Inhalational Steroids and Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome

European Society of Endocrinology and Endocrine Society Joint Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Therapy of Glucocorticoid-induced Adrenal Insufficiency

Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. This results in at least 1% of the population using chronic glucocorticoid therapy, being at risk for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. This risk is dependent on the dose, duration and potency of the glucocorticoid, route of administration, and individual susceptibility. Once glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency develops or is suspected, it necessitates careful education and management of affected patients. Tapering glucocorticoids can be challenging when symptoms of glucocorticoid withdrawal develop, which overlap with those of adrenal insufficiency. In general, tapering of glucocorticoids can be more rapidly within a supraphysiological range, followed by a slower taper when on physiological glucocorticoid dosing. The degree and persistence of HPA axis suppression after cessation of glucocorticoid therapy are dependent on overall exposure and recovery of adrenal function varies greatly amongst individuals. This first European Society of Endocrinology/Endocrine Society joint clinical practice guideline provides guidance on this clinically relevant condition to aid clinicians involved in the care of patients on chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

European Society of Endocrinology and Endocrine Society Joint Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and therapy of glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency

Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. This results in at least 1% of the population using chronic glucocorticoid therapy, being at risk for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. This risk is dependent on the dose, duration and potency of the glucocorticoid, route of administration, and individual susceptibility. Once glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency develops or is suspected, it necessitates careful education and management of affected patients. Tapering glucocorticoids can be challenging when symptoms of glucocorticoid withdrawal develop, which overlap with those of adrenal insufficiency. In general, tapering of glucocorticoids can be more rapidly within a supraphysiological range, followed by a slower taper when on physiological glucocorticoid dosing. The degree and persistence of HPA axis suppression after cessation of glucocorticoid therapy are dependent on overall exposure and recovery of adrenal function varies greatly amongst individuals. This first European Society of Endocrinology/Endocrine Society joint clinical practice guideline provides guidance on this clinically relevant condition to aid clinicians involved in the care of patients on chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

Adrenal Cushing syndrome in a patient with corticosteroid-treated asthma and worsening diabetes mellitus

A 55-year-old woman with poor diabetic control and a long history of corticosteroid-treated asthma was admitted. Hypertension and dyslipidaemia developed 9 and 6 years ago, respectively, and both were poorly controlled. Three years ago, her asthma control improved, and oral/intravenous steroids were switched to inhalers. Around this time, she was diagnosed as diabetes mellitus and heavily treated with insulin and other drugs thereafter. Physical examination showed central obesity, moon face appearance, abdominal striae and purpura. Endocrinological examination revealed suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone, but unsuppressed endogenous cortisol levels. Right adrenal mass with isotope uptake revealed by CT scan and ¹³¹I-adosterol scintigraphy was compatible with cortisol-producing adenoma, leading to the diagnosis of adrenal Cushing syndrome. A history of corticosteroid usage sometimes prevents us from the timely detection of endogenous cortisol excess. Our current case tells us a lesson of the importance of suspecting non-iatrogenic causes of Cushing syndrome even in patients heavily treated with corticosteroids.

Glucocorticoid induced adrenal insufficiency

Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. A possible unwanted effect of glucocorticoid treatment is suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can lead to adrenal insufficiency. Factors affecting the risk of glucocorticoid induced adrenal insufficiency (GI-AI) include the duration of glucocorticoid therapy, mode of administration, glucocorticoid dose and potency, concomitant drugs that interfere with glucocorticoid metabolism, and individual susceptibility. Patients with exogenous glucocorticoid use may develop features of Cushing's syndrome and, subsequently, glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome when the treatment is tapered down. Symptoms of glucocorticoid withdrawal can overlap with those of the underlying disorder, as well as of GI-AI. A careful approach to the glucocorticoid taper and appropriate patient counseling are needed to assure a successful taper. Glucocorticoid therapy should not be completely stopped until recovery of adrenal function is achieved. In this review, we discuss the factors affecting the risk of GI-AI, propose a regimen for the glucocorticoid taper, and make suggestions for assessment of adrenal function recovery. We also describe current gaps in the management of patients with GI-AI and make suggestions for an approach to the glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome, chronic management of glucocorticoid therapy, and education on GI-AI for patients and providers.

Turkish Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (ART)

OBJECT

To prepare a national guideline for Otorhinolaryngologist who treat allergic rhinitis patients.

METHODS

The study was conducted by three authors, namely the writing support team. The support team made the study plan, determined the writing instructions, chose the subgroups including the advisory committee, the advisors for authors and the authors. A workshop was organized at the very beginning to explain the details of the study to the team. Advisors took the chance to meet their coworkers in their subgroups and determined the main headings and subheadings of the guideline, together with the authors. After key words were determined by the authors, literature search was done in various databases. The authors keep in touch with the advisors and the advisors with the advisory committee and the support group at every stage of the study. National and International published articles as well as the abstracts of unpublished studies, imperatively presented in National Congresses, were included in this guideline. Only Guideline and meta-analyses published in last seven years (2013-2017) and randomized controlled studies published in last two years (2015-2017) were included. After all work was completed by the subgroups, support team brought all work together and edited the article.

RESULTS

A detailed guideline about all aspects of allergic rhinitis was created.

CONCLUSION

The authors believe that this guideline will enable a compact and up-to-date information on allergic rhinitis to healthcare professionals. This guideline is the first in the field of Otolaryngology in Turkey. It should be updated at regular intervals.

Systematic Review: Guideline-Based Approach for the Management of Asthma and Subtypes via Chinese Medicine

Background

Asthma is a chronic condition that results in the inflammation and narrowing of airways, often clinically presenting as wheeze and shortness of breath. Little is known of the mechanisms of action (MOA) of herbs used to treat asthma. The aim of this study is to review existing data regarding known MOA of traditional Chinese medicine which will aid in the understanding of possible interactions between Western drugs and Chinese herbs as well as the standardization of management via a proposed guideline to improve patient safety and possible synergism in the long term.

Methods

We searched through 5 databases for commonly prescribed herbs and formulas for asthma and narrowed down the search to identify the underlying MOA of individual herbs that could specifically target asthma symptoms. We included studies that stated the MOA of individual herbs when used for treating symptoms of asthma, excluding them if they are described as part of a formula.

Results

A total of 26 herbs commonly prescribed for asthma with known mechanism of action were identified. Herbs used for asthma were found to have similar MOA as that for drugs. Based on existing GINA guidelines, a guideline is proposed which includes a total of 5 steps depending on the severity of asthma and the herbs' MOA. 16 formulas were subsequently identified for the management of asthma, which consist of 12 “stand-alone” and 4 “add-on” formulas. “Stand-alone” formulas used independently for asthma generally follow the GINA guidelines but do not proceed beyond step 3. These formulas consist mainly of beta-agonist and steroid-like effects. “Add-on” formulas added as adjunct to “stand-alone” formulas, however, mainly act on T helper cells or have steroid-like effects.

Conclusion

Through the understanding of MOA of herbs and their respective formulas, it will ensue greater patient safety and outcomes.

Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome Following Intra-Articular Triamcinolone Injection in an HIV-Infected Patient on Cobicistat Presenting as a Pulmonary Embolism: Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) typically develops after long-term exposure to corticosteroids, but it can occur after a single dose in patients treated with cobicistat or ritonavir for HIV. We present a patient who developed ICS due to the interaction between cobicistat and triamcinolone, a review of the literature, and what to our knowledge is the first case of ICS presenting as a pulmonary embolism.

Case Presentation

A 55-year old male with a past medical history of human immunodeficiency virus, undetectable for 15 years and currently on elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, received 2 intra-articular injections of triamcinolone one month apart for a Baker’s cyst in his right knee. He used nasal fluticasone for 9 days in-between the injections. After his second knee injection, he developed easy bruising and friable skin. Over the coming months, he experienced weight gain and Cushingoid facies. Four months after the knee injections he developed a pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis treated with warfarin. The Cushingoid facies prompted an evaluation and diagnosis of ICS along with hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis suppression.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the need to monitor patients on pharmacological boosters with any exposure to corticosteroids, whether it be injected, inhaled, topical, oral or intravenous, as it can lead to profound adrenal suppression and ICS.

Early Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Reactivation due to Drug Interaction between Cobicistat and Intranasal Fluticasone

Background

Single-tablet antiretroviral therapy is currently the first-line choice for the treatment of HIV infection. Some therapeutic regimens contain the CYP3A4 inhibitor cobicistat, which can interact with drugs undergoing hepatic first-pass metabolism, leading to unintended adverse effects.

Case Presentation

A 41-year-old man presented to the HIV clinic following a visit to the Emergency Department. His CD4⁺ count was 1,271 cells/μL, and viral load was undetectable in the previous month. The patient was on an antiretroviral therapy regimen containing cobicistat. He reported using a self-initiated over-the-counter fluticasone nasal spray for at least 2 weeks prior. He had a history of positive tuberculin skin test and a negative chest X-ray within the past year. He denied cough and was in no respiratory distress. A chest CT scan revealed a new thick-walled cavitary nodule in the right upper lobe. A CT-guided biopsy of the lesion yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Conclusions

HIV-infected individuals have higher risk for tuberculosis reactivation regardless of their CD4⁺ count. Fluticasone's hepatic metabolism is bypassed in the presence of CYP3A4 inhibitors, which increases its systemic bioavailability and the risk for impaired immunity. The goal of this report is to increase awareness among physicians about the potential adverse outcomes from the interaction of these drugs.