1
|
Ngaosuwan K, Johnston DG, Godsland IF, Cox J, Majeed A, Quint JK, Oliver N, Robinson S. Mortality Risk in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency Using Prednisolone or Hydrocortisone: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:2242-2251. [PMID: 33993277 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Prednisolone has been recommended rather than hydrocortisone for glucocorticoid replacement in adrenal insufficiency due its longer duration of action and lower cost. OBJECTIVE To determine mortality rates with prednisolone versus hydrocortisone. METHODS In this observational study, we used data extracted from a UK primary care database (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) to measure the relative mortality of patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, who were treated with either prednisolone or hydrocortisone, and control individuals who were individually matched for age, sex, period, and place of follow-up. RESULTS As expected, mortality in adrenal insufficiency irrespective of cause was increased, based on 5478 patients (4228 on hydrocortisone; 1250 on prednisolone) and 54 314 controls (41 934 and 12 380, respectively). Overall, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was similar with the 2 treatments (prednisolone, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.54-2.01] vs hydrocortisone 1.69 [1.57-1.82]; P = 0.65). This was also the case for secondary adrenal insufficiency. In primary disease (1405 on hydrocortisone vs 137 on prednisolone; 13 965 and 1347 controls, respectively), prednisolone users were older, more likely to have another autoimmune disease and malignancy, and less likely to have mineralocorticoid replacement. Nevertheless, after adjustment, the HR for prednisolone-treated patients remained higher than for those taking hydrocortisone (2.92 [2.19-3.91] vs 1.90 [1.66-2.16]; P = 0.0020). CONCLUSION In primary but not in secondary adrenal insufficiency, mortality was higher with prednisolone. The study was large, but the number of prednisolone-treated patients was small, and they had greater risk factors. Nonetheless, the increased mortality associated with prednisolone persisted despite statistical adjustment. Further evidence is needed regarding the long-term safety of prednisolone as routine replacement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanchana Ngaosuwan
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Desmond G Johnston
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ian F Godsland
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Cox
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College; NHS trust, London,UK
| | - Azeem Majeed
- School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Nick Oliver
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Stephen Robinson
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College; NHS trust, London,UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ngaosuwan K, Johnston DG, Godsland IF, Cox J, Majeed A, Quint JK, Oliver N, Robinson S. Increased Mortality Risk in Patients With Primary and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e2759-e2768. [PMID: 33596308 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Mortality data in patients with adrenal insufficiency are inconsistent, possibly due to temporal and geographical differences between patients and their reference populations. OBJECTIVE To compare mortality risk and causes of death in adrenal insufficiency with an individually matched reference population. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was done using a UK general practitioner database (CPRD). A total of 6821 patients with adrenal insufficiency (primary, 2052; secondary, 3948) were compared with 67564 individually-matched controls (primary, 20366; secondary, 39134). Main outcomes were all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and hospital admission from adrenal crisis. RESULTS With follow-up of 40 799 and 406 899 person-years for patients and controls respectively, the hazard ratio (HR [95% CI]) for all-cause mortality was 1.68 [1.58-1.77]. HRs were greater in primary (1.83 [1.66-2.02]) than in secondary (1.52 [1.40-1.64]) disease; primary versus secondary disease (1.16 [1.03-1.30]). The leading cause of death was cardiovascular disease (HR 1.54 [1.32-1.80]), along with malignant neoplasms and respiratory disease. Deaths from infection were also relatively high (HR 4.00 [2.15-7.46]). Adrenal crisis contributed to 10% of all deaths. In the first 2 years following diagnosis, the patients' mortality rate and hospitalization from adrenal crisis were higher than in later years. CONCLUSION Mortality was increased in adrenal insufficiency, especially primary, even with individual matching and was observed early in the disease course. Cardiovascular disease was the major cause but mortality from infection was also high. Adrenal crisis was a common contributor. Early education for prompt treatment of infections and avoidance of adrenal crisis hold potential to reduce mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanchana Ngaosuwan
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Desmond G Johnston
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ian F Godsland
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Cox
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS trust, London, UK
| | - Azeem Majeed
- School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Nick Oliver
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Stephen Robinson
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Worth C, Vyas A, Banerjee I, Lin W, Jones J, Stokes H, Komlosy N, Ball S, Clayton P. Acute Illness and Death in Children With Adrenal Insufficiency. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:757566. [PMID: 34721304 PMCID: PMC8548653 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.757566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenal Insufficiency (AI) can lead to life-threatening Adrenal Crisis (AC) and Adrenal Death (AD). Parents are trained to prevent, recognise and react to AC but there is little available information on what parents are actually doing at home to manage symptomatic AI. METHODS Three approaches were taken: (A) A retrospective analysis of patient characteristics in children and young people with AD over a 13-year period, (B) An interview-aided questionnaire to assess the circumstances around AC in children currently in our adrenal clinic, and (C) a separate study of parent perceptions of the administration of parenteral hydrocortisone. RESULTS Thirteen patients died (median age 10 years) over a thirteen-year period resulting in an estimated incidence of one AD per 300 patient years. Those with unspecified adrenal insufficiency were overrepresented (P = 0.004). Of the 127 patients contacted, thirty-eight (30%) were identified with hospital attendance with AC. Responses from twenty patients (median age 7.5 years) with AC reported nausea/vomiting (75%) and drowsiness (70%) as common symptoms preceding AC. All patients received an increase in oral hydrocortisone prior to admission but only two received intramuscular hydrocortisone. Questionnaires revealed that 79% of parents reported confidence in the administration of intramuscular hydrocortisone and only 20% identified a missed opportunity for injection. CONCLUSIONS In children experiencing AC, parents followed 'sick day' guidance for oral hydrocortisone, but rarely administered intramuscular hydrocortisone. This finding is discrepant from the 79% of parents who reported confidence in this task. Local training programmes for management of AC are comprehensive, but insufficient to prevent the most serious crises. New strategies to encourage use of parenteral hydrocortisone need to be devised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Worth
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Chris Worth,
| | - Avni Vyas
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Indraneel Banerjee
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Jones
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Stokes
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nicci Komlosy
- Department of Endocrinology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Ball
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Clayton
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Affiliation(s)
- Rimesh Pal
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iwasaku M, Tanaka S, Shinzawa M, Kawakami K. Impact of underlying chronic adrenal insufficiency on clinical course of hospitalized patients with adrenal crisis: A nationwide cohort study. Eur J Intern Med 2019; 64:24-28. [PMID: 30979617 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic adrenal insufficiency (AI) is an established risk factor for adrenal crisis (AC). However, the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed chronic AI during admission for AC is unclear. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used a Japanese claims database involving 7.39 million patients at 145 acute care hospitals between 2003 and 2014. Study patients with AC met these criteria: 1) newly coded in claims as AI; 2) glucocorticoid therapy administered; 3) admission; and 4) age ≥ 18 years. We investigated the prevalence of underlying chronic AI and assessed in-hospital mortality. Additionally, we explored risk factors for in-hospital mortality through multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Among 504 patients with AC, chronic AI was diagnosed before and during admission in 73 (14.5%) and 86 (17.1%) patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality rates were 1.4% and 5.8%, respectively, lower than that of the total population (14.1%). Significant risk factors for increased mortality were: age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.45/10 years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.78), requiring mechanical ventilation (HR 3.81; 95% CI 1.88-7.72), vasopressor administration (HR 2.05; 95% CI 1.16-3.64), sepsis (HR 3.79; 95% CI 1.57-9.14), AI-related symptoms (HR 2.00; 95% CI 1.02-3.93), and liver disease (HR 3.24; 95% CI 1.10-9.58). CONCLUSIONS Relative to patients without chronic AI, those diagnosed before admission tended to survive to discharge; however, the difference with those diagnosed during admission was not significant. Hospital admission due to nonspecific AI-related symptoms was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Iwasaku
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Shiro Tanaka
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Maki Shinzawa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Koji Kawakami
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Quinkler M, Ekman B, Zhang P, Isidori AM, Murray RD. Mortality data from the European Adrenal Insufficiency Registry-Patient characterization and associations. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2018; 89:30-35. [PMID: 29682773 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mortality from primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI; PAI and SAI, respectively) is 2-3-fold higher than in the general population. Mortality relates to cardiovascular disease, acute adrenal crisis (AC), cancer and infections; however, there has been little further characterization of patients who have died. DESIGN/METHODS We analysed real-world data from 2034 patients (801 PAI, 1233 SAI) in the European Adrenal Insufficiency Registry (EU-AIR; NCT01661387). Baseline clinical and biochemical data of patients who subsequently died were compared with those who remained alive. RESULTS From August 2012 to June 2017, 26 deaths occurred (8 PAI, 18 SAI) from cardiovascular disease (n = 9), infection (n = 4), suicide (n = 2), drug-induced hepatitis (n = 2), and renal failure, brain tumour, cachexia and AC (each n = 1); cause of death was unclear in 5 patients. Patients who died were significantly older at baseline than alive patients. Causes of AI were representative of patients with SAI; however, 3-quarters of deceased patients with PAI had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy (3 with uncontrolled Cushing's disease, 3 with metastatic renal cell cancer). There were no significant differences in body mass index, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol or electrolytes between deceased and alive patients. Deceased patients with SAI were more frequently male individuals, were receiving higher daily doses of hydrocortisone (24.0 ± 7.6 vs 19.3 ± 5.7 mg, P = .0016) and experienced more frequent ACs (11.1 vs 2.49/100 patient-years, P = .0389) than alive patients. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to provide detailed characteristics of deceased patients with AI. Older, male patients with SAI and frequent AC had a high mortality risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bertil Ekman
- Department of Endocrinology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | | | - Robert D Murray
- Department of Endocrinology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Buonocore F, Kühnen P, Suntharalingham JP, Del Valle I, Digweed M, Stachelscheid H, Khajavi N, Didi M, Brady AF, Blankenstein O, Procter AM, Dimitri P, Wales JK, Ghirri P, Knöbl D, Strahm B, Erlacher M, Wlodarski MW, Chen W, Kokai GK, Anderson G, Morrogh D, Moulding DA, McKee SA, Niemeyer CM, Grüters A, Achermann JC. Somatic mutations and progressive monosomy modify SAMD9-related phenotypes in humans. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:1700-1713. [PMID: 28346228 PMCID: PMC5409795 DOI: 10.1172/jci91913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that somatic genomic changes can influence phenotypes in cancer, but the role of adaptive changes in developmental disorders is less well understood. Here we have used next-generation sequencing approaches to identify de novo heterozygous mutations in sterile α motif domain-containing protein 9 (SAMD9, located on chromosome 7q21.2) in 8 children with a multisystem disorder termed MIRAGE syndrome that is characterized by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with gonadal, adrenal, and bone marrow failure, predisposition to infections, and high mortality. These mutations result in gain of function of the growth repressor product SAMD9. Progressive loss of mutated SAMD9 through the development of monosomy 7 (-7), deletions of 7q (7q-), and secondary somatic loss-of-function (nonsense and frameshift) mutations in SAMD9 rescued the growth-restricting effects of mutant SAMD9 proteins in bone marrow and was associated with increased length of survival. However, 2 patients with -7 and 7q- developed myelodysplastic syndrome, most likely due to haploinsufficiency of related 7q21.2 genes. Taken together, these findings provide strong evidence that progressive somatic changes can occur in specific tissues and can subsequently modify disease phenotype and influence survival. Such tissue-specific adaptability may be a more common mechanism modifying the expression of human genetic conditions than is currently recognized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buonocore
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Kühnen
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology and Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenifer P. Suntharalingham
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ignacio Del Valle
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Digweed
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Stachelscheid
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany, and Berlin-Brandenburg Centrum for Regenerative Therapies, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Noushafarin Khajavi
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology and Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohammed Didi
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Angela F. Brady
- North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Blankenstein
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology and Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annie M. Procter
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Dimitri
- Academic Unit of Child Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jerry K.H. Wales
- Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Health Queensland Clinical Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paolo Ghirri
- Department of Neonatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Brigitte Strahm
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Erlacher
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcin W. Wlodarski
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wei Chen
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - George K. Kokai
- Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Glenn Anderson
- Histopathology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Morrogh
- North East Thames Regional Genetics Laboratory Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dale A. Moulding
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shane A. McKee
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte M. Niemeyer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Grüters
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology and Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - John C. Achermann
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ono Y, Ono S, Yasunaga H, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Tanaka Y. Clinical features and practice patterns of treatment for adrenal crisis: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Japan. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:329-337. [PMID: 28130352 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenal crisis is an endocrine emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, the clinical features and practice patterns of treatment for adrenal crisis are not completely understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate patient characteristics, comorbidities and treatments of adrenal crisis. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients who received intravenous glucocorticoids for adrenal crisis at admission from 1 July 2007 to 31 March 2014, using a national inpatient database in Japan. RESULTS Among approximately 34 million inpatients in the database, we identified 799 patients diagnosed with adrenal crisis and coexisting primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency at admission. The median (interquartile range) age was 58 (28-73) years, and the overall in-hospital mortality was 2.4% (19 of 799 patients). The most common comorbidity at admission was infections excluding pneumonia and gastroenteritis (15.0%). There were 68 (8.5%) patients with gastroenteritis, and no deaths occurred among these patients. The patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency showed significantly higher proportions of admission to ICU, extracellular fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy and catecholamine use than the patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. There were no significant between-group differences in mortality rate and variation in intravenous glucocorticoids (short-acting glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone; moderate-acting glucocorticoid, prednisolone or methylprednisolone; long-acting glucocorticoid, dexamethasone or betamethasone). Of the 19 dead patients, 15 were aged above 60 years, 12 had impaired consciousness at admission and 13 received insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should be aware that older patients with impaired consciousness and diabetes mellitus are at relatively high risk of death from adrenal crisis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Ono
- Department of General MedicineNational Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ono
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health EconomicsSchool of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health EconomicsSchool of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health EconomicsSchool of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and InformaticsTokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Tanaka
- Department of General MedicineNational Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Burger-Stritt S, Pulzer A, Hahner S. Quality of Life and Life Expectancy in Patients with Adrenal Insufficiency: What Is True and What Is Urban Myth? Front Horm Res 2016; 46:171-83. [PMID: 27211797 DOI: 10.1159/000443918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
For a long time it has been assumed that patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency under established replacement therapy have a normal life expectancy and a normal everyday life. Recent studies now indicate both an impairment of quality of life (QoL) with a negative impact on daily life and increased mortality in a significant number of patients. The clinical presentation of patients varies considerably. While some neither suffer from reduced QoL nor from adrenal crisis, others are significantly more affected by the disease. Long-term management of patients is thus more challenging and goes far beyond identification of the correct maintenance dose of corticosteroids. The mortality from adrenal crisis is still high and prevention should be a top priority for endocrinologists. Concepts of replacement therapy as well as patient education and emergency equipment are currently being reassessed. Developments to improve patient care and treatment comprise novel glucocorticoid preparations that are closer to the physiological circadian cortisol profile, a uniform European emergency card and more standardized crisis prevention measures.
Collapse
|
10
|
Haviland RL, Toaff-Rosenstein RL, Reeves MP, Littman MP. Clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in soft-coated wheaten terrier dogs: 82 cases (1979-2013). Can Vet J 2016; 57:387-394. [PMID: 27041756 PMCID: PMC4790230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this retrospective case series, which included 82 client-owned soft-coated wheaten terriers, was to characterize clinical features of hypoadrenocorticism in this breed. Median age at diagnosis was 3.5 years. There was no gender predilection. Clinicopathologic findings included sodium/potassium ratio < 27 (85%), hyperkalemia (76%), hyponatremia (63%), elevated blood urea nitrogen (83%) or creatinine (71%), and hypercalcemia (36%). Nine dogs with normal sodium and potassium (11%) were older and less often azotemic, hyperphosphatemic, or hypercalcemic. Twenty-one dogs (26%) developed protein-losing nephropathy (n = 18) and/or end-stage renal disease (n = 3). Overall median survival time was 5.4 years, but was shorter in dogs with normal sodium and potassium at diagnosis (4.2 years), or those with subsequent protein-losing nephropathy (4.2 years). This population showed no gender predilection, unlike that reported in the general canine population with hypoadrenocorticism, and more comorbid protein-losing nephropathy than in the general soft-coated wheaten terrier population.
Collapse
|
11
|
Orozco F, Anders M, Mella J, Antinucci F, Pagano P, Esteban P, Cartier M, Romero G, Francini B, Mastai R. [Adrenal insufficiency in cirrhotic patients]. Medicina (B Aires) 2016; 76:208-212. [PMID: 27576278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) is a common finding in cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis, and increased mortality. Its significance is unknown in stable conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of RAI in stable cirrhotic patients at different stages of the disease. Also, the impact of RAI on the survival was evaluated and basal cortisol levels between plasma and saliva was correlated in control subjects and cirrhotic patients. Forty seven ambulatory patients and 16 control subjects were studied. RAI was defined as a serum cortisol increase of less than 9 υg/dl from baseline after the stimulation with 250 mg of synthetic ACTH. Twenty two had Child-Pugh = 8 and 25 = 9. The prevalence of RAI in patients with stable cirrhosis was 22%. A higher incidence of RAI was observed in patients with a Child-Pugh = 9 (8/32) than in those with = 8 (3/13, p < 0.05). A correlation between salivary cortisol and basal plasma cortisol (r = 0.6, p < 0.0004) was observed. Finally, survival at 1 year (97%) and 3 years (91%) was significantly higher without RAI than those who developed this complication (79% and 51%, p < 0.05, respectively). In summary, the prevalence of RAI is frequent in patients with stable cirrhosis and that it is related to the severity of liver diseaseand increased mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Orozco
- Servicio de Hepatología y Unidad de Trasplante, Hospital Alemán, Argentina.E-mail:
| | - María Anders
- Servicio de Hepatología y Unidad de Trasplante, Hospital Alemán, Argentina
| | - José Mella
- Servicio de Hepatología y Unidad de Trasplante, Hospital Alemán, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Mariano Cartier
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Bonorino Udaondo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Romero
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Bonorino Udaondo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bettina Francini
- Servicio de Hepatología y Unidad de Trasplante, Hospital Alemán, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Mastai
- Servicio de Hepatología y Unidad de Trasplante, Hospital Alemán, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hahner S, Spinnler C, Fassnacht M, Burger-Stritt S, Lang K, Milovanovic D, Beuschlein F, Willenberg HS, Quinkler M, Allolio B. High incidence of adrenal crisis in educated patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:407-16. [PMID: 25419882 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-3191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adrenal crisis (AC) is a life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency (AI), which according to retrospective data represents a significant clinical complication. Here we aimed to prospectively assess incidence of AC and mortality associated with AC in patients with chronic AI. METHODS A total of 423 patients with AI (primary AI, n = 221; secondary AI, n = 202) were prospectively followed up for 2 years. Baseline assessment included a general questionnaire and detailed written instructions on glucocorticoid dose adaptation during stress. Patients received follow-up questionnaires every 6 months and were contacted by phone in case of reported adrenal crisis. RESULTS A total of 423 data sets were available for baseline analysis, and 364 patients (86%) completed the whole study. Sixy-four AC in 767.5 patient-years were documented (8.3 crises per 100 patient-years). Precipitating causes were mainly gastrointestinal infection, fever, and emotional stress (20%, respectively) but also other stressful events (eg, major pain, surgery, strenuous physical activity, heat, pregnancy) or unexplained sudden onset of AC (7%) were documented. Patients with a previous AC were at higher risk of crisis (odds ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.5-5.5, P < .01). However, no further risk factors could be identified. Ten patients died during follow-up; in four cases death was associated with AC (0.5 AC related deaths per 100 patient-years). CONCLUSION Even in educated patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency, AC occurs in a substantial proportion of cases. Furthermore, we identified AC-associated mortality in approximately 6% of AC. Our findings further emphasize the need for improved management of AC in patients with chronic AI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hahner
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit (S.H., C.S., M.F., S.B.-S., K.L., D.M., B.A.), Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, and Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (S.H., M.F., B.A.), University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; Department of Endocrine Research (F.B.), Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80539 Munich, Germany; Division for Specific Endocrinology (H.S.W.), Medical Faculty, University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany; and Clinical Endocrinology Unit (M.Q.), Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bruder EA, Ball IM, Ridi S, Pickett W, Hohl C. Single induction dose of etomidate versus other induction agents for endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 1:CD010225. [PMID: 25568981 PMCID: PMC6517008 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010225.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of etomidate for emergency airway interventions in critically ill patients is very common. In one large registry trial, etomidate was the most commonly used agent for this indication. Etomidate is known to suppress adrenal gland function, but it remains unclear whether or not this adrenal gland dysfunction affects mortality. OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess, in populations of critically ill patients, whether a single induction dose of etomidate for emergency airway intervention affects mortality.The secondary objectives were to address, in populations of critically ill patients, whether a single induction dose of etomidate for emergency airway intervention affects adrenal gland function, organ dysfunction, or health services utilization (as measured by intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation, or vasopressor requirements).We repeated analyses within subgroups defined by the aetiologies of critical illness, timing of adrenal gland function measurement, and the type of comparator drug used. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; CINAHL; EMBASE; LILACS; International Pharmaceutical Abstracts; Web of Science; the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE); and ISI BIOSIS Citation index(SM) on 8 February 2013. We reran the searches in August 2014. We will deal with any studies of interest when we update the review.We also searched the Scopus database of dissertations and conference proceedings and the US Food and Drug Administration Database. We handsearched major emergency medicine, critical care, and anaesthesiology journals.We handsearched the conference proceedings of major emergency medicine, anaesthesia, and critical care conferences from 1990 to current, and performed a grey literature search of the following: Current Controlled Trials; National Health Service - The National Research Register; ClinicalTrials.gov; NEAR website. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials in patients undergoing emergency endotracheal intubation for critical illness, including but not limited to trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, septic shock, hypovolaemic or haemorrhagic shock, and undifferentiated shock states. We included single (bolus) dose etomidate for emergency airway intervention compared to any other rapid-acting intravenous bolus single-dose induction agent. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Refinement of our initial search results by title review, and then by abstract review was carried out by three review authors. Full-text review of potential studies was based on their adherence to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. This was decided by three independent review authors. We reported the decisions regarding inclusion and exclusion in accordance with the PRISMA statement.Electronic database searching yielded 1635 potential titles, and our grey literature search yielded an additional 31 potential titles. Duplicate titles were filtered leaving 1395 titles which underwent review of their titles and abstracts by three review authors. Sixty seven titles were judged to be relevant to our review, however only eight met our inclusion criteria and seven were included in our analysis. MAIN RESULTS We included eight studies in the review and seven in the meta-analysis. Of those seven studies, only two were judged to be at low risk of bias. Overall, no strong evidence exists that etomidate increases mortality in critically ill patients when compared to other bolus dose induction agents (odds ratio (OR) 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 1.60, 6 studies, 772 participants, moderate quality evidence). Due to a large number of participants lost to follow-up, we performed a post hoc sensitivity analysis. This gave a similar result (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.86 to 1.53). There was evidence that the use of etomidate in critically ill patients was associated with a positive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, and this difference was more pronounced at between 4 to 6 hours (OR 19.98; 95% CI 3.95 to 101.11) than after 12 hours (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.61 to 3.47) post-dosing. Etomidate's use in critically ill patients was associated with a small increase in SOFA score, indicating a higher risk of multisystem organ failure (mean difference (MD) 0.70; 95% CI 0.01 to 1.39, 2 studies, 591 participants, high quality evidence), but this difference was not clinically meaningful. Etomidate use did not have an effect on ICU LOS (MD 1.70 days; 95% CI -2.00 to 5.40, 4 studies, 621 participants, moderate quality evidence), hospital LOS (MD 2.41 days; 95% CI -7.08 to 11.91, 3 studies, 152 participants, moderate quality evidence), duration of mechanical ventilation (MD 2.14 days; 95% CI -1.67 to 5.95, 3 studies, 621 participants, moderate quality evidence), or duration of vasopressor use (MD 1.00 day; 95% CI -0.53 to 2.53, 1 study, 469 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Although we have not found conclusive evidence that etomidate increases mortality or healthcare resource utilization in critically ill patients, it does seem to increase the risk of adrenal gland dysfunction and multi-organ system dysfunction by a small amount. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. This evidence is judged to be of moderate quality, owing mainly to significant attrition bias in some of the smaller studies, and new research may influence the outcomes of our review. The applicability of these data may be limited by the fact that 42% of the patients in our review were intubated for "being comatose", a population less likely to benefit from the haemodynamic stability inherent in etomidate use, and less at risk from its potential negative downstream effects of adrenal suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Bruder
- Queen's UniversityDepartment of Emergency MedicineEmpire 3Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart StreetKingstonONCanadaK7L 2V7
| | - Ian M Ball
- Western UniversityDivision of Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineLondonONCanada
| | - Stacy Ridi
- Queen's UniversityDepartment of Anesthesia/Critical Care MedicineVictory 2, Anesthesia Department 76 Stuart StreetKingstonONCanadaK7L 2V7
| | - William Pickett
- Queen's UniversityDepartment of Public Health SciencesAngada 3, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart St.KingstonONCanadaK7L 2V7
| | - Corinne Hohl
- University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Emergency MedicineVancouver General Hospital855 West 12th AvVancouverBCCanadaV5Z 1M9
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mitchell AL, Napier C, Asam M, Siddaramaiah N, Heed A, Morris M, Miller M, Perros P, James RA, Ball SG, Pearce SHS, Quinton R. Saving lives of in-patients with adrenal insufficiency: implementation of an alert scheme within the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals e-Prescribing platform. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2014; 81:937-8. [PMID: 24712680 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Mitchell
- Department of Endocrinology, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Critical illness is uniformly characterized by elevated plasma cortisol concentrations, traditionally attributed exclusively to increased cortisol production driven by an activated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. However, as plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations are often not elevated or even low during critical illness, alternative mechanisms must contribute. RECENT FINDINGS Recent investigations revealed that plasma clearance of cortisol is markedly reduced during critical illness, explained by suppressed expression and activity of the main cortisol metabolizing enzymes in liver and kidney. Furthermore, unlike previously inferred, cortisol production rate in critically ill patients was only moderately increased to less than double that of matched healthy subjects. In the face of low-plasma ACTH concentrations, these data suggest that other factors drive hypercortisolism during critical illness, which may suppress ACTH by feedback inhibition. These new insights add to the limitations of the current diagnostic tools to identify patients at risk of failing adrenal function during critical illness. They also urge to investigate the impact of lower hydrocortisone doses than those hitherto used. SUMMARY Recent novel insights reshape the current understanding of the hormonal stress response to critical illness and further underline the need for more studies to unravel the pathophysiology of adrenal (dys)functioning during critical illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Boonen
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Quinkler M, Hahner S, Johannsson G, Stewart PM. Saving lives of patients with adrenal insufficiency: a pan-European initiative? Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2014; 80:319-21. [PMID: 24299429 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Quinkler
- Department of Endocrinology, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Moloney S, Dowling M. Early intervention and management of adrenal insufficiency in children. Nurs Child Young People 2012; 24:25-28. [PMID: 23155938 DOI: 10.7748/ncyp2012.09.24.7.25.c9275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The endocrine disorder adrenal insufficiency includes inadequate production of the steroid hormone cortisol. This results in poor physiological responses to illness, trauma or other stressors and risk of adrenal crisis. Management is based on administration of hydrocortisone. It is important to avoid under- or over-treatment and increase the dosage during times of physiological stress. To reduce morbidity, hospital admissions and mortality, the education and empowerment of parents and carers, and prompt intervention when necessary are essential. A steroid therapy card for adrenal insufficiency containing personal information on a patient's condition was developed for use by families and their specialist centres.
Collapse
|
18
|
Moraes RB, Friedman G, Tonietto T, Saltz H, Czepielewski M. Comparison of low and high dose cosyntropin stimulation tests in the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency in septic shock patients. Horm Metab Res 2012; 44:296-301. [PMID: 22351474 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1304320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Stress situations such as septic shock are accompanied by activation of the HPA axis. Some patients do not activate this axis in stress situations. This blunted response is currently designated as critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). Currently the 250 μg cosyntropin stimulation test is the preferred diagnostic test for CIRCI. Few papers explored the role of the 1 μg cosyntropin test in septic shock patients. In this study, we compared both tests in septic shock patients taking a special interest in the population with intermediary baseline cortisol. Prospective noninterventional study included 74 septic shock patients. After measurement of baseline cortisol all patients received 1 μg of cosyntropin i. v. and 4 h later 249 μg of cosyntropin. We compared the cortisol increase after each test and its relation to mortality and vasopressor therapy. There was a moderate correlation in response to low and high dose cosyntropin, r(s)=0.55. This correlation in patients with baseline cortisol between 10-34 μg/dl is, r(s)=0.67. The increase induced by both tests was equally accurate to identify mortality and time of vasopressor withdrawal. Low and high dose cosyntropin tests presented a moderate correlation in patients with baseline cortisol between 10-34 μg/dl. Both tests are equally accurate to identify mortality and time of vasopressor therapy. These results suggest that both tests could be used to diagnose CIRCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R B Moraes
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Schuster KM, Macleod JBA, Fernandez JB, Kumar M, Barquist ES. Adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol response to corticotropin releasing hormone in the critically ill-a novel assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Am J Surg 2011; 203:205-10. [PMID: 21679920 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency, common in surgical intensive care units, has not been fully elucidated. METHODS Patients at risk (age > 55 years, in the surgical intensive care unit >1 week, baseline cortisol < 20 μg/dL) were enrolled. After measuring cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was administered. ACTH and cortisol were measured over 120 minutes. Short and long cosyntropin stimulation tests determined adrenal function. Area under the curve (AUC) and mixed linear models were used to compare cortisol and ACTH responses. Patients were grouped according to survival and response to stimulation testing. Chi-square and t tests were performed, and P values < .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS Six of 25 patients responded poorly to cosyntropin, and 5 died compared with 3 after a normal response (P < .01). ACTH (AUC) and ACTH peak were increased in nonsurvivors after CRH administration. Cortisol peak and AUC were not different. CONCLUSIONS ACTH responsiveness was increased in nonsurvivors and may predict mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Schuster
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kwon YS, Kang E, Suh GY, Koh WJ, Chung MP, Kim H, Kwon OJ, Chung JH. A prospective study on the incidence and predictive factors of relative adrenal insufficiency in Korean critically-ill patients. J Korean Med Sci 2009; 24:668-73. [PMID: 19654950 PMCID: PMC2719193 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.4.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) in Korean critically-ill patients. All patients who were admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of Samsung Medical Center between January 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007 were prospectively evaluated using a short corticotropin stimulation test on the day of admission. RAI was defined as an increase in the serum cortisol level of <9 microg/dL from the baseline after administration of 250 microg of corticotropin. In all, 123 patients were recruited and overall the incidence of RAI was 44% (54/123). The presence of septic shock (P=0.001), the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II (P=0.003), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (P=0.001), the mean heart rate (P=0.040), lactate levels (P=0.001), arterial pH (P=0.047), treatment with vasopressors at ICU admission (P=0.004), and the 28-day mortality (P=0.041) were significantly different between patients with and without RAI. The multivariate analysis showed that the SOFA score was an independent predictor of RAI in critically-ill patients (odd ratio=1.235, P=0.032). Our data suggest that RAI is frequently found in Korean critically-ill patients and that a high SOFA score is an independent predictor of RAI in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Soo Kwon
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunhae Kang
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gee Young Suh
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Jung Koh
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Man Pyo Chung
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hojoong Kim
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - O Jung Kwon
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Chung
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Patients with adrenal insufficiency need lifelong glucocorticoid replacement, but many suffer from poor quality of life, and overall there is increased mortality. Moreover, it appears that use of glucocorticoids at the higher end of the replacement dose range is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic bone disease. These data highlight some of the inadequacies of current regimes. The cortisol production rate is estimated to be equivalent to 5.7-7.4 mg/m(2) per day, and a major difficulty for replacement regimes is the inability to match the distinct circadian rhythm of circulating cortisol levels, which are low at the time of sleep onset, rise between 0200 and 0400 h, peaking just after waking and then fall during the day. Another issue is that current dose equivalents of glucocorticoids used for replacement are based on anti-inflammatory potency, and few data exist as to doses needed for equivalent cardiovascular and bone effects. Weight-adjusted, thrice-daily dosing using hydrocortisone (HC) reduces glucocorticoid overexposure and represents the most refined regime for current oral therapy, but does not replicate the normal cortisol rhythm. Recently, proof-of-concept studies have shown that more physiological circadian glucocorticoid therapy using HC infusions and newly developed oral formulations of HC have the potential for better biochemical control in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Whether such physiological replacement will have an impact on the complications seen in patients with adrenal insufficiency will need to be analysed in future clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Debono
- Academic Unit of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Room OU142, O Floor, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Current therapy with immediate-release hydrocortisone is the most commonly used regimen for replacement in patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. However, conventional hydrocortisone cannot provide the physiological rhythm of cortisol release. Physicians have used fixed twice- or thrice-daily doses, but these regimens inevitably result in temporary over- or under-replacement. Patients with adrenal insufficiency, although on treatment, have a poor quality of life and an increased mortality. Optimization of current treatment has been attempted with thrice-daily, weight-related dosing, but this still fails to simulate the normal diurnal rhythm of cortisol. Recent research has investigated circadian hydrocortisone therapy imitating the physiological cortisol rhythm. Proof-of-concept studies using hydrocortisone infusions predict improvements in biochemical control and quality of life. Now delayed and sustained release oral formulations of hydrocortisone are being developed, and these offer a more practical and effective solution for patients with adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Debono
- Academic Unit of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
AIM To study the relationship between serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) concentrations and death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age in preterm infants. METHODS Prospective measurement of cord, day of birth (D0) and day 4 (D4) serum cortisol and DHEAS concentrations and performance of low-dose (LD) ACTH tests in 89 preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and in need of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS Serum DHEAS levels correlated negatively with gestational age. At all sampling times, basal serum cortisol levels correlated positively with gestation-adjusted DHEAS levels (r = 0.39-0.46, p = 0.0032-<0.0001). The mean cord, D0 basal and stimulated cortisol, and cord and D0 DHEAS adjusted for gestational age were lower in the poor than good outcome infants (p < 0.02 for all). In the multiple logistic regression analyses, gestational age was the most significant factor affecting outcome, but low cord and D0 basal and stimulated cortisol and gestation-adjusted DHEAS levels also predicted poor outcome (OR 5.7-22; p = 0.049-0.014). CONCLUSIONS Low cord and first day serum cortisol and DHEAS levels associated with poor outcome in preterm infants, which suggests general relative adrenocortical insufficiency in some premature newborns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Nykänen
- Department of Paediatrics, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Meya DB, Katabira E, Otim M, Ronald A, Colebunders R, Njama D, Mayanja-Kizza H, Whalen CC, Sande M. Functional adrenal insufficiency among critically ill patients with human immunodeficiency virus in a resource-limited setting. Afr Health Sci 2007; 7:101-7. [PMID: 17594287 PMCID: PMC1925266 DOI: 10.5555/afhs.2007.7.2.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional adrenal insufficiency (FAI) is associated with increased mortality and is defined as subnormal cortisol production during acute severe illness. METHODS After screening 200 adult patients admitted in the medical emergency unit of Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, 113 critically ill HIV-infected adults not receiving corticosteroids were enrolled after obtaining informed consent to determine the prevalence and factors associated with FAI. RESULTS Functional adrenal insufficiency, defined in this study as morning total serum cortisol level of 3%) occurred in 52% (11 of 21) patients with FAI compared to 24% (22 of 92) patients with normal adrenal function (p= 0.01). Factors predicting FAI on multivariate analysis were use of rifampicin and eosinophilia. The mortality rate among patients with FAI (19%) was not significantly different when compared to that among patients with a normal cortisol response (33%) (p=0.221). Hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, postural hypotension and the use of ketoconazole were not associated with FAI in this study. CONCLUSION The diagnosis of FAI should be considered in severely ill patients with stage IV HIV disease using rifampicin or those found to have unexplained eosinophilia. Further studies to determine benefits of corticosteroids in critically ill HIV patients are needed in this setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David B Meya
- Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University, Faculty of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) can be identified in nonseptic hypotensive patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN Retrospective study in a medical-surgical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS One hundred and seventy-two nonseptic ICU patients (51% after trauma or surgery), who underwent a short 250 microg ACTH test because of > 6 h hypotension or vasopressor/inotropic therapy. MEASUREMENTS On the test day, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were calculated to estimate disease severity. The ICU mortality until day 28 was recorded. Best discriminative levels of baseline cortisol, increases and peaks were established using receiver operating characteristic curves. These and corticosteroid treatment (in n = 112, 65%), among other variables, were examined by multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to find independent predictors of ICU mortality until day 28. RESULTS ICU mortality until day 28 was 23%. Nonsurvivors had higher SAPS II and SOFA scores. Baseline cortisol levels correlated directly with albumin levels and SAPS II. In the multivariate analyses, a cortisol baseline > 475 nmol/l and cortisol increase < 200 nmol/l predicted mortality, largely dependent on disease severity but independent of albumin levels. Corticosteroid (hydrocortisone) treatment was not associated with an improved outcome, regardless of the ACTH test results. CONCLUSION In nonseptic hypotensive ICU patients, a low cortisol/ACTH response and treatment with corticosteroids do not contribute to mortality prediction by severity of disease. The data thus argue against RAI identifiable by cortisol/ACTH testing and necessitating corticosteroid substitution treatment in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margriet F C de Jong
- Intensive Care and Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Smart JL, Tolle V, Otero-Corchon V, Low MJ. Central dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in neuron-specific proopiomelanocortin-deficient mice. Endocrinology 2007; 148:647-59. [PMID: 17095588 DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-0990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is synthesized predominantly in pituitary corticotrophs, melanotrophs, and arcuate hypothalamic neurons. Corticotroph-derived ACTH mediates basal and stress-induced glucocorticoid secretion, but it is uncertain whether POMC peptides produced in the brain also regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. To address this question, we generated neuron-specific POMC-deficient mice by transgenic (Tg) replacement of pituitary POMC in a global Pomc(-/-) background. Selective restoration of pituitary POMC prevented the adrenal insufficiency and neonatal mortality characteristic of Pomc(-/-) mice. However, adult Pomc(-/-)Tg/+ mice expressing the pituitary-specific transgene exhibited adrenal cortical hypertrophy, elevated basal plasma corticosterone, elevated basal but attenuated stress-induced ACTH secretion, and inappropriately elevated CRH expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. In addition, Pomc(-/-)Tg/+, Pomc(+/-)Tg/+, and Pomc(+/-) mice, which all displayed varying degrees of elevated CRH, frequently developed melanotroph adenomas after 1 yr of age, whereas Pomc(-/-) mice, with maximal CRH expression and glucocorticoid disinhibition, developed corticotroph and melanotroph adenomas. These results indicate that neuronal POMC peptides are necessary to regulate CRH within physiological limits and that a chronic reduction or absence of hypothalamic POMC leads to trophic stimulation of pituitary cells directly or indirectly through elevated CRH levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James L Smart
- Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders, L-481, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
A recent study reported that 77% of patients with septic shock had relative adrenal insufficiency. However, all patients were mechanically ventilated and received high-dose inotropes. In addition, at least 24% had prior exposure to etomidate, a drug known to suppress adrenal function. We studied the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in etomidate-naïve patients with septic shock by analysing the adrenal response to high-dose short synacthen test in 113 consecutive patients from three university-affiliated intensive care units in Australia. Patients were allocated to three groups according to severity of illness and inclusion criteria of the trial of low dose hydrocortisone supplementation using information from patient records. Of the 113 patients, 98 had septic shock (Group A). The incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in this subpopulation was 24.5%. Eighty-one per cent of patients with septic shock were mechanically ventilated (Group B). In this group, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was 27.8%. Only 38 of the 98 patients with septic shock (39%) fulfilled inclusion criteria for the steroid supplementation trial (Group C). In this group, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was only 34.2%. In all groups its presence was associated with a higher mortality. We conclude that the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in etomidate-naive septic shock patients was lower than observed in the steroid supplementation trial. Further, in those who fulfilled inclusion criteria for the trial, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was half that reported by the trial. Our observations raise concerns about the generalizability of the findings of the above trial to etomidate-naïve patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Jones
- Department of Intensive Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
Critical illness evoked by trauma, extensive surgery, or severe medical illnesses is the ultimate example of acute severe physical stress. The endocrine response in a critically injured and stressed patient is varied and complex. Although the acute and chronic phases of critical illness are characterized by distinct endocrine responses, the diagnosis of these disorders is controversial. The inability to define the endocrine change as either adaptation or pathology renders the issue of treatment even more controversial. In addition, patients may have preexisting endocrine diseases, either previously diagnosed or unknown, and hence endocrine evaluation in a critically ill patient poses a major challenge to the health care provider. This review provides a novel insight into the dynamic endocrine alterations that occur during evolution of stress hyperglycemia and adrenal insufficiency in the critically ill patient and the available evidence for the therapy of these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murugan Raghavan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
All endocrinologists would like to make glucocorticoid replacement therapy for their hypoadrenal patients as physiological as possible. Many would like the reassurance of a method of monitoring such treatment to confirm that they are achieving this aim. Advances in our knowledge of the normal physiology are relevant to our attempts to do this. The cortisol production rate in normal subjects is lower than was previously believed. The normal pattern of glucocorticoid secretion includes both a diurnal rhythm and a pulsatile ultradian rhythm. Glucocorticoid access to nuclear receptors is 'gated' by the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes, which interconvert active cortisol and inactive cortisone. Such complexities make the target of physiological glucocorticoid replacement therapy hard to achieve. The available evidence suggests that conventional treatment of hypoadrenal patients may result in adverse effects on some surrogate markers of disease risk, such as a lower bone mineral density than age-sex matched controls, and increases in postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. Although the quality of life of hypoadrenal patients may be impaired, there is no evidence of an improvement on higher doses of steroids, although quality of life is better if the hydrocortisone dose is split up, with the highest dose taken in the morning. Thus the evidence suggests that most patients may safely be treated with a low dose of glucocorticoid (e.g. 15 mg hydrocortisone daily) in two or three divided doses, with education about the appropriate action to take in the event of intercurrent illnesses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Crown
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
den Brinker M, Joosten KFM, Liem O, de Jong FH, Hop WCJ, Hazelzet JA, van Dijk M, Hokken-Koelega ACS. Adrenal insufficiency in meningococcal sepsis: bioavailable cortisol levels and impact of interleukin-6 levels and intubation with etomidate on adrenal function and mortality. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90:5110-7. [PMID: 15985474 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2005-1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adequate adrenal function is pivotal to survive meningococcal sepsis. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to evaluate adrenocortical function in meningococcal disease. DESIGN This was an observational cohort study. SETTING The study was conducted at a university-affiliated pediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS Sixty children with meningococcal sepsis or septic shock participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The differences in adrenal function between nonsurvivors (n = 8), shock survivors (n = 43), and sepsis survivors (n = 9) on pediatric intensive care unit admission were measured. RESULTS Nonsurvivors had significantly lower median cortisol to ACTH ratio than shock survivors and sepsis survivors. Because cortisol binding globulin and albumin levels did not significantly differ among the groups, bioavailable cortisol levels were also significantly lower in nonsurvivors than sepsis survivors. Nonsurvivors had significantly lower cortisol to 11-deoxycortisol ratios but not lower 11-deoxycortisol to 17-hydroxyprogesterone ratios than survivors. Using multiple regression analysis, decreased cortisol to ACTH ratio was significantly related to higher IL-6 levels and intubation with etomidate (one single bolus), whereas decreased cortisol to 11-deoxycortisol ratio was significantly related only to intubation with etomidate. Aldosterone levels tended to be higher in nonsurvivors than shock survivors, whereas plasma renin activity did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that the most severely ill children with septic shock had signs of adrenal insufficiency. Bioavailable cortisol levels were not more informative on adrenal function than total cortisol levels. Besides disease severity, one single bolus of etomidate during intubation was related to decreased adrenal function and 11beta-hydroxylase activity. Decreased adrenal function was not related to decreased 21-hydroxylase activity. Based on our results, it seems of vital importance to take considerable caution using etomidate and consider combining its administration with glucocorticoids during intubation of children with septic shock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke den Brinker
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center--Sophia Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Poon D, Cheung YB, Tay MH, Lim WT, Lim ST, Wong NS, Koo WH. Adrenal insufficiency in intestinal obstruction from carcinomatosis peritonei--a factor of potential importance in symptom palliation. J Pain Symptom Manage 2005; 29:411-8. [PMID: 15857745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2004.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroids are used in the management of intestinal obstruction (IO) in carcinomatosis peritonei. There is considerable overlap in the symptoms experienced in IO and functional adrenal insufficiency (AI). The success of symptom palliation in IO may be related to the presence of AI. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the incidence of functional adrenal insufficiency in patients with IO and its relation to clinical outcome and symptom control. Twenty-nine consecutive patients with IO and carcinomatosis peritonei from gastrointestinal cancers admitted to our inpatient service between January and October 2002 were analyzed. They were screened for AI using the short corticotropin stimulation test. Thirteen patients (45%) had functional AI. Differences in characteristics of patients with normal adrenal function (Group 1) and adrenal insufficiency (Group 2) were not statistically significant. Time taken to control symptoms in Group 2 was longer. Mean duration of hospitalization per month of survival was two times longer in Group 2 relative to Group 1 (7.9 versus 4.0 days, P=0.011). Functional AI may be caused by cytokines produced in advanced cancer mediating direct adrenal suppression. Prompt corticosteroid therapy in the presence of AI may facilitate IO symptom palliation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald Poon
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Mills JL, Schonberger LB, Wysowski DK, Brown P, Durako SJ, Cox C, Kong F, Fradkin JE. Long-term mortality in the United States cohort of pituitary-derived growth hormone recipients. J Pediatr 2004; 144:430-6. [PMID: 15069388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2003.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients who received pituitary-derived growth hormone (GH) are at excess risk of mortality from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. We investigated whether they were at increased risk of death from other conditions, particularly preventable conditions. STUDY DESIGN A cohort (N=6107) from known US pituitary-derived GH recipients (treated 1963-1985) was studied. Deaths were identified by reports from physicians and parents and the National Death Index. Rates were compared with the expected rates for the US population standardized for race, age, and sex. RESULTS There were 433 deaths versus 114 expected (relative risk [RR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4-4.2; P<.0001) from 1963 through 1996. Risk was increased in subjects with GH deficiency caused by any tumor (RR, 10.4; 95% CI, 9.1-12.0; P<.0001). Surprisingly, subjects with hypoglycemia treated within the first 6 months of life were at extremely high risk (RR, 18.3; 95% CI, 9.2-32.8; P<.0001), as were all subjects with adrenal insufficiency (RR, 7.1; 95% CI, 6.2-8.2; P<.0001). A quarter of all deaths were sudden and unexpected. Of the 26 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, four cases have died since 2000. CONCLUSIONS The death rate in pituitary-derived GH recipients was almost four times the expected rate. Replacing pituitary-derived GH with recombinant GH has eliminated only the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Hypoglycemia and adrenal insufficiency accounted for far more mortality than Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The large number of potentially preventable deaths in patients with adrenal insufficiency and hypoglycemia underscores the importance of early intervention when infection occurs in patients with adrenal insufficiency, and aggressive treatment of panhypopituitarism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James L Mills
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 6100 Building Room 7B03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
This study analyzed the frequency of recurrence and postoperative adrenocortical function in 16 patients who had been operated on by bilateral subtotal adrenalectomy since 1995. Bilateral pheochromocytoma was found in 13 patients, bilateral adrenal metastases in 2 patients, and bilateral micronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia with primary aldosteronism in 1 patient. An endoscopic approach was performed in four patients. The remaining 12 patients were operated on by an open approach. In ten patients, unilateral subtotal adrenalectomy with contralateral total adrenalectomy (synchronous or metachronous) was performed. Six patients underwent bilateral subtotal adrenalectomy. In all patients, a total of residual adrenal tissue of at least 1/3 of a normal adrenal gland was left in situ. 15 patients were successfully weaned from exogenous steroid substitution. During a mean follow-up period of 24 months, no recurrences were observed. Three patients died without local recurrence. The present study provided evidence for the safety and benefit of subtotal bilateral adrenalectomy, which could guarantee sufficient adrenocortical function in adrenal remnant volume of more than one-third of one adrenal gland even after dividing the main adrenal vein. At our institution, particularly in patients with inherited pheochromocytoma, subtotal adrenalectomy has become a common surgical strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Brauckhoff
- Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefässchirurgie, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Manglik S, Flores E, Lubarsky L, Fernandez F, Chhibber VL, Tayek JA. Glucocorticoid insufficiency in patients who present to the hospital with severe sepsis: a prospective clinical trial. Crit Care Med 2003; 31:1668-75. [PMID: 12794402 DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000063447.37342.a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the incidence of secondary adrenal insufficiency in severe sepsis. DESIGN Prospective clinical trial testing 100 patients with a 250-microg adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. SETTING County-university teaching hospital. PATIENTS One hundred patients with sepsis and septic shock. Forty patients had bacteremia and 17% shock. INTERVENTIONS ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, and electrolyte concentrations were measured at baseline. Cortisol and aldosterone were measured 30 and 60 mins after ACTH (250 microg). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Nine of the 100 patients (9%) failed the ACTH stimulation test (all serum cortisol <20 microg/dL). The 91 patients with sepsis began with a serum cortisol at 29.3 +/- 2.5, and it increased to 40.1 +/- 2.6 and 46.9 +/- 2.7 microg/dL at times 30 and 60 mins, respectively. Serum cortisol in nine septic patients who failed the ACTH stimulation test had an initial concentration of 11.3 +/- 1.8 microg/dL, and it increased at time 30 mins to 14.0 +/- 1.9 microg/dL and at 60 mins to 15.7 +/- 1.8 microg/dL. Four of the nine patients had secondary adrenal insufficiency as determined by a normal aldosterone response to ACTH. The remaining five patients had an absent aldosterone response to ACTH and baseline ACTH concentrations that were not elevated, suggesting adrenal dysfunction. Serum sodium (128 +/- 4 vs. 138 +/- 1 mmol/L, p <.05) and glucose concentrations (121 +/- 20 vs. 163 +/- 11 mg/dL, p <.05) were reduced in the nine patients. Of the four patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency, two had a history of amenorrhea after birth of their children many years earlier. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that 9% of adults with sepsis fail the ACTH stimulation test due to a mixture of etiologies. A reduced sodium or glucose concentration may be helpful in identifying glucocorticoid (adrenal) insufficiency in patients with sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savita Manglik
- Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Acute liver failure and septic shock share many clinical features, including hyperdynamic cardiovascular collapse. Adrenal insufficiency may result in a similar cardiovascular syndrome. In septic shock, adrenal insufficiency, defined using the short synacthen test (SST), is associated with hemodynamic instability and poor outcome. We examined the SST, a dynamic test of adrenal function, in 45 patients with acute hepatic dysfunction (AHD) and determined the association of these results with hemodynamic profile, severity of illness, and outcomes. Abnormal SSTs were common, occurring in 62% of patients. Those who required noradrenaline (NA) for blood pressure support had a significantly lower increment (median, 161 vs. 540 nmol/L; P <.001) following synacthen compared with patients who did not. Increment and peak were lower in patients who required ventilation for the management of encephalopathy (increment, 254 vs. 616 nmol/L, P <.01; peak, 533 vs. 1,002 nmol/L, P <.01). Increment was significantly lower in those who fulfilled liver transplant criteria compared with those who did not (121 vs. 356 nmol/L; P <.01). Patients who died or underwent liver transplantation had a lower increment (148 vs. 419 nmol/L) and peak (438 vs. 764 nmol/L) than those who survived (P <.01). There was an inverse correlation between increment and severity of illness (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, r = -0.63; P <.01). In conclusion, adrenal dysfunction assessed by the SST is common in AHD and may contribute to hemodynamic instability and mortality. It is more frequent in those with severe liver disease and correlates with severity of illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Harry
- Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, London, England
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate pituitary-adrenal function in a population of critically ill dogs by measuring serial plasma concentrations of basal cortisol, ACTH-stimulated cortisol, and endogenous ACTH. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 20 critically ill dogs admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). PROCEDURE Basal plasma cortisol, ACTH-stimulated cortisol, and endogenous ACTH concentrations were measured for each dog within 24 hours of admission and daily until death, euthanasia, or discharge from the ICU. Established reference ranges for healthy dogs were used for comparison. Survival prediction index (SPI) scores were calculated for each dog within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS No significant difference was found between initial concentrations of basal cortisol, ACTH-stimulated cortisol, and endogenous ACTH in 13 dogs that survived and those in 7 dogs that died. High initial basal endogenous ACTH concentrations were correlated with subsequent high values. Low basal ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations were predictive of higher subsequent values. All basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations were within or above the reference range in the 52 plasma samples collected from the 20 dogs during hospitalization. The SPI scores correlated with outcome (ie, alive or dead), but none of the plasma hormone concentrations correlated with SPI score or outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicate that none of the critically ill dogs in our study population developed adrenal insufficiency during hospitalization in the ICU.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Prittie
- Department of Medicine, Bobst Hospital, The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Oelkers W, Diederich S, Bähr V. Therapeutic strategies in adrenal insufficiency. Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2001; 62:212-6. [PMID: 11353897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe chronic adrenal insufficiency (primary or secondary) is a potentially lethal disorder, unless the patient is regularly substituted with glucocorticoids, usually with hydrocortisone (15-25 mg/day) and with 9 alpha-fluor-hydrocortisone (0.05-0.2 mg/day) in addition in patients with the primary adrenal disorder (Addison's disease). In stressful situations and in febrile disorders, the glucocorticoid dosage must be increased prophylactically in order to prevent an "adrenal crisis". Most women with adrenal insufficiency will profit from the additional substitution of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) with regard to well-being and sexual function. A patient with acute adrenal insufficiency will die if the diagnosis is missed and high-dose glucocorticoid treatment is not instituted immediately. Acute adrenal insufficiency developing de novo in an intensive care patient (e.g. from adrenal hemorrhage or adrenal vein thrombosis) is a most challenging diagnosis. In these patients, however, survival not only depends on glucocorticoid substitution but also on the underlying disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Oelkers
- Division of Endocrinology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional adrenal insufficiency has been documented in critically ill adults. OBJECTIVE To document the incidence of adrenal insufficiency in children with septic shock, and to evaluate its effect on catecholamine requirements, duration of intensive care, and mortality. SETTING Sixteen-bed paediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital. METHODS Thirty three children with septic shock were enrolled. Adrenal function was assessed by the maximum cortisol response after synthetic adrenocorticotropin stimulation (short Synacthen test). Insufficiency was defined as a post-Synacthen cortisol increment < 200 nmol/l. RESULTS Overall mortality was 33%. The incidence of adrenal insufficiency was 52% and children with adrenal insufficiency were significantly older and tended to have higher paediatric risk of mortality scores. They also required higher dose vasopressors for haemodynamic stability. In the survivor group, those with adrenal insufficiency needed a longer period of inotropic support than those with normal function (median, 3 v 2 days), but there was no significant difference in duration of ventilation (median, 4 days for each group) or length of stay (median, 5 v 4 days). Mortality was not significantly greater in children with adrenal insufficiency than in those with adequate adrenal function (6 of 17 v 5 of 16, respectively). CONCLUSION Adrenal insufficiency is common in children with septic shock. It is associated with an increased vasopressor requirement and duration of shock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Hatherill
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Taback SP, Dean HJ. Mortality in Canadian children with growth hormone (GH) deficiency receiving GH therapy 1967-1992. The Canadian Growth Hormone Advisory Committee. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996; 81:1693-6. [PMID: 8626817 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.81.5.8626817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the risk of death and potential for prevention of mortality in a large population of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The Canadian GH Advisory Committee registry was initiated in 1967 to include all persons in Canada treated with pituitary-derived GH (1967-1985). Since 1985, the registry has been maintained for continuous surveillance of those treated with biosynthetic GH. Thirty-seven children have died out of a total of 1366 children treated for GHD in the 25 years up to December 31, 1992. Individual cases were reviewed for circumstances before death and autopsy information. The likelihood of individual deaths being caused by potentially preventable endocrine causes was graded on a scale of 1-5. Survival curves were analyzed for the children with idiopathic GHD and craniopharyngioma. Age- and sex-specific mortality rates for children with idiopathic GHD were compared with those of the general population. The overall crude mortality rate was 2.7%. The most frequent cause of mortality was tumor recurrence (11/37). A surprisingly high proportion of deaths (9/37) were caused by the preventable endocrine complications of adrenal crisis and hypoglycemia. Children with idiopathic GHD receiving GH therapy had similar age- and sex-specific mortality rates compared with general population rates, except in a high-risk subgroup of males diagnosed with GHD before 2 yr of age. The highest mortality occurred in children with GHD secondary to craniopharyngioma. We concluded that preventable sudden deaths caused by adrenal crisis continue to occur in children with hypopituitarism. A high level of vigilance must be maintained in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P Taback
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Jurney TH, Cockrell JL, Lindberg JS, Lamiell JM, Wade CE. Spectrum of serum cortisol response to ACTH in ICU patients. Correlation with degree of illness and mortality. Chest 1987; 92:292-5. [PMID: 3038477 DOI: 10.1378/chest.92.2.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reports suggest adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients is common. We found only one case of de novo adrenal insufficiency using admission ACTH injection in 70 selected intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Random serum cortisol levels correlated positively with illness severity in ICU patients using proven methods for assessing illness severity. Those with the highest random serum cortisol levels (greater than 60 micrograms/dl) had the greatest mortality, while those with lower random cortisol levels which stimulated to more than 18 micrograms/dl after ACTH injection had improved outcomes. Based on our results, routine screening for adrenal insufficiency in ICU patients is not warranted. If it is suspected, the cosyntropin test should be performed since low random cortisol levels (even to 5 micrograms/dl) are not diagnostic of adrenal insufficiency.
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
A diagnosis of congenital adrenal hypoplasia was established in a male child at 3 years of age. Although there was biochemical evidence of mineralocorticoid deficiency when he was 2 months old, no definite glucocorticoid deficiency was demonstrated. The child thrived well without replacement hormone therapy until he contracted an illness associated with vomiting. Subsequent tests confirmed the existence of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiencies due to adrenal hypoplasia. This case and the other reported in the literature point out that the glucocorticoid deficiency in congenital adrenal hypoplasia may become progressively more severe with time. Congenital adrenal hypoplasia may be the correct diagnosis in cases mistakenly diagnosed as acquired adrenal insufficiency.
Collapse
|
42
|
|
43
|
Abstract
Four thousand seven hundred twenty-eight autopsies performed at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute were reviewed to determine causes of death from cancer. The duration of the disease from the date of diagnosis to death, the primary site of the tumor, a detailed description of the presence or absence of metastatic tumor at a series of sites, and an estimate of the total tumor mass were included in the evaluation. Twenty-three common primary sites were selected for investigation. These sites represented 99% of the total series. Nine causes of death were described. These were respiratory failure, infection, toxic drug reaction, hepatic failure, renal failure, shock or heart failure, adrenal gland failure, electrolyte imbalance, and central nervous system failure. Some of these associations were obviuosly due to the direct destruction of the organ in question. There are some differences, however, comparing lung lesions to hepatic lesions. These and other factors are recited in the text.
Collapse
|
44
|
|