About this Research Topic
Incidentally discovered adrenal masses (AI) are reported in nearly 3% of middle aged and almost 10% of older patients undergoing abdominal imaging. Most of these tumors are benign and nonfunctioning, but up to 48% of patients exhibit mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). This condition is also known as the subclinical Cushing’s syndrome (SCS), subclinical hypercortisolism, mild autonomous cortisol excess (MACE), or (possible) autonomous cortisol secretion ((P)ACS).
Most frequent comorbidities in patients with AI are hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and bone fragility. Mental health issues such as depression and lower quality of life are reported as well.
Recent studies have demonstrated that AI patients, especially those with ACS, have an increased cardiometabolic burden, however it is still unclear which treatment strategies are the most effective. Also, it has been shown that AI affect more women than men and that there is a clear sexual dimorphism when it comes to adrenal tumors. The preference of adrenal tumors for female sex has been intriguing endocrinologists for some time now. Besides insulin and aberrant receptors, the involvement of LH has been studied and proposed as one of the contributing factors. Yet, this question still needs to be elucidated.
This Research Topic seeks to explore the relationship between AI – nonfunctioning and hormone secreting, mild and overt (cortisol, aldosterone, catecholamines), and comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bone fragility, mental health issues, and QoL. Of particular interest are recommended follow-up strategies, medical and surgical treatment, and studies exploring the sexual dimorphism of adrenal tumors. We welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, and perspective articles covering these themes.
Most frequent comorbidities in patients with AI are hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and bone fragility. Mental health issues such as depression and lower quality of life are reported as well.
Recent studies have demonstrated that AI patients, especially those with ACS, have an increased cardiometabolic burden, however it is still unclear which treatment strategies are the most effective. Also, it has been shown that AI affect more women than men and that there is a clear sexual dimorphism when it comes to adrenal tumors. The preference of adrenal tumors for female sex has been intriguing endocrinologists for some time now. Besides insulin and aberrant receptors, the involvement of LH has been studied and proposed as one of the contributing factors. Yet, this question still needs to be elucidated.
This Research Topic seeks to explore the relationship between AI – nonfunctioning and hormone secreting, mild and overt (cortisol, aldosterone, catecholamines), and comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bone fragility, mental health issues, and QoL. Of particular interest are recommended follow-up strategies, medical and surgical treatment, and studies exploring the sexual dimorphism of adrenal tumors. We welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, and perspective articles covering these themes.
Keywords: Adrenal incidentaloma, mild autonomous cortisol secretion, depression, adrenalectomy, sexual dimorphism, cushing's syndrome, hyperlipoproteinemia, cardiovascular risk, cortisol, glucocorticoids, insulin resistance
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