Hypophysectomy in patients with. diabetic retinopathy does not appear to have a exacerbate effect on diabetic nephropathy, although clearance of inulin and p-aminohippuric acid are decreased, the fifth congress of the International Diabetes Federation was told.
Andre Gonda, MD, McGill University Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, said the reduced clearance functions were probably due to lack of human growth hormone and not progression of renal disease.
Gonda reported on the results of renal studies carried out in connection with hypophysectomies performed in ten patients. Definitive tests of renal function and renal biopsy were included in the preoperative assessment and at intervals after operation.
The patients were five men and five women, ranging in age from 17 to 54 years. Eight patients had diabetes of long duration with mostly poor control.
"In all patients insulin requirements were significantly decreased after operation," Gonda said. "Nine patients showed objective improvement in vision after