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POU1F1 mutations in combined pituitary hormone deficiency: differing spectrum of mutations in a Western-Indian cohort and systematic analysis of world literature

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Abstract

Context

POU1F1 mutations are prevalent in Indian CPHD cohorts. Genotype–phenotype correlation is not well-studied.

Aim

To describe phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of POU1F1 mutations in our CPHD cohort and present systematic review as well as genotype–phenotype analysis of all mutation-positive cases reported in world literature.

Methods

Retrospective study of POU1F1 mutation-positive patients from a western-Indian center. PRISMA guidelines based pubmed search of published literature of all mutation-positive patients.

Results

Our cohort had 15 POU1F1 mutation-positive patients (9 index, 6 relatives). All had severe GH, TSH and prolactin deficiencies (GHD, TSHD and PD). TSHD was diagnosed earliest followed by GHD (median ages: TSHD-6 months, GHD-3 years), while PD was more variable. Two sisters had central precocious puberty at 7 years of age. Pubic hair was deficient in all post-pubertal patients (females: P1-P2, males: P3-P4). Splice-site/intronic/frameshift mutations were most common, while missense/nonsense mutations were less frequent (33%). Review of world literature yielded 114 patients (82 index patients) from 58 studies. GHD was present in all patients. TSHD was spared in 12.5% and PD in 4.4% patients. Missense/nonsense mutations accounted for 75% of spectrum. Phenotype-genotype analysis revealed higher mean peak-GH levels (1.1 vs 0.2 ng/ml, p = 0.008) and lower prevalence of anterior-pituitary hypoplasia (63.6% vs 86.3%, p = 0.03) in patients with heterozygous than homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations.

Conclusions

We present largest series of POU1F1 mutation-positive patients. Precocious puberty and defective pubarche are lesser-appreciated phenotypic features. Our mutation spectrum is different from that of world literature. Patients with heterozygous mutations have milder phenotype.

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Authors confirm that data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Abbreviations

CPHD:

Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

POU1F1:

POU class 1 homeobox 1 factor 1

GHD:

Growth Hormone Deficiency

TSHD:

Thyroid stimulating hormone deficiency

PD:

Prolactin deficiency

IGF-1:

Insulin like Growth Factor 1

SDS:

Standard Deviation Score

APH:

Anterior Pituitary Hypoplasia

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Acknowledgement

We sincerely thank Dr Vyankatesh Shivane and Dr Aparna Kamble for their contribution in administrative overview of patient care and data management for this study.

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Correspondence to Anurag R. Lila.

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The study has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee II, Seth GS medical college and KEM hospital, Mumbai, India.

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Jadhav, S., Diwaker, C., Lila, A.R. et al. POU1F1 mutations in combined pituitary hormone deficiency: differing spectrum of mutations in a Western-Indian cohort and systematic analysis of world literature. Pituitary 24, 657–669 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-021-01140-9

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