Pituitary tumours are usually benign neoplasia, but may have a locally aggressive or malignant evolution. This study aimed to identify factors which mostly influence their proliferative activity, in order to clarify its value for clinical and research purposes. The proliferative index was determined in a prospective series of 132 pituitary tumours as the percentage of monoclonal antibody MIB-1-immunopositive cells and referred to as the MIB-1 labelling index (LI). Its distribution was analysed according to both univariate and multivariate models. A life-threatening pituitary tumour is presented separately. The mean LI was 1.24 ± 1.59%, with significant differences between clinically secreting (CS) and clinically non-secreting (CNS) adenomas. In CS adenomas (n = 65), LI was highly variable and markedly influenced by pre-operative pharmacological treatment (0.80 ± 1.03 vs 2.06 ± 2.39% in treated vs untreated cases, P = 0.009); it decreased with patient's age (P = 0.025, r = 0.28) and increased with tumour volume and invasiveness. The influence of pre-operative treatment and macroscopic features on LI in this group was confirmed by multivariate analysis. In CNS adenomas (n = 67), LI distribution was less variable than in CS adenomas (P < 0.0001), it was age-independent and correlations with tumour volume, invasiveness or recurrence did not reach significance. In a rapidly growing parasellar tumour, the mean LI was 24% at first surgery and exceeded 50% at second surgery performed 4 months later. LI should be interpreted according to hormone secretion and pre-operative treatment. Unusually high LI values deserve particular attention.

Introduction Sexual dysfunction in diabetic women has received less attention in clinical research than the sexual symptoms of diabetic men. Although conflicting results have been reported, several studies suggest an increased prevalence of deficient vaginal lubrication in women with diabetes mellitus. As support to the hypothesis of a potential diabetes-related arousal dysfunction caused by a decrease in vaginal lubrication of women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, we describe the following case report. Methods A 29-year-old white woman was found with a sexual arousal disorder of sudden onset, complicated by loss of orgasm and sexual desire, in absence of any marital, relational, psychological, or gynecological cause. Results One month later she was diagnosed with severe Type 1 diabetes. With the correction of diabetes and without other treatment of the sexual dysfunction, she experienced a full recovery of her sexual complaints. Conclusion The case illustrates the importance of being aware of female sexual dysfunction as an early symptom of diabetes mellitus and suggests that a good glycemic control would be fundamental to restore a normal sexual activity in diabetic women. It also demonstrates the need to take into account, not only in males, a sexual history in the management of diabetes mellitus.