Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Venous thromboembolism in patients with pituitary adenoma: UK multicentre cohort study
Kristina Isand1,2,3, Riccardo Pofi4, Oliver Haermson2
1Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, Tartu 50090, Estonia.
Objective:
This study aims to assess risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) compared to acromegaly and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and to investigate the timing and risk factors for VTE.
Design:
This is a retrospective, observational cohort study.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with acromegaly, NFPA, or CD across 3 UK centres between 2010 and 2021 were included. χ² and Cox regression were performed to compare VTE cumulative incidence and examine associations with clinical factors.
Results:
Among 827 patients (107 CD, 502 NFPA, 218 acromegaly), the cumulative incidence of VTE was 11.2% in CD, 0.4% in NFPA, and 2.7% in acromegaly. Follow-up time was similar across diagnostic groups (median ∼13.3-13.5 years, P = .41), allowing valid comparison of VTE incidence and Cox regression modelling. Patients with CD had significantly higher VTE risk compared to those with NFPA (odds ratio [OR] 21.05, P < .001) and acromegaly (OR 4.48, P = .002). Cox regression showed that CD diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 46.87, P < .001) and history of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (HR 3.48, P = .008) were significantly associated with VTE. In patients with CD, there were 12 VTEs recorded, with most (8/12) occurring within 1 year of CD diagnosis. Notably, 4 VTEs occurred within 45 days post-transsphenoidal surgery.
Conclusion:
Patients with CD exhibit a significantly elevated risk of VTE compared to those with acromegaly or NFPA, with diabetes mellitus independently associated with this risk. In CD, VTEs were more frequently diagnosed around the time of diagnosis and during the peri-operative period.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
The Pituitary Gland
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

