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Birtolo MF, Giannini E, Antonini S, Lavezzi E, Lasio G, Da Rin G, Mazziotti G, Lania AG. Prediction of adrenal insufficiency after pituitary surgery: a retrospective study using beckman access cortisol assay. Pituitary 2024; 27:160-168. [PMID: 38170374 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01368-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Identifying patients requiring glucocorticoid replacement therapy after pituitary surgery is challenging as the tests commonly used for the diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) are not recommended in the immediate postoperative period. There are controversial data on the role of postoperative days' morning cortisol, with no specific data for each cortisol assay. The aim of this study is to investigate the reliability of 8.00 a.m. cortisol of the first and second postoperative days in predicting SAI. METHODS Data of patients underwent pituitary surgery in Humanitas Research Hospital in Italy, from March 2017 to August 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Definitive diagnosis of SAI was made through ACTH test 1 µg six weeks after surgery. Cortisol was measured through Beckman Access Cortisol and the diagnosis of SAI was made if cortisol peak was below 14.8 µg/dL (408 nmol/L) at 30 or 60 min after stimulus. RESULTS Of the sixty-four patients enrolled, seven developed SAI. The ROC curves demonstrated that both first- and second-day postoperative 8.00 a.m. cortisol predict SAI (AUC 0.94 and 0.95, respectively). The optimal thresholds were 15.6 µg/dL (430.3 nmol/L; accuracy 89%) for the first day and 11.5 µg/dL (317.2 nmol/L, accuracy 81%) for the second day. Patients who developed SAI had larger tumors (p = 0.004) and lower fT4 (p = 0.038) before surgery. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians might rely on the first- and second- postoperative days 8.00 a.m. cortisol to identify patients to discharge with glucocorticoid replacement therapy waiting for the confirmation of SAI through the ACTH test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francesca Birtolo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Emma Giannini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Antonini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lavezzi
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lasio
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Da Rin
- Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Gherardo Mazziotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy.
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy.
| | - Andrea G Lania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090, Milan, Italy
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy
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Huisman PE, Siegelaar SE, Hoogmoed J, Post R, Peters S, Houben M, Hillebrand JJ, Bisschop PH, Pereira AM, Bruinstroop E. Basal cortisol in relation to metyrapone confirmation in predicting adrenal insufficiency after pituitary surgery. Pituitary 2024; 27:151-159. [PMID: 38243126 PMCID: PMC11009774 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01374-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pituitary surgery can lead to post-surgical adrenal insufficiency with the need for glucocorticoid replacement and significant disease related burden. In patients who do not receive hydrocortisone replacement before surgery, at our center, an early morning plasma cortisol concentration using a cut-off value of 450 nmol/L 3 days after surgery (POD3) is used to guide the need for hydrocortisone replacement until dynamic confirmatory testing using metyrapone. The aim of this study was to critically assess the currently used diagnostic and treatment algorithm in patients undergoing pituitary surgery in our pituitary reference center. METHODS Retrospective analysis of all patients with a POD3 plasma cortisol concentration < 450 nmol/L who received hydrocortisone replacement and a metyrapone test after 3 months. Plasma cortisol concentration was measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche). All patients who underwent postoperative testing using metyrapone at Amsterdam UMC between January 2018 and February 2022 were included. Patients with Cushing's disease or those with hydrocortisone replacement prior to surgery were excluded. RESULTS Ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. The postoperative cortisol concentration above which no patient had adrenal insufficiency (i.e. 11-deoxycortisol > 200 nmol/L) was 357 nmol/L (Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 31%, PPV:32%, NPV:100%). This translates into a 28% reduction in the need for hydrocortisone replacement compared with the presently used cortisol cut-off value of 450 nmol/L. CONCLUSION Early morning plasma cortisol cut-off values lower than 450 nmol/L can safely be used to guide the need for hydrocortisone replacement after pituitary surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter E Huisman
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah E Siegelaar
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pituitary Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jantien Hoogmoed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pituitary Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Post
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pituitary Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shariefa Peters
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Moniek Houben
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacquelien J Hillebrand
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H Bisschop
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pituitary Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline Bruinstroop
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Pituitary Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abdollahifard S, Taherifard E, Sadeghi A, Farrokhi A, Cohen-Gadol AA, Palmisciano P. Early Morning Cortisol Level as a Predictive Factor for Long-Term Glucocorticoid Replacement After Pituitary Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World Neurosurg 2023; 176:168-178. [PMID: 37201788 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A reliable strategy for predicting long-term adrenal insufficiency after pituitary surgery can reduce the risk of glucocorticoid overexposure or missing patients with pituitary insufficiency. For this purpose, we aimed to assess the predictive value of early postoperative morning serum cortisol level for the detection of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in patients who underwent pituitary surgery. METHODS A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-based systematic review was conducted to include articles investigating morning blood cortisol levels after pituitary surgery for lesions of the pituitary gland as a determinant for administration of long-term supplemental glucocorticoids. Bayesian statistics were used to pool the sensitivity and specificity rates. Sensitivity and specificity were also determined for each potential cortisol level on postoperative day (POD) 1 and POD 2. RESULTS The study included 17 articles encompassing 1648 patients. Morning cortisol levels on POD 1 and POD 2 showed pooled sensitivity rates of 86.4% and 86.6% and pooled specificity rates of 73.1% and 78.2%, respectively, for predicting long-term glucocorticoid replacement after surgery. A cortisol level of 2.1 μg/dL showed the highest sensitivity rate (98.78%), and 22.5 μg/dL showed the highest specificity rate (72.5%) on POD 1. CONCLUSIONS In this review and Bayesian meta-analysis, we found that postoperative serum cortisol measurement may have high accuracy in prediction of the long-term need for glucocorticoid administration in patients who underwent pituitary surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erfan Taherifard
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; MPH Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Sadeghi
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | | | - Paolo Palmisciano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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Prencipe N, Marinelli L, Varaldo E, Cuboni D, Berton AM, Bioletto F, Bona C, Gasco V, Grottoli S. Isolated anterior pituitary dysfunction in adulthood. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1100007. [PMID: 36967769 PMCID: PMC10032221 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is defined as a complete or partial deficiency in one or more pituitary hormones. Anterior hypopituitarism includes secondary adrenal insufficiency, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency and prolactin deficiency. Patients with hypopituitarism suffer from an increased disability and sick days, resulting in lower health status, higher cost of care and an increased mortality. In particular during adulthood, isolated pituitary deficits are not an uncommon finding; their clinical picture is represented by vague symptoms and unclear signs, which can be difficult to properly diagnose. This often becomes a challenge for the physician. Aim of this narrative review is to analyse, for each anterior pituitary deficit, the main related etiologies, the characteristic signs and symptoms, how to properly diagnose them (suggesting an easy and reproducible step-based approach), and eventually the treatment. In adulthood, the vast majority of isolated pituitary deficits are due to pituitary tumours, head trauma, pituitary surgery and brain radiotherapy. Immune-related dysfunctions represent a growing cause of isolated pituitary deficiencies, above all secondary to use of oncological drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The diagnosis of isolated pituitary deficiencies should be based on baseline hormonal assessments and/or dynamic tests. Establishing a proper diagnosis can be quite challenging: in fact, even if the diagnostic methods are becoming increasingly refined, a considerable proportion of isolated pituitary deficits still remains without a certain cause. While isolated ACTH and TSH deficiencies always require a prompt replacement treatment, gonadal replacement therapy requires a benefit-risk evaluation based on the presence of comorbidities, age and gender of the patient; finally, the need of growth hormone replacement therapies is still a matter of debate. On the other side, prolactin replacement therapy is still not available. In conclusion, our purpose is to offer a broad evaluation from causes to therapies of isolated anterior pituitary deficits in adulthood. This review will also include the evaluation of uncommon symptoms and main etiologies, the elements of suspicion of a genetic cause and protocols for diagnosis, follow-up and treatment.
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Choi S, Kim YJ, Oh H, Kim N, Kim YH, Park HP. Sevoflurane anesthesia rather than propofol anesthesia is associated with 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism in patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for non-functional pituitary adenoma with preoperative normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2022; 164:2083-2094. [PMID: 35641648 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-022-05260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The effects of anesthetic technique on intermediate-term postoperative adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) functional outcomes have not been fully determined in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) patients. Postoperative hypocortisolism is potentially life-threatening and requires steroid replacement after pituitary surgery. The present study determined whether sevoflurane anesthesia was predictive of 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism in NFPA patients with preoperative normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. METHODS Demographics, preoperative pituitary hormone status, intraoperative data, and tumor characteristics were retrospectively collected from 429 NFPA patients, who had preoperative normal HPA axis and underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Patients were divided into two groups based on intraoperative anesthetic technique: sevoflurane-based inhalation anesthesia group (n = 74) and propofol-based intravenous anesthesia group (n = 355). After propensity score matching, 73 patients were selected in each group and the incidence of 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism (primary outcome measure) was compared between the two groups. RESULTS The incidence of 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism was higher in the sevoflurane anesthesia group than the propofol anesthesia group before (n = 20[27.0%] vs. n = 49[13.8%], P = 0.008) and after (n = 20 [27.4%] vs. n = 5 [6.8%], P = 0.002) propensity score matching, respectively. Sevoflurane anesthetic use (odds ratio [95% CI] 5.37[1.80-15.98], P = 0.003) and postoperative steroid administration (2.89 [1.06-7.92], P = 0.039) were predictors of 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism. CONCLUSION In patients with preoperative normal HPA axis undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for NFPA, sevoflurane anesthesia and postoperative steroid administration were associated with the development of 3-month postoperative hypocortisolism. A large-scale prospective study is needed to confirm the negative association between sevoflurane anesthesia and postoperative ACTH functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungeun Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Hyongmin Oh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Nayoung Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Yong Hwy Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Hee-Pyoung Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
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Gruber LM, Bancos I. Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: Recent Updates and New Directions for Diagnosis and Management. Endocr Pract 2022; 28:110-117. [PMID: 34610473 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Secondary adrenal insufficiency is the most common subtype of adrenal insufficiency; it is caused by certain medications and pituitary destruction (pituitary masses, inflammation, or infiltration) and is rarely associated with certain germline variants. In this review, we discuss the etiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation of secondary adrenal insufficiency and focus on the diagnostic and management challenges. We also review the management of selected special populations of patients and discuss patient-important outcomes associated with secondary adrenal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda M Gruber
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Staby I, Krogh J, Klose M, Baekdal J, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Poulsgaard L, Springborg JB, Andreassen M. Pituitary function after transsphenoidal surgery including measurement of basal morning cortisol as predictor of adrenal insufficiency. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:750-757. [PMID: 34137733 PMCID: PMC8346196 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with pituitary adenomas undergoing transsphenoidal surgery require pre- and post-surgery examination of pituitary hormones. There is currently no consensus on how to evaluate the adrenal axis post-surgery. The aims of this study were to investigate factors that may predict postoperative adrenal insufficiency (AI) and to investigate the overall effect of transsphenoidal surgery on pituitary function. METHODS One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients who had undergone transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas were included. Data on tumour size, pituitary function pre-surgery, plasma basal cortisol measured within 48 h post-surgery and pituitary function 6 months post-surgery were collected. Patients with AI prior to surgery, perioperative glucocorticoid treatment, Cushing's disease and no re-evaluation after 1 month were excluded (n = 93) in the basal cortisol analysis. RESULTS Low plasma basal cortisol post-surgery, tumour size and previous pituitary surgery were predictors of AI (all P < 0.05). A basal cortisol cut-off concentration of 300 nmol/L predicted AI 6 months post-surgery with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, specificity of 81% and positive predictive value of 25%. New gonadal, thyroid and adrenal axis insufficiencies accounted for 2, 10 and 10%, respectively. The corresponding recovery rates were 17, 7 and 24%, respectively. CONCLUSION Transsphenoidal surgery had an overall beneficial effect on pituitary endocrine function. Low basal plasma cortisol measured within 48 h after surgery, tumour size and previous surgery were identified as risk factors for AI. Measurement of basal cortisol post-surgery may help to identify patients at risk of developing AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Staby
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Krogh
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne Klose
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Baekdal
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Clinical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Poulsgaard
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mikkel Andreassen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Clinical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Andreassen:
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Karaca Z, Grossman A, Kelestimur F. Investigation of the Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis: a contemporary synthesis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021; 22:179-204. [PMID: 33770352 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09611-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the main components of the stress system. Maintenance of normal physiological events, which include stress responses to internal or external stimuli in the body, depends on appropriate HPA axis function. In the case of severe cortisol deficiency, especially when there is a triggering factor, the patient may develop a life-threatening adrenal crisis which may result in death unless early diagnosis and adequate treatment are carried out. The maintenance of normal physiology and survival depend upon a sufficient level of cortisol in the circulation. Life-long glucocorticoid replacement therapy, in most cases meeting but not exceeding the need of the patient, is essential for normal life expectancy and maintenance of the quality of life. To enable this, the initial step should be the correct diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI) which requires careful evaluation of the HPA axis, a highly dynamic endocrine system. The diagnosis of AI in patients with frank manifestations is not challenging. These patients do not need dynamic tests, and basal cortisol is usually enough to give a correct diagnosis. However, most cases of secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) take place in a gray zone when clinical manifestations are mild. In this situation, more complicated methods that can simulate the response of the HPA axis to a major stress are required. Numerous studies in the assessment of HPA axis have been published in the world literature. In this review, the tests used in the diagnosis of secondary AI or in the investigation of suspected HPA axis insufficiency are discussed in detail, and in the light of this, various recommendations are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuleyha Karaca
- Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University, Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ashley Grossman
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and London School of Medicine, London, UK
- OCDEM, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fahrettin Kelestimur
- Department of Endocrinology, Yeditepe University, Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey.
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