Espinosa RTM, Hernández MJA, Hernández M, Domínguez AE

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 1-14
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: There is disagreement with respect to the body composition of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and the influence of clinical, hormonal and other factors involved in steroid therapy.
Objective: Describe the clinical, anthropometric and body composition variables of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and determine whether there is a relationship between this condition and the aforementioned variables.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of all congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients under replacement steroid therapy cared for at the pediatric endocrinology service of the National Institute of Endocrinology from 2000 to 2015. Clinical and hormonal variables were analyzed. Absolute frequencies and percentages were estimated for qualitative variables, whereas mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables. Associations were evaluated with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and the chi-square test was applied to evaluate the statistical significance of the possible association.
Results: A total 29 patients were studied, of whom 24 (82.8 %) were women. Mean age was 10.9 ± 6.27 years, diagnosis 1.9 ± 2.7 years and age at the start of therapy 2.03 ± 2.7 years. White skin color prevailed with 19 (65.5 %). In most patients there was a predominance of high lean mass percentages and normal biochemical parameters. A positive correlation was found between the use of higher steroid doses and a higher lean mass percentage. The same occurred from a clinical (non-statistical) point of view with a longer therapy time. Plasma testosterone levels did not show a significant relationship to body composition characteristics.