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Hypogonadism as a consequence of craniopharyngioma in female patients: comparison of childhood and adult onset and effects of estrogen replacement therapy

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Abstract

Purpose

(1) to compare clinical, biochemical features in female patients with hypoestrogenism due to childhood- and adult-onset CP; (2) to reveal effects of estrogen replacement therapy in female patients with childhood-onset CP.

Methods

Thirty-seven women that received specific treatment for CP in the period from 1980 to 2019 were recruited: 21 with childhood-onset and 16 with adult-onset CP. Clinical and hormonal characteristics were evaluated. Seventeen-beta-estradiol 2 mg and dydrogesterone 10 mg in sequential regiment was used in 18 childhood-onset cases. Mean follow-up was 31 months.

Results

Amenorrheic women with childhood- and adult-onset CP presented with the same complaints except for lack of genital hair and breast hypoplasia, which were common in patients with childhood-onset CP. BMI was lower in childhood-onset CP group, as was the proportion of overweight patients. They had more favorable lipid profile. The levels of estradiol, testosterone and DHEA-S were low and did not differ. Uterine and ovary volumes were reduced in all patients, but the decline was noticeable in the childhood-onset group. Mineral bone density of lumbar vertebrae was diminished in childhood-onset group. Estrogen therapy in these patients led to clinical improvement: increase in BMD in lumbar spine without negative changes in BMI and/or lipid profile.

Conclusions

Study showed that women with childhood-onset CP had less negative metabolic changes. However, they have more pronounced breast and uterus hypoplasia and lower BMD in lumbar spine. The estrogen replacement therapy led to clinical improvement and BMD increase in lumbar spine without increase of BMI and/or lipid profile changes.

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Acknowledgements

This is a short text to acknowledge the contributions of specific colleagues, institutions, or agencies that aided the efforts of the authors.

Author contributions

II and VZ curated the data, performed the investigation and methodology of the study. VZ performed formal analysis and statistical analysis using the software. II was responsible for conceptualization, supervision, validation of the methodology. II and VZ were writing the paper, II performed a full review and editing. Both authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

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  1. State Budget Health Agency Moscow Region Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russia

    Irena Ilovayskaya

  2. I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia

    Vita Zektser

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Correspondence to Irena Ilovayskaya.

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Ilovayskaya, I., Zektser, V. Hypogonadism as a consequence of craniopharyngioma in female patients: comparison of childhood and adult onset and effects of estrogen replacement therapy. Endocrine (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-024-03872-7

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