Nathani, Rohit

Abstract Context Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) have higher rates of vertebral fractures compared to patients with non-functioning adrenal nodules, yet bone density is not always reduced. Objective To characterize the effect of MACS on bone density, metabolism, and microstructure as measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Design Cross-sectional study, 2019-2022 Setting Tertiary referral center Participants Seventy-five patients with MACS and 75 age-, sex-, and gonadal status–matched referent subjects. Measurements Bone turnover markers, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, and HR-pQCT. Outcomes Areal and volumetric bone mineral density (aBMD, vBMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), microstructural parameters including trabecular bone volume to total volume (BV/TV) ratio. Results While no differences in aBMD were observed at any skeletal site, patients with MACS had decreased TBS (1.389 vs 1.475, P < .001) and lower osteocalcin concentration (17.1 vs 19.5 ng/mL, P = .030) than referent subjects. On HR-pQCT at the tibia, patients with MACS had reduced trabecular BV/TV (0.220 vs 0.233, P = .015) compared to referent subjects. On multivariable analysis, MACS was associated with lower TBS (odds ratio [OR] per SD decrease 2.87 [1.65-5.00]), lower trabecular BV/TV at the radius (OR per SD decrease 2.58 [1.33-5.00]), and lower trabecular BV/TV at the tibia (OR per SD decrease 4.06 [2.10-7.86]). Conclusion Patients with MACS have microstructural deterioration that may not be evident on routine DXA aBMD testing.

ABSTRACT Objective Data on bone health in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) are limited and heterogenous. We sought to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and symptomatic fragility fractures in patients with adrenal adenomas and hypercortisolism, and explore associations with the degree of cortisol excess and frailty. Design This multicenter cross ‐sectional study involved prospective enrollment of adults with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFA), MACS, Cushing syndrome (CS) and referent subjects without adrenal disorders during the study period (January 2019–September 2022). All participants completed a bone health questionnaire at enrollment and had dual‐energy X ‐ray absorptiometry bone mineral density assessment within 12‐months. Final analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use. Results Participants included 117 with NFA (median age 62 years, 80% women), 191 with MACS (median age 63 years, 74% women), 62 with CS (median age 50 years, 92% women), and 101 referent subjects (median age 59 years, 47% women). Both patients with CS (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1–8.3) and MACS (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.9–4.9) had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis when compared to referents. Among patients with MACS, only those with post 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test (post‐1mg‐DST) cortisol > 83 nmol/L had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis when compared to referents (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4–7.5) and NFA (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.4). For clinical fragility fractures, only patients with CS showed an increased prevalence when compared to referents (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.7–26.4) and NFA (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3–11.2). Prevalence of clinical fragility fractures was similar to referents in patients with MACS (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 0.6–6.9) and NFA (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.4–6.1), and was not associated with post‐1mg‐DST cortisol or frailty in the MACS and NFA groups. Conclusion Patients with CS, and those with MACS and post‐1mg‐DST cortisol > 83 nmol/L, exhibited a higher burden of osteoporosis. However, only CS was associated with an elevated risk of symptomatic fragility fractures.

Abstract Objectives The impact of mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) on cognition is incompletely characterized. We aimed to assess cognition in patients with MACS, identify factors associated with lower cognition, and determine the impact of adrenalectomy on cognition. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study (4/2019 to 10/2022) and a longitudinal cohort study (10/2021 to 9/2023) of adults with MACS and referent subjects. Cognition was assessed with National Institute of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery and reported as standardized T scores (adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education) for fluid, crystallized, and total composite cognition. Participants were assessed with urine steroid profiling (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), frailty index, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results A total of 84 patients (median age 57 years, 67% women) and 201 referent subjects (median age 63 years, 58% women) were included. Patients with MACS demonstrated lower mean (SD) total composite (50.9 [9.3] vs 55.4 [8.9], P < .001) and fluid composite T score (49.3 [10.6] vs 55.2 [10.2], P < .001), but not crystallized composite T score (52.3 [8.4] vs 54.0 [8.4], P = .130) when compared with referent subjects. Multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, BDI, SF-36, frailty index, total glucocorticoids, and androgens demonstrated that MACS status was associated with lower cognition. When cognition was reassessed in 37 patients post-adrenalectomy and 31 referent subjects, adjusted group differences of cognition change were similar except for a higher comparative increase in attention and executive functioning in patients with MACS. Conclusion Patients with MACS demonstrate lower cognition than referent subjects. Adrenalectomy for MACS had a minor positive impact on cognition.

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. R. Nathani: None. J. Larson: None. V. Fell: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Surgical menopause due to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at a younger age is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. Aging is associated with abnormalities in steroid metabolome, most notably an increased glucocorticoid to androgen ratio (“adrenal aging”). We hypothesized that in postmenopausal women of the same age, the duration of menopause is associated with adrenal aging. Objective: To determine the differences in the adrenal steroid metabolome of women with a history of BSO as compared to age-matched women following natural menopause. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study in postmenopausal women with or without a history of BSO, between December 2020 to December 2022 Each participant collected 24-hour urine, which was analyzed for steroid profiling by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (25 steroids). Exclusion criteria were inability to collect a 24h urine sample, exogenous glucocorticoid use, advanced malignancy, and chronic opioid use. Primary endpoints were glucocorticoid/androgen ratio, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity (cortisol/cortisone, Tetrahydrocortisol (THF) + 5 α-tetrahydrocortisol (5 α-THF)/ Tetrahydrocortisone, THE) and 5 α-reductase type activity (Tetrahydrocortisol (THF)/5 α-tetrahydrocortisol (5 α-THF) and Etiocholanolone/Androsterone, Et/An). Results: A total of 245 women were enrolled: 124 women (median age of 66 years, IQR 63-72) with a history of BSO and 121 women (median age of 68 years, IQR 64-71) who underwent natural menopause (P=0.214). Median age at menopause was 44 years (IQR 41-46) in the BSO group, and 50 years (IQR 48-53) in the natural menopause group. History of hormone replacement therapy with estrogen was reported in 161 (66%) women, more frequently (92% vs 39%, P<0.001) and for a longer duration (median 12 years (IQR 6-16) vs 6 years (IQR 3-9), P<0.001) in in the BSO group, as compared to the natural menopause group. Although both groups had similar levels of urinary androgens (median 1387 vs 1686 mcg/24h, P=0.063) and total glucocorticoids (median 10877 vs 10277 mcg/24h, P=0.354), women with a history of BSO demonstrated a higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio (median 7.9 (IQR 5.0-11.1) vs 6.7 (4.3-9.9), P=0.014), and a lower Et/An ratio (median 1.4 vs 1.6, P=0.045), but not THF/5aTHF ratio (median 1.7 vs 1.8, P=0.380) in comparison to women with natural menopause. No differences were found in other ratios. Conclusion: Women with a history of BSO demonstrated a higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio in comparison to women undergoing natural menopause, suggestive of BSO-induced accelerated “adrenal aging”. Future studies need to examine associations between the abnormal steroid metabolome and increased cardiovascular morbidity, frailty, and mortality reported following BSO. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. S. Singh: None. A.L. Ebbehøj: None. C.D. Zhang: None. R. Nathani: None. V. Fell: None. E. Atkinson: None. S. Achenbach: None. A. Rivard: None. R.J. Singh: None. S.K. Grebe: None. I. Bancos: None. Abstract Context: Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is diagnosed based on post-dexamethasone cortisol>1.8 mcg/dL. Scarce evidence exists on steroid circadian secretion and steroid metabolome in MACS. Objective: To characterize 24-hour urine steroid metabolome in patients with MACS and determine circadian differences in urine steroid profiling and cortisol concentrations in patients with MACS versus referent subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study, 2018-2023. Setting: Referral center Participants: 72 patients with MACS and 72 age-, sex-, BMI-, and menopausal status-matched referent subjects. Measurements: Urine was collected over a 24-hour (h) period in separate day- and night-time collections. High-resolution mass spectrometry assay was used to measure 25 steroids. A subgroup of patients and referent subjects were admitted for every 2-hour serum measurement of free and total cortisol. Outcomes: Steroids, sums, and ratios Results: Patients with MACS had lower mcg/24h median androgens (2084 vs 3283, P<0.001), higher glucocorticoids (15754 vs 12936, P<0.001), and higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio (8.7 vs 3.9, P<0.001). Steroid day/night ratios were lower in patients when compared to referent subjects, reflecting a higher relative nocturnal steroid production in MACS. In a subgroup of 12 patients with MACS and 10 referent subjects, the 24-hour area under the curves for total and free cortisol were similar. However, nocturnal mean total (5.3 vs 4.0 mcg/dL, P=0.056) and free (0.2 vs 0.1 mcg/dL, P=0.035) cortisol were higher in patients vs referent subjects. Conclusion: Patients with MACS demonstrate an abnormal urine steroid metabolome, with a high glucocorticoid to androgen ratio, and a higher nocturnal steroid production. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. R. Nathani: None. J. Larson: None. V. Fell: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Surgical menopause due to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at a younger age is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. Aging is associated with abnormalities in steroid metabolome, most notably an increased glucocorticoid to androgen ratio (“adrenal aging”). We hypothesized that in postmenopausal women of the same age, the duration of menopause is associated with adrenal aging. Objective: To determine the differences in the adrenal steroid metabolome of women with a history of BSO as compared to age-matched women following natural menopause. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study in postmenopausal women with or without a history of BSO, between December 2020 to December 2022 Each participant collected 24-hour urine, which was analyzed for steroid profiling by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (25 steroids). Exclusion criteria were inability to collect a 24h urine sample, exogenous glucocorticoid use, advanced malignancy, and chronic opioid use. Primary endpoints were glucocorticoid/androgen ratio, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity (cortisol/cortisone, Tetrahydrocortisol (THF) + 5 α-tetrahydrocortisol (5 α-THF)/ Tetrahydrocortisone, THE) and 5 α-reductase type activity (Tetrahydrocortisol (THF)/5 α-tetrahydrocortisol (5 α-THF) and Etiocholanolone/Androsterone, Et/An). Results: A total of 245 women were enrolled: 124 women (median age of 66 years, IQR 63-72) with a history of BSO and 121 women (median age of 68 years, IQR 64-71) who underwent natural menopause (P=0.214). Median age at menopause was 44 years (IQR 41-46) in the BSO group, and 50 years (IQR 48-53) in the natural menopause group. History of hormone replacement therapy with estrogen was reported in 161 (66%) women, more frequently (92% vs 39%, P<0.001) and for a longer duration (median 12 years (IQR 6-16) vs 6 years (IQR 3-9), P<0.001) in in the BSO group, as compared to the natural menopause group. Although both groups had similar levels of urinary androgens (median 1387 vs 1686 mcg/24h, P=0.063) and total glucocorticoids (median 10877 vs 10277 mcg/24h, P=0.354), women with a history of BSO demonstrated a higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio (median 7.9 (IQR 5.0-11.1) vs 6.7 (4.3-9.9), P=0.014), and a lower Et/An ratio (median 1.4 vs 1.6, P=0.045), but not THF/5aTHF ratio (median 1.7 vs 1.8, P=0.380) in comparison to women with natural menopause. No differences were found in other ratios. Conclusion: Women with a history of BSO demonstrated a higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio in comparison to women undergoing natural menopause, suggestive of BSO-induced accelerated “adrenal aging”. Future studies need to examine associations between the abnormal steroid metabolome and increased cardiovascular morbidity, frailty, and mortality reported following BSO. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Abstract Context Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is diagnosed based on postdexamethasone cortisol >1.8 µg/dL. Scarce evidence exists on steroid circadian secretion and steroid metabolome in MACS. Objective To characterize 24-hour (h) urine steroid metabolome in patients with MACS and determine circadian differences in urine steroid profiling and cortisol concentrations in patients with MACS vs referent subjects. Methods Cross-sectional study, 2018-2023, at a referral center. Patients with MACS and age-, sex-, body mass index–, and menopausal status–matched referent subjects were included. Urine was collected over a 24 hour period as separate daytime and nighttime collections. High-resolution mass spectrometry assay was used to measure 25 steroids. A subgroup of patients and referent subjects was admitted for serum measurements of free and total cortisol every 2 hours. Outcomes were steroids, steroid sums, and ratios. Results Patients with MACS (n = 72) had lower µg/24 hour median androgens (2084 vs 3283, P < .001), higher glucocorticoids (15 754 vs 12936, P < .001), and higher glucocorticoid/androgen ratio (8.7 vs 3.9, P < .001) than referent subjects. Patients also had lower steroid day/night ratios than referent subjects, reflecting a higher relative nocturnal steroid production in MACS. In a subgroup of 12 patients with MACS and 10 referent subjects, the 24-hour areas under the curve for total and free serum cortisol were similar. However, evening mean total (5.3 vs 4.0 µg/dL, P = .056) and free (0.2 vs 0.1 µg/dL, P = .035) cortisol was higher in patients vs referent subjects. Conclusion Patients with MACS demonstrate an abnormal urine steroid metabolome, with a high glucocorticoid to androgen ratio, and a higher nocturnal steroid production.

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. R. Nathani: None. C. Zhang: None. M. Suresh: None. K. Thangamuthu: None. S. Singh: None. V. Fell: None. E.J. Atkinson: None. S. Achenbach: None. N.H. Stricker: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) have impaired cognition compared to patients with non-functioning adrenal adenomas. However, the impact of adrenalectomy on cognitive function in patients with MACS is unclear. Objective: To determine the impact of adrenalectomy on cognitive function in patients with MACS. Methods: Single-center prospective longitudinal study of adults with MACS. MACS was defined as serum cortisol >1.8 mcg/dL after the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in patients with adrenal adenomas without any overt features of hypercortisolism. Patients underwent cognitive evaluation using the standardized National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (7 tests of attention, episodic and working memory, language, executive function, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed) prior to adrenalectomy and at follow-up at least 10 months post-surgery. Fully corrected T-scores for age, sex, education, and race were compared using a paired t-test before and after adrenalectomy. A T-score of 50 is average performance (SD of 10). Total cognition is composite of fluid cognition (executive function, episodic memory, cognitive flexibility, working memory and processing speed) and crystallized cognition (language and vocabulary). Results: A total of 27 patients with MACS (median age 59.7 years, IQR 51.4-66.9, 17, 63% women) underwent cognitive evaluation prior to and at a median of 1.5 years (IQR, 1.1- 2.0) after adrenalectomy. Before surgery, median post-DST cortisol was 3.8 mcg/dL (IQR, 2.7-6.4) mcg/dL. Of the 27 patients, 21 (78%) patients developed post-operative adrenal insufficiency with 6 (21%) patients still requiring still requiring glucocorticoid replacement at the time of the last follow-up. At baseline, the mean total composite T-score was 50.7 (9.3), with fluid composite T-score of 49.9 (9.4) and crystallized composite T-score of 51.3 (8.7). Following adrenalectomy, all three composite T-scores improved compared to baseline. The crystallized composite T-score (composed of language and vocabulary) increased by a mean of 3.7 (5.5), P=0.001, the fluid composite T-score (composed of episodic, executive, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed) increased by a mean of 3.1 (8.3), P=0.068, and the total composite T-score improved by a mean of 3.9 (6.2), P=0.004. Conclusion: We showed that adrenalectomy in patients with MACS is associated with improvement in cognition. However, as test results may improve with practice (i.e., improvement due to taking the test the second time), to determine whether the improvements observed represent a reliable change in cognition, the next step is to evaluate for cognition score changes in referent subjects. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Abstract Disclosure: C.D. Zhang: None. S. Singh: None. J. Saini: None. M. Suresh: None. K. Thangamuthu: None. R. Nathani: None. A.L. Ebbehøj: None. V. Fell: None. S.J. Achenbach: None. E.J. Atkinson: None. S. Khosla: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) have higher rates of fractures compared to patients with non-functioning adrenal nodules, but bone mass is typically only modestly reduced. We hypothesized that chronic exposure to mild levels of cortisol excess may lead to a deterioration in bone quality. Objective: To characterize the effect of MACS on bone metabolism and bone microarchitecture, as measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Methods: In this cross-sectional single-center study, patients with MACS were matched by age, sex, and gonadal status to referent subjects without adrenal nodules. MACS was defined as serum cortisol concentration >1.8 mcg/dL after the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (1-mg DST), in the absence of a classic Cushingoid phenotype. Those with other known secondary causes of osteoporosis and/or on pharmacologic treatment for low bone mass were excluded. All study participants underwent a bone health interview, blood draw for bone turnover markers, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan with trabecular bone score (TBS), and HR-pQCT of the non-dominant radius and tibia. Participants with a recent fracture within 12 months were excluded from the analysis of bone turnover markers. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare measurements between groups. Results: A total of 82 patients with MACS and 82 referent subjects were prospectively enrolled between 1/2019 and 7/2022. The median age of study participants at the time of enrolment was 57 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47-65), and 57 (70%) were women. In the MACS cohort, the median cortisol following 1-mg DST was 3.2 mcg/dL (IQR, 2.3-6.5) with median ACTH of 8.7 pg/mL (IQR, 6.0-14.0) and median DHEA-S of 42.0 mcg/dL (IQR 23.0-68.0). While no differences in bone mineral density (BMD) were observed at any site (lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, or distal radius) between the two groups, patients with MACS had decreased TBS (1.374 vs 1.467, P <0.001) and lower osteocalcin concentrations (16.9 vs. 19.7 ng/mL, P = 0.005) than referent subjects without adrenal nodules. On HR-pQCT at the tibia, patients with MACS had significantly reduced trabecular volumetric BMD (151.6 vs 167.4 mg hydroxyapatite/cm3, P = 0.002), trabecular bone volume/tissue volume ratio (0.219 vs 0.237, P = 0.011), and number of trabeculae (1.428 vs 1.506 1/mm, P = 0.045), while trabecular separation (0.707 vs 0.656, P = 0.023) was increased compared to referent subjects. Conclusions: Patients with MACS have altered bone metabolism and microstructural deterioration that is not evident on routine DXA BMD testing. These changes may mediate their increased fracture risk and could serve as biomarkers of cortisol-induced changes in the bone. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. R. Nathani: None. S. Singh: None. V. Fell: None. E. Atkinson: None. S. Achenbach: None. S. Khosla: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Previous studies reported that both cortisol secretion and bone metabolism biomarkers follow a circadian pattern of secretion. Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) demonstrate an increased risk of fractures. As most patients with MACS do not have increased cortisol production, we hypothesized that abnormal circadian cortisol secretion is associated with impaired bone metabolism. Objective: To compare the circadian secretory pattern of bone metabolism biomarkers in relation to cortisol circadian secretion in patients with MACS versus referent subjects. Methods: We conducted a pilot cross-sectional study of patients with MACS and referent subjects. MACS was diagnosed in patients with adrenal adenomas based on an abnormal 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (cortisol >1.8 mcg/dL). Referent subjects with available abdominal imaging within 5 years and adrenal disorder were recruited from the community. Participants were admitted to the clinical research unit for blood sampling every 2 hours over 24h period. Measurements included total and free cortisol, calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, amino-terminal propeptide type 1 collagen (PINP), and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX). Subjects with disorders or medication affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Time periods of blood draw were categorized into the morning (6 to 12 hours), afternoon (14-18 hours) and night (20-2 hours). Delta (morning measurements/afternoon measurements) was calculated. Results: Subjects included 12 patients with MACS (median age 57, IQR 48-67, 83% women) and 10 referent subjects (median age 57, IQR 50-63, 80% women). The 24-hour area under the curve for total (10342 vs 9090 mcg/dL, p=0.468) and free cortisol (437 vs 329 mcg/dL, p=0.086) was no different between patients with MACS and referent subjects. However, the mean night total (6.7 vs 4.3 mcg/dL, p=0.056) and free cortisol (0.2 vs 0.1 mcg/dL, p=0.035) was higher in MACS vs referent subjects. The area under the curve for calcium, phosphorus, CTX, osteocalcin and PINP were similar between patients and referent subjects, however, the area under the curve for PTH was higher in patients vs referent subjects (mean 64179 vs 42602 pg/mL, p=0.021). Both delta total cortisol (mean 8.6 vs 5.5, p=0.01) and delta PTH (mean -1.5 vs 4.2, p=0.051) was higher in referent subjects vs patients with MACS. Conclusion: When compared to referent subjects, patients with MACS have similar 24-hour cortisol production but demonstrate an increase in night-time cortisol secretion and a blunting of diurnal cortisol (lower morning/afternoon cortisol). Patients with MACS have higher PTH production overall, as well as an abnormal diurnal PTH secretion. Noted abnormalities in PTH may contribute to the MACS-associated impairment in bone health. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023