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Review
. 2020 Aug;23(4):327-337.
doi: 10.1007/s11102-020-01059-7.

Pituitary society guidance: pituitary disease management and patient care recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic-an international perspective

Maria Fleseriu  1 , Michael Buchfelder  2 , Justin S Cetas  3   4 , Pouneh K Fazeli  5 , Susana M Mallea-Gil  6 , Mark Gurnell  7 , Ann McCormack  8   9 , Maria M Pineyro  10 , Luis V Syro  11 , Nicholas A Tritos  12 , Hani J Marcus  13
Affiliations
Review

Pituitary society guidance: pituitary disease management and patient care recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic-an international perspective

Maria Fleseriu et al. Pituitary. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral strain that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has presented healthcare systems around the world with an unprecedented challenge. In locations with significant rates of viral transmission, social distancing measures and enforced 'lockdowns' are the new 'norm' as governments try to prevent healthcare services from being overwhelmed. However, with these measures have come important challenges for the delivery of existing services for other diseases and conditions. The clinical care of patients with pituitary disorders typically involves a multidisciplinary team, working in concert to deliver timely, often complex, disease investigation and management, including pituitary surgery. COVID-19 has brought about major disruption to such services, limiting access to care and opportunities for testing (both laboratory and radiological), and dramatically reducing the ability to safely undertake transsphenoidal surgery. In the absence of clinical trials to guide management of patients with pituitary disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, herein the Professional Education Committee of the Pituitary Society proposes guidance for continued safe management and care of this population.

Keywords: Acromegaly; COVID-19; Cushing’s disease; Pituitary disease and surgery; Prolactinomas; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

MF has received research support to OHSU as principal investigator from Chiasma, Crinetics, Ionis, Novartis, Strongbridge and has received occasional scientific consulting from Chiasma, Crinetics, Ionis, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Pfizer, Strongbridge. MB, JSC, PKF, SMM-G, MG, AM, MMP, LVS declares that they have no conflict of interest. NAT has received institution-directed research support from Ipsen and Novartis and has received occasional consulting fees from Novo Nordisk and Strongbridge. HJM is supported by the Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS) and the NIHR BRC Neuro-oncology

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