Delivanis, Danae A.

Abstract Disclosure: B. Salama: None. M. Bassiony: None. J. Saini: None. P. Dogra: None. E. Atkinson: None. J. Larson: None. I. Vodanovic: None. D. Kastelan: None. D.A. Delivanis: None. J. Hubska: None. U. Ambroziak: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Patients with Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS) demonstrate a high prevalence of frailty, however, no data are available on the impact of management on frailty progression. Objectives: To determine the impact of conservative vs surgical management on and the progression of frailty in patients with MACS. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with (MACS), primary aldosteronism (PA), or non-functioning adrenal adenomas (NFA) between June 2020 and April 2025. Participants completed standardized frailty assessment (frailty index) at baseline and annually. Results: A total of 691 patients were included: 253 with MACS (median age 62 years, 73% women, 230 with NFA (median age 62 years, 67% women), and 208 with PA (median age 54 years, 50% women). At baseline, prevalence of frailty was highest patients with MACS (39%), followed by patients with PA (31%) and NFA (24%). Frailty was reassessed at 1 year post baseline in 189 patients with NFA (22% frail, median frailty index of 0.17) and 116 patients with MACS (27% frail, median frailty index of 0.16) managed conservatively, as well as in 108 patients with MACS treated with adrenalectomy (49% frail, median frailty score of 0.24). Conservatively treated patients with MACS and those treated with adrenalectomy had similar post-dexamethasone cortisol (median 2.9 mcg/dL vs 3.1 mcg/dL, p=0.396), but were older (median age 65 years vs 58 years, p=0.001) At one year follow up, patients with MACS treated with adrenalectomy demonstrated an improvement in frailty when compared to conservative management (delta frailty index: Est of −0.044, p = 0.004), after adjusting for age and sex. In contrast, when compared to conservatively managed patients with NFA, conservatively managed patients with MACS demonstrated worse frailty at 1 year follow up (delta frailty index: Est of 0.028, p = 0.013). Conclusion: In comparison to patients with NFA, conservatively managed patients with MACS demonstrated worse frailty at 1 year follow up. In contrast, adrenalectomy in patients with MACS led to improvement of frailty. Frailty index could be valuable to identify patients most likely to benefit from adrenalectomy. Patients with higher baseline frailty scores were more likely to undergo adrenalectomy, Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Bilateral adrenal masses, increasingly encountered in clinical practice, manifest across diverse contexts, including incidental discovery, malignancy staging, and targeted imaging after hormonal diagnosis of adrenal disorders. The spectrum encompasses various pathologies, such as cortical adenomas, macronodular adrenal disease, pheochromocytomas, myelolipomas, infiltrative disorders, and primary and secondary malignancies. Notably, not all masses in both adrenal glands necessarily share the same etiology, often exhibiting diverse causes. Recently, the European Society of Endocrinology and the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors updated guidelines, introduced a 4-option schema based on imaging, aiding in targeted hormonal testing and management. This “Approach to the Patient” review delves into the latest advancements in imaging, biochemical, and genetic approaches for the diagnostic and management nuances of bilateral adrenal masses. It provides insights and a contemporary framework for navigating the complexities associated with this clinical entity.

Abstract Objective Frailty, characterized by multi-system decline, increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes and can be measured using Frailty Index (FI). We aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty in patients with adrenal disorders (based on hormonal sub-type) and examine association between FI and performance-based measures of physical function. Design Multi-centre, cross-sectional study (March 2019-August 2022). Methods Adult patients with adrenal disorders (non-functioning adrenal adenomas [NFA], mild autonomous cortisol secretion [MACS], Cushing syndrome [CS], primary aldosteronism [PA]) and referent subjects without adrenal disorders completed a questionnaire encompassing 47 health variables (comorbidities, symptoms, daily living activities). FI was calculated as the average score of all variables and frailty defined as FI ≥ 0.25. Physical function was assessed with hand grip, timed up-and-go test, chair rising test, 6-minute walk test, and gait speed. Results Compared to referent subjects (n = 89), patients with adrenal disorders (n = 520) showed increased age, sex, and body mass index-adjusted prevalence of frailty (CS [odds ratio—OR 19.2, 95% confidence interval—CI 6.7-70], MACS [OR 12.5, 95% CI 4.8-42.9], PA [OR 8.4, 95% CI 2.9-30.4], NFA [OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-15.9]). Prevalence of frailty was similar to referent subjects when post-dexamethasone cortisol was <28 nmol/L and was higher when post-dexamethasone cortisol was 28-50 nmol/L (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.7-16.5). FI correlated with all measures of physical function (P < .001). Conclusions Whilst frailty prevalence was highest in patients with adrenocortical hormone excess, even patients with NFA demonstrated an increased prevalence compared to the referent population. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the impact of various management strategies on frailty.

Abstract Introduction Limited data suggest low bone density in patients with adrenal adenomas. However, most studies are retrospective, single-center, and none were conducted in the United States. We aimed to determine the impact of cortisol and aldosterone excess on bone density. Methods We conducted a preliminary analysis of data from our multicenter, prospective observational study of adult patients with adrenocortical hormone excess and referent subjects without adrenal disorders (January 2019 - March 2022). Patients were diagnosed with non-functioning adenomas (NFA), adenomas with mild autonomous cortisol secretion, MACS (defined as cortisol following an overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST)>1.8 mcg/dL), adrenal or pituitary Cushing syndrome (CS), primary aldosteronism (PA), and concomitant PA-MACS. Referent subjects were patients undergoing cross-sectional imaging for reasons other than adrenal disease. All participants were interviewed about their bone health, and had bone density measurements at the spine, hips, and/or radius. Bone disease was defined as osteopenia (T-score -1.1 to -2.4), or osteoporosis (T-score < -2.5). Results A total of 417 participants included 156 referent subjects (88, 56% women, median age 65, range 2-95 years) and 261 patients (190, 73% women, median age 59, range 21-88 years). Patients were diagnosed with NFA (51, 19%), PA (46, 17%), MACS (122, 47%), PA-MACS (12, 5%), and CS (30,12%). When compared to referent subjects, sex- and age-adjusted analysis demonstrated an increased prevalence of bone disease only in patients with CS (OR 4.8, 95%CI 1.7-13), but not in other adrenal disorders. After excluding patients with CS, those with post-DST cortisol >5 mcg/dL demonstrated a higher prevalence of bone disease when compared to patients with post-DST cortisol between 1.8-5 mcg/dL (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.5) and those with post-DST cortisol <1.8 mcg/dL (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.7). Patients with MACS and post-DST cortisol between 1.8-5 mcg/dL did not demonstrate increased sex and age-adjusted prevalence of bone disease compared to those with post-DST <1.8 mcg/dL or referent subjects. However, using post-DST cortisol as a continuous variable, we found that after adjusting for sex and age, the risk of bone disease in patients increased by 13% (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.6-1.2) for every 1 mcg/dL increase in post-DST cortisol. Conclusions The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis increases proportional to the increase in post-DST cortisol concentrations. Patients with CS, and those with MACS and post-DST cortisol > 5mcg/dL have the highest prevalence of bone disease. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Purpose of review To discuss the most recent findings on the pathophysiology, the genetic and molecular causes of primary bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (PBAH). The diagnostic approach of patients with PBAH will also be presented in detail with an emphasis on the emerging diagnostic tools and finally, the treatment of PBAH will be discussed with an emphasis on the newest surgical and medical treatment approaches. Recent findings PBAH is a highly heterogeneous condition mostly detected incidentally on abdominal imaging. Based on the size of the nodules, PBAH is subdivided into primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) and micronodular adrenal hyperplasia. A substantial proportion of patients with PBMAH harbor a germline mutation of the armadillo repeat containing 5 tumor suppression gene and therefore genetic testing is strongly recommended. Measurements of plasma or urinary multisteroid profiles show promising results in that PBMAH has a distinctive plasma steroid fingerprint that can help in diagnosis and subtyping of PBMAH. Finally, although surgery is the mainstay of treatment of patients with PBAH, medical therapy is increasingly emerging as an alternative option. Summary PBAH is a poorly studied and therefore a challenging disease to diagnose and treat. Hopefully with these newest diagnostic and therapeutic tools, a more comprehensive approach will be adopted.

AbstractContextLymphocytic hypophysitis (LyHy) is characterized by inflammation of the pituitary and or neuroinfundibulum and is uncommon. Treatment options include observation, high-dose glucocorticoids (HD-GCs) or surgery. Optimal first-line management strategy, however, remains unknown.ObjectiveThis work aimed to assess response to first-line treatment options (observation, HD-GCs, or surgery) of clinically relevant outcomes (symptomatic, hormonal, and radiographic improvement) among patients with LyHy.MethodsA systematic review was conducted in 6 databases through 2020. Meta-analysis was conducted when feasible using a random-effects model.ResultsWe included 33 studies reporting on 591 patients (423 women, 72%) with LyHy. Improvement/resolution of anterior pituitary dysfunction was highest when HD-GCs was first-line treatment. Surgery was associated with the greatest proportion of patients who had regression on imaging. Subgroup analysis comparing HD-GCs to observation showed the odds of anterior pituitary hormone recovery (OR 3.41; 95% CI, 1.68-6.94) or radiographic regression (OR 3.13; 95% CI, 1.54-6.36) were higher with HD-GCs, but so was the need for additional forms of treatment (OR 4.37; 95% CI, 1.70-11.22). No statistically significant difference was seen in recovery of diabetes insipidus (OR 0.9; 95% CI, 0.26-3.10). Certainty in these estimates was very low.ConclusionObservation and use of HD-GCs both are successful first-line management strategies in LyHy. Although use of HD-GCs was associated with increased recovery of anterior pituitary hormone deficit, it also was associated with greater likelihood of additional treatment after withdrawal. Optimal dosing and duration of HD-GCs remains unknown.

The role of adipose tissue (AT) inflammation in AT function in humans is unclear. We tested whether AT macrophage (ATM) content, cytokine gene expression, and senescent cell burden (markers of AT inflammation) predict AT insulin resistance measured as the insulin concentration that suppresses lipolysis by 50% (IC50). We studied 86 volunteers with normal weight or obesity at baseline and a subgroup of 25 volunteers with obesity before and after weight loss. There was a strong positive relationship between IC50 and abdominal subcutaneous and femoral fat cell size (FCS). The positive, univariate relationships between IC50 and abdominal AT inflammatory markers CD68, CD14, CD206 ATM/100 adipocytes, senescent cells, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA were not significant after adjustment for FCS. A 10% weight loss significantly reduced IC50; however, there was no reduction in adipose ATM content, senescent cells, or cytokine gene expression. Our study suggests that commonly used markers of AT inflammation are not causally linked to AT insulin resistance, whereas FCS is a strong predictor of AT insulin resistance with respect to lipolysis.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a dismal prognosis and a high rate of recurrence and mortality. Therapeutic options are limited. In some cases, the distinction of ACCs from benign adrenal neoplasms with the existing widely available pathological and histopathological tools is difficult. Thus, new biomarkers have been tested. We conducted a review of the recent literature on the advances of the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic role of miRNAs on ACC patients. More than 10 miRNAs validated by multiple studies were found to present a diagnostic and prognostic role for ACC patients, from which miR-483-5p and miR-195 were the most frequently met biomarkers. In particular, upregulation of miR-483-5p and downregulation of miR-195 were the most commonly validated molecular alterations. Unfortunately, data on the therapeutic role of miRNA are still scarce and limited mainly at the experimental level. Thus, the role of miRNA regulation in ACC remains an area of active research.

Objective Increased visceral fat and sarcopenia are cardiovascular risk factors that may explain increased cardiovascular morbidity and frailty in patients with adrenal adenomas. Our objective was to compare body composition measurement of patients with adrenal adenomas to referent subjects without adrenal disease. Design Cross-sectional study, 2014–2018. Methods Participants were adults with nonfunctioning adrenal tumor (NFAT), mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), and Cushing syndrome (CS) and age, sex, and BMI 1:1 matched referent subjects without adrenal disorders. Main outcome measures were body composition measurements calculated from abdominal CT imaging. Intra-abdominal adipose tissue and muscle mass measurements were performed at the third lumbar spine level. Results Of 227 patients with adrenal adenomas, 20 were diagnosed with CS, 76 with MACS, and 131 with NFAT. Median age was 56 years (range: 18–89), and 67% were women. When compared to referent subjects, patients with CS, MACS, and NFAT demonstrated a higher visceral fat (odds ratio (OR): 2.2 (95% CI: 0.9–6.5), 2.0 (1.3–3.2), and 1.8 (1.2–2.7) and a lower skeletal muscle area (OR: 0.01 (95% CI: 0–0.09), 0.31 (0.18–0.49), and 0.3 (1.2–2.7)) respectively. For every 1 µg/dL cortisol increase after overnight dexamethasone, visceral fat/muscle area ratio increased by 2.3 ( P = 0.02) and mean total skeletal muscle area decreased by 2.2 cm 2 ( P = 0.03). Conclusion Patients with adrenal adenomas demonstrate a lower muscle mass and a higher proportion of visceral fat when compared to referent subjects, including patients with NFAT. Even a subtle abnormality in cortisol secretion may impact health of patients with adenomas.

Abstract Introduction: The influence of the immune system on follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer behavior has been suggested by various studies but this information has not been comprehensively translated into a prediction for thyroid cancer prognosis. We aimed to identify circulating immune cell profiles associated with thyroid cancer prognosis. This information would be a significant advance in the field of thyroid cancer management. Methods: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study of 32 follicular-cell derived thyroid cancer patients enrolled at the time of initial or subsequent surgery. We performed peripheral blood multi-parameter flow cytometry and collected relevant clinicopathologic, biochemical and radiologic data. We classified patients based on the AJCC TNM cancer stage, American Thyroid Association (ATA) initial risk of recurrence, and status of disease during follow-up. Results: On initial immunophenotyping, patients with aggressive/advanced thyroid cancer (ATA high risk vs. intermediate/low risk; AJCC stage 3/4 vs. 1/2; recurrence or distant metastases vs. no evidence of disease during follow-up) demonstrated increased circulating monocytes and granulocytes but decreased all lymphocytes, T cells (specifically CD4+ and gamma delta) and natural killer (NK) T-like cells. Further immunophenotyping revealed that aggressive/advanced thyroid cancer had increased circulating CD4+CD45+RO effector memory but decreased CD4+CD45+RA central memory T cells and increased regulatory T cells. Stage 3/4 thyroid cancer patients additionally had increased circulating CD33+HLADR- myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as compared to stage1/2. Conclusions: Aggressive thyroid cancer at presentation (AJCC stage, ATA risk category) or during follow-up (distant metastases) is characterized by a circulating immunophenotype comprising of increased immune suppressor cells (regulatory T cells, MDSCs, effector memory T cells) but decreased immune activator cells (CD4+ T cells, gamma delta T cells, NK T-like cells, central memory T cells) as compared to less aggressive thyroid cancer. This circulating immunophenotype may serve as a biomarker for cancer prognosis and guide the selection and development of novel immunotherapies for advanced thyroid cancer.