Metabolic disorders in the adult patients presenting with congenital adrenal hyperpl

Abstract

A total of 55 patients at the age from 18 to 60 years presenting with the classical forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were available for the estimation of the body mass index (BMI), measurement of AP, glycemia in OGTT, insulin level, HOMA index, and lipid content in blood sera. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was documented in 56% of the women and in 47% of the men with CAH. Arterial hypertension occurred in 10% and 14% of the women and men respectively, disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism were diagnosed in 17% of the women and 7% of the men, but men alone suffered diabetes mellitus. 35% and 47% of the women and men presented with insulin resistance respectively. Dyslipidemia concomitant with CAH occurred in 69% of the women and 50% of the men. Disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism and arterial hypertension were largely associated with the elevated BMI while dyslipidemia in the first place correlated with the degree of CAH compensation. It is concluded that the patients with CAH are subject to the high prevalence of metabolic disorders. Special attention should be given to the patients with an excessive body mass and those having episodes of iatrogenic hypercorticism in their medical histories. Such patients most frequently exhibit a combination of metabolic disorders that constitutes a risk factor of the development of cardiovascular complications.