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Patel E, Ben-Shlomo A. Opioid-induced adrenal insufficiency: diagnostic and management considerations. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1280603. [PMID: 38476510 PMCID: PMC10927719 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1280603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The dramatic rise in opioid use over the last two decades has led to a surge in their harmful health effects. Lesser known among clinicians is the impact of opioids on the endocrine system, especially with regard to cortisol. Opioids can suppress the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and may result in clinically significant adrenal insufficiency, especially in those treated at higher doses and for a longer time. A high clinical suspicion is necessary in this population for early diagnosis of opioid-induced adrenal insufficiency (OAI). Diagnosis of OAI is challenging, as the symptoms are often vague and overlap with those due to opioid use or the underlying pain disorder. Traditional assays to diagnose adrenal insufficiency have not been widely studied in this population, and more investigation is needed to determine how opioids might affect assay results. Once a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency has been made, glucocorticoid replacement in the form of hydrocortisone is likely the mainstay of treatment, and effort should be made to taper down opioids where possible. Cortisol levels should be retested periodically, with the goal of stopping glucocorticoid replacement once the HPA axis has recovered. In this review, we provide context for diagnostic challenges in OAI, suggest diagnostic tools for this population based on available data, and offer recommendations for the management of this disorder. There is a paucity of literature in this field; given the widespread use of opioids in the general population, more investigation into the effects of opioids on the HPA axis is sorely needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Patel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anat Ben-Shlomo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Multidisciplinary Adrenal Program, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Altieri B, Kimpel O, Megerle F, Detomas M, Chifu I, Fuss CT, Quinkler M, Kroiss M, Fassnacht M. Recovery of adrenal function after stopping mitotane in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:139-150. [PMID: 38244214 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mitotane is the standard therapy of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) due to its relative selectivity of its cytotoxic effects toward adrenocortical cells. Therefore, it virtually always leads to adrenal insufficiency. Frequency and characteristics of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery after discontinuation are ill-defined. METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients with ACC adjuvantly treated with mitotane for ≥12 months who were disease-free at mitotane stop and had a minimum follow-up ≥1 year. Primary endpoint was adrenal recovery. Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors. Moreover, mitotane plasma elimination rate and hormonal changes after mitotane stop were investigated. RESULTS Fifty-six patients (36 women) treated with mitotane for a median time of 25 months and an average daily dose of 2.8 g were included. Median time after discontinuation until mitotane levels dropped below 5 and 2 mg/L, and the detection limit was 152 days (interquartile range: 114-202), 280 days (192-370), and 395 days (227-546), respectively. Full adrenal recovery was documented in 32 (57%) patients after a median time of 26 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19.6-32.4). In 4 patients (7.1%), adrenal insufficiency persisted >5 years after discontinuation. Mitotane peak ≥ 27 mg/L significantly correlated with longer time to adrenal recovery (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1-0.8, P = .03). Twenty-seven of 38 patients (71%) followed in reference centers achieved adrenal recovery compared with only 5/18 (28%) followed up in non-reference centers (HR = 4.51, 95% CI = 1.71-11.89, P = .002). Other investigated factors were not associated with adrenal function after discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that adrenal recovery occurs in most patients after stopping mitotane, particularly when followed up in specialized centers, but not in all. Elimination time of mitotane after treatment discontinuation is very long but individually quite variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Otilia Kimpel
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Felix Megerle
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mario Detomas
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Irina Chifu
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carmina Teresa Fuss
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Quinkler
- Endocrinology in Charlottenburg, Stuttgarter Platz 1, 10627 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberduerrbacher Strasse 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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Coluzzi F, LeQuang JAK, Sciacchitano S, Scerpa MS, Rocco M, Pergolizzi J. A Closer Look at Opioid-Induced Adrenal Insufficiency: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054575. [PMID: 36902007 PMCID: PMC10003084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Among several opioid-associated endocrinopathies, opioid-associated adrenal insufficiency (OIAI) is both common and not well understood by most clinicians, particularly those outside of endocrine specialization. OIAI is secondary to long-term opioid use and differs from primary adrenal insufficiency. Beyond chronic opioid use, risk factors for OIAI are not well known. OIAI can be diagnosed by a variety of tests, such as the morning cortisol test, but cutoff values are not well established and it is estimated that only about 10% of patients with OIAI will ever be properly diagnosed. This may be dangerous, as OIAI can lead to a potentially life-threatening adrenal crisis. OIAI can be treated and for patients who must continue opioid therapy, it can be clinically managed. OIAI resolves with opioid cessation. Better guidance for diagnosis and treatment is urgently needed, particularly in light of the fact that 5% of the United States population has a prescription for chronic opioid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Coluzzi
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Salvatore Sciacchitano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Niccolò Cusano University Foundation, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Sole Scerpa
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Rocco
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Advanced Adrenocortical Carcinoma: From Symptoms Control to Palliative Care. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235901. [PMID: 36497381 PMCID: PMC9739560 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is often poor: in the case of metastatic disease, five-year survival is reduced. Advanced disease is not a non-curable disease and, in referral centers, the multidisciplinary approach is the standard of care: if a shared decision regarding several treatments is available, including the correct timing for the performance of each one, overall survival is increased. However, many patients with advanced ACC experience severe psychological and physical symptoms secondary to the disease and the cancer treatments. These symptoms, combined with existential issues, debase the quality of the remaining life. Recent strong evidence from cancer research supports the early integration of palliative care principles and skills into the advanced cancer patient's trajectory, even when asymptomatic. A patient with ACC risks quickly suffering from symptoms/effects alongside the disease; therefore, early palliative care, in some cases concurrent with oncological treatment (simultaneous care), is suggested. The aims of this paper are to review current, advanced ACC approaches, highlight appropriate forms of ACC symptom management and suggest when and how palliative care can be incorporated into the ACC standard of care.
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Gadelha MR, Karavitaki N, Fudin J, Bettinger JJ, Raff H, Ben-Shlomo A. Opioids and pituitary function: expert opinion. Pituitary 2022; 25:52-63. [PMID: 35066756 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-021-01202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Opioids are highly addictive potent analgesics and anti-allodynics whose use has dramatically increased in recent decades. The precipitous rise in opioid dependency and opioid use disorder is an important public health challenge given the risks for severely adverse health outcomes. The long-term opioid impact on hypothalamic-pituitary axes is particularly underappreciated among both endocrinologists and primary care physicians. We review the effects of opioids on hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland function and their implications for clinical practice. METHODS Experts in hypothalamic-pituitary disorders and opioid pharmacology reviewed recently published literature and considered strategies for diagnosing and managing these opioid-induced endocrine effects. RESULTS Opioid suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary axes can lead to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, central adrenal insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia. These important clinical manifestations are often under-estimated, poorly evaluated, and typically either untreated or not optimally managed. Data on biochemical testing for diagnosis and on the effect of hormone replacement in these patients is limited and prospective randomized controlled studies for guiding clinical practice are lacking. CONCLUSIONS Patients should be informed about risks for hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia, and encouraged to report associated symptoms. Based on currently available evidence, we recommend clinical and biochemical evaluation for potential central adrenal insufficiency, central hypogonadism, and/or hyperprolactinemia in patients chronically treated with opioids as well as the use of current expert guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica R Gadelha
- Endocrine Unit and Neuroendocrinology Research Center, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neuroendocrine Unit - Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neuropathology and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Niki Karavitaki
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeffrey Fudin
- President, Remitigate Therapeutics, Delmar, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacy and Pain Management, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Bettinger
- Pain Management and Addiction Medicine, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Hershel Raff
- Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, 2801 W KK River Pky Suite 260, Milwaukee, WI, 53215, USA.
| | - Anat Ben-Shlomo
- Pituitary Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Multidisciplinary Adrenal Program, Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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