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Published on: January 17, 2018
Hyperprolactinaemia in males with and without pituitary macroadenomas
Lancet (London, England)
|July 17, 1982
Summary
Pituitary macroadenomas in hyperprolactinemic men are not necessarily the late stage of impotence, as macroadenoma patients were older and had longer-term impotence. Bromocriptine treatment showed varied efficacy in restoring testosterone and potency.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Urology
Background:
- Hyperprolactinemia is associated with impotence and hypogonadism.
- Pituitary macroadenomas can cause hyperprolactinemia and hypopituitarism.
- The natural history of hyperprolactinemic impotence and the role of macroadenomas require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pituitary macroadenomas in hyperprolactinemic men represent an end-stage disease with impotence as the sole early symptom.
- To compare clinical features of hyperprolactinemic men with and without pituitary macroadenomas.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of two groups of hyperprolactinemic men: 16 with pituitary macroadenomas and 10 without.
- Assessment of clinical features including age, duration of impotence, visual field defects, hypopituitarism, and presenting symptoms.
- Evaluation of treatment response to bromocriptine regarding prolactin, testosterone, and potency.
Main Results:
- The macroadenoma group was older and had a longer duration of impotence.
- Visual field defects and hypopituitarism were significantly more prevalent in the macroadenoma group.
- Bromocriptine treatment was less effective in restoring testosterone and potency in the macroadenoma group compared to the non-macroadenoma group.
Conclusions:
- Pituitary macroadenomas in hyperprolactinemic men are not solely an end-stage of impotence.
- Patients with macroadenomas present with more severe disease, including visual and pituitary compromise.
- Treatment outcomes with bromocriptine suggest distinct disease pathways and prognoses.
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