Retrospective analysis of Cushing's disease with or without hyperprolactinemia

Abstract

Objective. We compared the characteristics of patients with Cushing's disease alone with those of patients with Cushing's disease and hyperprolactinemia. Methods. Eighty-four patients were enrolled between 2002 and 2011, in a hospital in China. Clinical, endocrinological, and histopathological data, MRI scans, and surgical outcomes were reviewed throughout the follow-up period. Results. Patients with Cushing's disease and hyperprolactinemia had a younger age at diagnosis (30.28 ± 14.23 versus 36.08 ± 10.91 years; P=0.037) and a larger adenoma maximal diameter (2.44 ± 1.32 versus 1.44 ± 1.05 cm; P<0.001) than patients with Cushing's disease alone. Menstrual disorders (P=0.027) and visual field defects (P=0.021) were more common and progressive obesity (P=0.009) and hypertension (P<0.001) were less common in patients with Cushing's disease and hyperprolactinemia. The rate of normalization of hormonal levels was lower (41.7% versus 91.7%; P<0.001) and the recurrence rate was higher (36.1% versus 8.3%; P<0.001) in patients with Cushing's disease and hyperprolactinemia. Conclusions. Careful long-term follow-up is needed of patients with Cushing's disease and hyperprolactinemia.