Androgen insensitivity syndrome medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Reddy Kothagadi M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for clinical management from infancy up to adulthood. Hormone replacement therapy is needed following gonadectomy. Patients who have decided to retain their gonads are considered to be at risk for developing germ cell tumors and for these the sensitive circulating tumor markers may become available soon.
Medical Therapy
General management
Management of androgen insensitivity syndrome should address:[1]
- Functional issues
- Sexual issues
- Psychological issues such as disclosure
- Gonadectomy and subsequent hormone replacement
- Creation of a functional vagina, and provision of genetic advice
- Care needs to be individualized, flexible, and holistic
- Management is dependent wholly on a multidisciplinary team
Specific management based on the type of AIS
Management of CAIS (complete androgen insensitivity syndrome)
Treatment of manifestations:
- Treatment options for CAIS may include either removal of the testes after puberty when feminization is complete so as to prevent testicular malignancy OR along with estrogen replacement therapy, prepubertal gonadectomy is advised. The risk of gonadal germ cell tumor is low during childhood and adolescence but increases in later adulthood.
- In order to avoid dyspareunia, vaginal dilatation may be recommended as an additional treatment for CAIS.
- Timing of gonadectomy, appropriate hormone replacement therapy and assessment of the need for vaginal dilation or rarely, vaginal surgery are the issues involved in the management of CAIS.[2]
- Expert psychological counseling is mandatory to manage the disconnect between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex and to choreograph the evolving process of disclosure from late childhood through to maturity.[2]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: Starting dose of 2 μg daily from roughly 11 years of age. This dose is increased in increments of 2 - 4 μg over about 2 years to reach a daily dose of 30 μg. Thereafter, and in women who have a gonadectomy after puberty, several preparations are available, including the natural estrogen estradiol, which can be given orally or transdermally. Synthetic estrogens can be given in the form of the combined oral contraceptive pill. Some evidence supports the use of natural estrogens as transdermal hormone replacement therapy because this administration method might be more physiological than oral delivery. [1]
Management of PAIS (partial androgen insensitivity syndrome)
- Treatment of PAIS is similar to treatment of CAIS in individuals with predominantly female genitalia, but in order to help avoid increasing clitoromegaly at the time of puberty. The pre-pubertal gonadectomy procedure is advised.
- In individuals with PAIS and ambiguous or predominantly male genitalia, the tendency has been for parents and healthcare professionals to assign sex of rearing after an expert evaluation has been completed.
- Individuals with PAIS and raised as males may undergo urologic surgery such as orchipexy and hypospadias repair. [1]
- Individuals with PAIS and raised as females and who undergo gonadectomy after puberty may need combined estrogen and androgen replacement therapy.[1]
Management of MAIS (mild androgen insensitivity syndrome)
- Males with MAIS may require mammoplasty for gynecomastia.
- A trial of androgen pharmacotherapy may help improve virilization in infancy.
- It is best if the diagnosis of AIS is explained to the affected individual and family in an empathic environment, with both professional and family support.
Psychosocial management
- Psychosocial support plays a major role in a multidisciplinary approach in managing complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.
- When the diagnosis is made, adolescents and parents of children with the disorder would have to make crucial decisions regarding treatments, timing and the extent of any surgical interventions. Major focus has to be laid on assimilation of the disparities between chromosomal, gonadal, and phenotypic sex and its implications. Specialist psychological support is provided in most centers caring for patients with disorders of sex development (DSD).[1]
Prevention of secondary manifestations
- Supplemental calcium and vitamin D along with regular weight-bearing exercises and are advised to optimize bone health.
- Bisphosphonate therapy may be beneficial for individuals with decreased bone mineral density and a history of multiple fractures. [3]
Surveillance
- Periodic reevaluation for gynecomastia during puberty in individuals assigned a male sex; monitoring of bone mineral density (BMD) through DEXA scanning in adults. [3]
Evaluation of relatives at risk
A karyotype analysis can be done first In an apparently asymptomatic older or younger sibling who has normal external female genitalia and who has not yet undergone menarche. Molecular genetic testing for androgen receptor (AR) variant in the family would be advised next for the phenotypic females who have a 46,XY karyotype. Androgen binding assays should be considered if the androgen receptor (AR) variant in the family is undocumented.
Genetic counseling
- Androgen receptor (AR) mutations are inherited and transmitted in an X linked manner.
- In XY-offspring, 50% are affected and XX offspring 50% of them are a healthy carrier. [4]
- Affected 46XY individuals are almost always infertile.
- The risk of transmission is negligible in sporadic cases. [4]
- In any case of de-novo mutation of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, germline mosaicism cannot be excluded and counseling the families has to be handled cautiously. [4]
- The children of a female known to carry an androgen receptor (AR) pathogenic variant (heterozygote) are at a 25% risk for:
- Getting affected and having 46XY karyotype
- Getting affected and having 46XY karyotype
- Would be a carrier and has a 46XX karyotype
- Would not be a carrier and has a 46XX karyotype
- If the pathogenic variant in the family is known, prenatal testing for pregnancies at increased risk and also carrier testing for at-risk relatives are possible .
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hughes IA, Davies JD, Bunch TI, Pasterski V, Mastroyannopoulou K, MacDougall J (2012). "Androgen insensitivity syndrome". Lancet. 380 (9851): 1419–28. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60071-3. PMID 22698698.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hughes IA, Werner R, Bunch T, Hiort O (2012). "Androgen insensitivity syndrome". Semin Reprod Med. 30 (5): 432–42. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1324728. PMID 23044881.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, Bean L, Bird TD, Ledbetter N, Mefford HC, Smith R, Stephens K, Gottlieb B, Trifiro MA. PMID 20301602. Vancouver style error: initials (help); Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Akella RR (2017). "Mutational Analysis of Androgen Receptor Gene in Two Families with Androgen Insensitivity". Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 21 (4): 520–523. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_345_16. PMC 5477437. PMID 28670533.