Han, Ashley J

Abstract Disclosure: A.J. Han: None. S.J. Achenbach: None. B.J. Atkinson: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: The prevalence of adrenal adenomas continues to rise with increased utilization of imaging. However, much remains unknown about what risk factors may predispose individuals to develop adrenal adenomas. In this study, we aimed to identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with development of adrenal adenomas. Methods: Historical case-control population study was performed. Patients diagnosed with adrenal adenoma between 2005-2017 with no evidence of overt hormone excess were paired with age- and sex-matched individuals without a diagnosis of adrenal adenoma who had a CT/MRI scan performed within 5 years prior to index date. The prevalence of various social and metabolic risk factors present within 10 years prior to index date (date of adrenal adenoma diagnosis) was compared. Results: Total of 670 patients (median age 63, IQR 53-74 years, 56% women) with adrenal adenomas were identified. At 10 years prior to index date, patients with adrenal adenomas had a higher body mass index (BMI) (median 30.1 vs 28.2 kg/m2, p<0.001), lower socioeconomic status (SES) based on Area Deprivation Index (36.2% with national percentile score >50 vs 30.9%, p=0.037), and more tobacco use (70.2% vs 61.4%, p=0.001), compared to referent subjects. Patients also had a higher prevalence of diabetes (17.5% vs 11.7%, p=0.003) 5-10 years prior to index date, but no difference in prevalence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, or heart failure was observed between groups. Based on multivariable analysis, increased BMI and tobacco use 10 years prior to index date was associated with increased odds of adrenal adenoma diagnosis with odds ratio (OR) of 1.18 (95% Confidence Interval 1.06-1.32) and 1.41 (1.06-1.87), respectively. Conclusions: Compared to controls, patients with adrenal adenoma were more likely to be obese, have lower SES, endorse tobacco use, and demonstrate evidence of impaired glucose metabolism at least 5-10 years prior to diagnosis. In particular, increased BMI and prior tobacco use was associated with increased odds of adrenal adenoma diagnosis. Further exploration of these intricate relationships may help identify modifiable risk factors for development of adrenal adenomas. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Abstract Objective Increased frequency of neuroimaging has led to enhanced identification of small nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) leading, in many cases, to extensive follow-up. However, the value of ongoing monitoring of these incidental lesions remains unclear. The study aims to determine the need for surgical intervention and assess the risks of developing new endocrinopathies during follow-up in patients with conservatively treated micro-NFPAs. Design A systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Methods We conducted a bibliographical search of PubMed and EMBASE to identify relevant studies. Authors of eligible studies were invited to share IPD. Cohort studies including patients with conservatively treated micro-NFPAs with at least 1 follow-up magnetic resonance imaging were considered eligible. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Six authors provided IPD (N = 647). Data were reanalyzed for verification. In cases of discrepancies the original authors were contacted for authentication. Results Risk estimates were reported as number of events per 100 person-years (PYs). Estimates were pooled using the 2-step approach. Overall probability of surgery was 0.2/100 PYs (95% CI: 0.0-0.4; I2 = 28%). Probability of surgery due to visual impairment was 0.1/100 PYs (95% CI: 0.0-0.2; I2 = 0%). Both were independent of baseline tumor size (≥6 or <6 mm), sex, or age (P values >.40). Risk of developing a new endocrinopathy was 1.0/100 PYs (95% CI: 0.4-1.6; I2 = 0%). Data for classical meta-analysis were available for 7 studies (N = 1089) and supported the IPD results. Conclusions These data suggest that routine follow-up of micro-NFPAs can be reduced significantly and that available guidelines should be revisited.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to identify social/metabolic risk factors associated with subsequent diagnosis of adrenal adenoma Design The design is a population-based historical case–control study. Methods Cases were adult patients diagnosed with an adrenal adenoma between 2005 and 2017 with no overt hormone excess. Controls were age- and sex-matched individuals with (1) no diagnosis of adrenal adenoma and (2) no diagnosis of adrenal adenoma with cross-sectional imaging of the chest/abdomen performed within 5 years prior to index date. The frequency of various social/metabolic risk factors present 5-10 years prior to index date and odds ratios (ORs) for adrenal adenoma diagnosis were reported. Results Six hundred seventy cases identified (median age 63 years old, 56% women). During the 5-10 years prior to index date, patients with adrenal adenomas had higher prevalence of obesity (56.7% vs 49.3%, P = .007), low socioeconomic status (36.7% vs 31.1%, P = .039), tobacco use (70.2% vs 61.4%, P = .001), and diabetes (17.5% vs 11.7%, P = .003) compared to controls with prior imaging. No difference in prevalence of hypertension, substance use, chronic kidney disease, or combined cardiovascular events was observed. Based on a multivariable analysis, increased body mass index (BMI) and tobacco use were associated with increased odds of adrenal adenoma diagnosis with ORs 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.32) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.06-1.87), respectively. Conclusions Compared to controls with prior imaging, patients with adrenal adenoma had higher prevalence of obesity, low socioeconomic status, tobacco use, and diabetes 5-10 years prior to index date. In particular, increased BMI and tobacco use were independent risk factors associated with increased odds of adrenal adenoma diagnosis.

Abstract Context Data on diagnostic accuracy of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) for mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) and adrenal insufficiency (AI) are discrepant. Objective We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies assessing the accuracy of DHEA-S in diagnosing MACS or AI. Methods From inception to January 8, 2024, we searched databases for original studies of at least 20 participants with MACS or AI. MACS was defined as postdexamethasone cortisol greater than 1.8 mcg/dL or postsurgical hypocortisolism. AI was defined by abnormal dynamic testing. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the risk of bias. Bivariate random effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates. Results Seven studies on DHEA-S accuracy in diagnosing MACS (574 patients with MACS, 830 referent individuals), and 2 studies on DHEA-S accuracy in diagnosing AI (52 patients with AI, 59 referent individuals) were included. A meta-analysis of studies using DHEA-S cutoff between 60 and 70 mcg/dL to diagnose MACS demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI, 64%-93%) and a specificity of 82% (95% CI, 74%-88%). In the 2 studies evaluating DHEA-S in diagnosing AI, the reference standard was a 1-mcg cosyntropin stimulation test. The sensitivity of DHEA-S for diagnosing AI ranged from 70.3% to 86.7%, and the specificity was 87.1%. Most studies were at a moderate risk of bias. Conclusion Based on limited heterogeneous evidence, measurement of DHEA-S provides additional value in diagnosing MACS, as well as AI.

Abstract Context Diagnosing adrenal insufficiency (AI) often requires complex testing, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a promising marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function; however, its diagnostic performance has not yet been evaluated in a large-scale study. Objective Evaluate the performance of DHEAS and baseline cortisol in assessing AI. Design Single-center retrospective cohort study. Setting Referral center. Patients Adults who underwent cosyntropin stimulation testing (CST) between 2005 and 2023 and had DHEAS measured within 3 months prior to CST. Main Outcome Measures Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for DHEAS and baseline cortisol. Prevalence of AI based on various DHEAS and baseline cortisol concentrations. Results Among 1135 patients, 195 (17.2%) had AI. Both baseline cortisol and DHEAS independently had good diagnostic performance with AUROC 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-0.84 and 0.81 (95% CI 0.78-0.85)], respectively. Time of CST performance had no significant effect on diagnostic accuracy of baseline cortisol while recent glucocorticoid use decreased diagnostic performance of DHEAS (AUROC 0.72 vs 0.83). Only 1.2% of patients with baseline cortisol ≥10 mcg/dL had AI based on CST. Among patients with baseline cortisol between 5 and 9.9 mcg/dL, only 1.3% had AI if DHEAS was ≥60 mcg/dL. Conversely, the majority (72.2%) of patients with both baseline cortisol <5 mcg/dL and DHEAS <25 mcg/dL were found to have AI. Conclusion DHEAS has good diagnostic performance in assessing AI. Measuring both baseline cortisol and DHEAS concentrations may eliminate the need for further dynamic testing in many patients.

Abstract Disclosure: A.J. Han: None. S.J. Achenbach: None. B.J. Atkinson: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI) is often delayed due to its vague and non-specific symptomatology. As classic symptoms of AI such as fatigue and nausea are prevalent in the general population, identifying clinical features that are more specific to AI may help clinicians determine which patients require additional testing. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was performed of patients who underwent outpatient Cosyntropin stimulation testing (CST) between 2005-2018. Patients with oral glucocorticoid or estrogen use within 2 months of CST, and patients without available Current Visit Information (CVI) form at the time of CST were excluded. Presence of symptoms was obtained from CVI, and laboratory findings were electronically extracted. Adrenal insufficiency was defined as post-CST peak cortisol <18 mcg/dL. Morbidity was assessed using the Elixhauser index. Variables for multivariable analysis were defined a priori and included fatigue, dizziness, muscle pain, joint pain, weight loss >10 pounds, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and hyponatremia. Results: Among 5347 patients who underwent CST, 376 (7.0%) of patients were found to have AI. There were no sex differences between patients with and without AI, however patients with AI were slightly older (median age 48.9 vs 47.1 years, p=0.026), and had a higher median BMI (26.5 vs 25.6 kg/m2, p=0.002). Prevalence of comorbidities was similar between the two groups, with a median Elixhauser index of 1 (IQR 1-3), however, patients with AI were more likely to report difficulties with activities of daily living (69% vs 57%, p<0.001). Hyponatremia was diagnosed in 4% of patients with AI and 3% of those without AI, p=0.208. Although patients in our cohort reported a high prevalence of fatigue (79%), dizziness (50%), joint pain (50%), muscle pain (48%), nausea (40%), abdominal pain (39%), and weight loss in the past 6 months (29%), there were no statistically significant differences in reported symptoms between patients with and without AI with the exception of joint pain (59% vs 49%, p<0.001) and muscle pain (54% vs 47%, p=0.009). Based on multivariable analysis, only joint pain (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.14-1.99) and weight loss >10 pounds in the past 6 months (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02-1.68) were associated with higher odds of AI diagnosis. Interestingly, patients who reported fatigue had lower odds of AI diagnosis on CST (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.88). Conclusions: Commonly associated symptoms of AI such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain were poor predictors of AI diagnosis based on CST. Consequently, the presence of these symptoms alone may not warrant additional testing. Notably, clinical features such as myalgia, arthralgia, and weight loss >10 pounds in the past 6 months were found to be more predictive of AI. Presentation: 6/1/2024