Glucose Disorders in Patients With Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma: Profile and Influence Effects in a Large Cohort With 705 Patients.

OBJECTIVE

Some patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) suffer from glucose metabolic disorders. The aim was to investigate the relationship between glucose metabolic disorders and catecholamine levels in 705 patients with PPGL.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 705 patients diagnosed with PPGL at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2018 to 2023. Bar chart was utilized to depict the manifestations of glycemic disorder across different genders, age groups, body mass index, and catecholamine secretion types. Comparison of characteristics between patients with PPGL who had glycemic disorders and those who did not was conducted. Binary logistic regression analysis coupled with receiver operating characteristic curves was utilized to predict the occurrence of glycemic disorders.

RESULTS

Of 705 patients, 492 patients were diagnosed with glucose abnormalities, while the remaining 213 had normal glucose metabolism. Compared to the normal glycemic group, the glycemic disorder group had significantly higher levels of HOMA-IR and TyG index, as well as higher high density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholestrol. Univariate logistic regression identified age, norepinephrine, and epinephrine as independent risk factors for the occurrence of glucose metabolism disorders. After adjusting for confounding variables, age at diagnosis and norepinephrine levels both remained significant, confirming their roles as key risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost 70% of the patients manifested disturbances in glucose metabolism, with over one-third diagnosed with diabetes. These findings underscore the pivotal role catecholamines play in metabolic processes and emphasize the imperative need for close monitoring of blood glucose levels in patients with PPGL.