rss
Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:1677-1680 doi:10.1136/ard.2003.018325
  • Concise report

Pituitary function in patients with newly diagnosed untreated systemic lupus erythematosus

  1. M D Köller1,
  2. E Templ2,
  3. M Riedl2,
  4. M Clodi2,
  5. O Wagner3,
  6. J S Smolen1,
  7. A Luger2
  1. 1Clinic for Internal Medicine III, Department of Rheumatology, University of Vienna, Austria
  2. 2Clinic for Internal Medicine III, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Vienna, Austria
  3. 3Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostic, University of Vienna, Austria
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr M D Köller
    Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Rheumatology, General Hospital, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Marcus.Koellermeduniwien.ac.at
  • Accepted 10 March 2004
  • Published Online First 13 April 2004

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether hormonal dysfunction involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, prolactin (PRL) secretion, and sex hormone status contribute to development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: 11 patients with SLE and 9 healthy controls were tested for their total anterior pituitary gland reserve by simultaneous injection of corticotropin-, growth hormone- (GH), thyrotropin-, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Serum concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, GH, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), PRL, luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured at baseline and after injection. Baseline values of oestradiol, testosterone, and thyroxine were determined.

Results: Basal and stimulated serum concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, GH, and PRL were similar in both groups. In contrast, despite similar basal thyroxine levels the TSH response to TRH was significantly higher in patients than in controls. LH and FSH levels in premenopausal female patients of both groups were identical. In contrast, two of the three male patients were hypogonadal without compensatory increases of basal LH and FSH levels, but they retained excessive stimulatory capacity in response to GnRH.

Conclusion: No significant alteration of the HPA axis was found in patients with SLE, which is inadequate in view of the continuing inflammation. GH and PRL secretion were normal. The pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-gonadal axes were affected in patients with newly diagnosed, untreated SLE.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF
    4. All versions of this article:
      1. ard.2003.018325v1
      2. 63/12/1677 most recent

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.