate item and person fit residuals and a nonsignificant chi(2) probability. Crohnbach's alpha-coefficient 0.93 and Person separation index 0.86 indicate high reliability. Longitudinal reliability was excellent. Correlation with Short Form-36 and Psychological General Well-Being Index scores was high. A shorter subscale comprising eight items also proved valid and reliable. Testing of AddiQoL-30 in this large patient cohort showed significantly worse scores with increasing age and inwomencompared with men but no difference between patients with isolated AD and those with concomitant diseases. Conclusion: The validation process resulted in a revised 30-item AddiQoL questionnaire and an eight-item AddiQoL short version with good psychometric properties and high reliability.
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