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[Endocrinologic findings in Crohn's disease]
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|February 14, 1981
Summary
Pituitary function in Crohn's disease patients showed no overall deficiencies. However, many patients exhibited disrupted cortisol rhythms and reduced testosterone levels, independent of disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Potential endocrine dysfunctions in Crohn's disease patients require further investigation.
- Anterior pituitary function is crucial for regulating various bodily processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess anterior pituitary gland function in patients with Crohn's disease before steroid therapy.
- To investigate specific hormonal functions including corticotropic, thyrotropic, gonadotropic, and somatotropic axes.
- To correlate observed pituitary function abnormalities with Crohn's disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated partial functions of the anterior pituitary gland in 45 Crohn's disease patients.
- Measured serum cortisol levels to assess diurnal rhythm.
- Assessed triiodothyronine (T3) levels, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) response.
- Correlated hormonal findings with radiological and endoscopic/histological disease activity.
Main Results:
- No deficiencies were found in corticotropic, thyrotropic, gonadotropic, or somatotropic functions.
- 63% of patients lacked a typical diurnal cortisol secretion rhythm.
- Reduced T3 levels were observed in approximately 25% of patients.
- 43% of males had reduced basal testosterone levels, with 4 out of 14 showing insufficient response to HCG.
- Elevated basal LH levels were found in 50% of males.
- Cortisol rhythm disruption and Leydig's cell insufficiency did not correlate with disease activity.
Conclusions:
- While overall anterior pituitary function appears preserved in Crohn's disease, specific abnormalities in cortisol secretion and gonadal function are prevalent.
- Disrupted diurnal cortisol rhythm and Leydig's cell insufficiency are common findings in Crohn's disease patients.
- These endocrine alterations do not appear to be directly linked to the current activity of the disease.