scholarly journals THERAPY OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Perspectives on the management of adrenal insufficiency: clinical insights from across Europe

2013 ◽  
Vol 169 (6) ◽  
pp. R165-R175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Grossman ◽  
Gudmundur Johannsson ◽  
Marcus Quinkler ◽  
Pierre Zelissen
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Dose Selection ◽  
Endocrine Disease ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Medical Need ◽  
Life Threatening

BackgroundConventional glucocorticoid (GC) replacement for patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) is inadequate. Patients with AI continue to have increased mortality and morbidity and compromised quality of life despite treatment and monitoring.Objectivesi) To review current management of AI and the unmet medical need based on literature and treatment experience and ii) to offer practical advice for managing AI in specific clinical situations.MethodsThe review considers the most urgent questions endocrinologists face in managing AI and presents generalised patient cases with suggested strategies for treatment.ResultsOptimisation and individualisation of GC replacement remain a challenge because available therapies do not mimic physiological cortisol patterns. While increased mortality and morbidity appear related to inadequate GC replacement, there are no objective measures to guide dose selection and optimisation. Physicians must rely on experience to recognise the clinical signs, which are not unique to AI, of inadequate treatment. The increased demand for corticosteroids during periods of stress can result in a life-threatening adrenal crisis (AC) in a patient with AI. Education is paramount for patients and their caregivers to anticipate, recognise and provide proper early treatment to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ACs.ConclusionsThis review highlights and offers suggestions to address the challenges endocrinologists encounter in treating patients with AI. New preparations are being developed to better mimic normal physiological cortisol levels with convenient, once-daily dosing which may improve treatment outcomes.

scholarly journals Adrenal Insufficiency - Aetiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Nazma Akter ◽  
Nazmul Kabir Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Term Management

Adrenal insufficiency is caused by either primary adrenal failure or by hypothalamic-pituitary impairment of the corticotropic axis. Adrenal insufficiency, first codified in 1855 by Thomas Addison, remains relevant in 2014 because of its lethal nature. Though, it is a rare disease but is life threatening when overlooked. Main presenting symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia and weight loss are nonspecific, thus diagnosis is often delayed. The diagnostic work-up is well established but some pitfalls remain. The diagnosis is adequately established by the 250 ?g ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) stimulation test in most cases. Glucocorticoids provide life saving treatment but long-term quality of life is impaired, perhaps because therapy is not given in a physiologic way. Dehydroepiandrosterone-replacement therapy has been introduced that could help to restore quality of life. It may be useful in pubertal girls, but not in adults. Monitoring of glucocorticoid-replacement is difficult due to lack of objective methods of assessment and is therefore largely based on clinical grounds. Thus, long-term management of patients with adrenal insufficiency remains a challenge, requiring an experienced specialist. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v3i1.22238 Delta Med Col J. Jan 2015; 3(1): 36-47

Improved Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Adrenal Insufficiency by Using a Novel Once-Daily Dual Release Hydrocortisone Tablet: A Randomised Controlled, Cross-Over Trial.

2010 ◽  
pp. P3-646-P3-646
Author(s):  
G Johannsson ◽  
AG Nilsson ◽  
R Bergthorsdottir ◽  
PA Burman ◽  
B Eden Engstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Dual Release ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Adrenal insufficiency in a woman secondary to standard-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate therapy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey M Hay ◽  
Daniel I Spratt
Keyword(s):  
Fluticasone Propionate ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Cortisol Level ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
List Type ◽  
Morning Cortisol ◽  
Low Serum

Summary A 55-year-old woman with asthma presented with adrenal insufficiency of unknown origin. She was referred to our Division of Reproductive Endocrinology to further evaluate an undetectable morning cortisol level discovered during the evaluation of a low serum DHEA-S level. She was asymptomatic other than having mild fatigue and weight gain. Her medication list included 220 μg of inhaled fluticasone propionate twice daily for asthma, which she was taking as prescribed. On presentation, the undetectable morning cortisol level was confirmed. A urinary measurement of fluticasone propionate 17β-carboxylic acid was markedly elevated. Fluticasone therapy was discontinued and salmeterol therapy initiated with supplemental hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone therapy was discontinued after 2 months. A repeat urinary fluticasone measurement 4 months after the discontinuation of fluticasone therapy was undetectably low and morning cortisol level was normal at 18.0 μg/dl. Inhaled fluticasone is generally considered to be minimally systemically absorbed. This patient's only clinical evidence suggesting adrenal insufficiency was fatigue accompanying a low serum DHEA-S level. This case demonstrates that adrenal insufficiency can be caused by a routine dose of inhaled fluticasone. Missing this diagnosis could potentially result in adrenal crisis upon discontinuation of fluticasone therapy. Learning points Standard-dose inhaled fluticasone can cause adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients taking, or who have recently discontinued, inhaled fluticasone therapy and present with new onset of nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, depression, myalgia, arthralgia, unexplained weight loss, and nausea that are suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in postoperative patients who exhibit signs of hypoadrenalism after fluticasone therapy has been withheld in the perioperative setting. Routine screening for hypoadrenalism in patients without clinical signs or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency after the discontinuation of inhaled fluticasone therapy is not indicated due to the apparently low incidence of adrenal insufficiency caused by fluticasone.

scholarly journals Adrenal Insufficiency: Investigating Prevalence and Healthcare Utilization Using Administrative Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarpreet S Sekhon ◽  
Katelynn Crick ◽  
Tyler W Myroniuk ◽  
Kevin S C Hamming ◽  
Mahua Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Healthcare Burden ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Outpatient Settings

Abstract Introduction Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is an uncommon, life-threatening disorder requiring lifelong treatment with steroid therapy and special attention to prevent adrenal crisis. Little is known about the prevalence of AI in Canada or healthcare utilization rates by these patients. Objective We aimed to assess the prevalence and healthcare burden of AI in Alberta, Canada. Methods This study used a population-based, retrospective administrative health data approach to identify patients with a diagnosis of AI over a 5-year period and evaluated emergency and outpatient healthcare utilization rates, steroid dispense records and visit reasons. Results The period prevalence of AI was 839 per million adults. Patients made an average of 2.3 and 17.8 visits per year in the emergency department and outpatient settings, respectively. This was 3-4 times as frequent as the average Albertan and only 5% were coded as visits for AI. The majority of patients were dispensed glucocorticoid medications only. Conclusion The prevalence of AI in Alberta is higher than published data in other locations. The frequency of visits suggests a significant healthcare burden and emphasizes the need for a strong understanding of this condition across all clinical settings. Our most concerning finding is that 94.3% of visits were not labelled with AI, even though many of the top presenting complaints were consistent with adrenal crisis. Several data limitations were discovered that suggest improvements in the standardization of data submission and coding can expand the yield of future studies using this method.

scholarly journals An Open-Label, Head to Head Comparison Study between Prucalopride and Lactulose for Clozapine Induced Constipation in Patients with Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 533
Author(s):  
Ishwary Damodaran ◽  
Koh Ong Hui ◽  
Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin ◽  
Anne Yee ◽  
Jesjeet Singh Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bowel Movement ◽  
P Value ◽  
Comparison Study ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Patient Assessment ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
The Common

Clozapine remains as the gold standard for the management of treatment resistant schizophrenia. Nevertheless, mortality and morbidity associated with Clozapine is partly contributed by its adverse effect of constipation in view of its prominent anticholinergic properties. Despite the evidence that approximately 60% of patients on Clozapine will experience constipation, there is no proper guideline as to the best laxative in the treatment of Clozapine induced constipation. Hence this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Prucalopride and Lactulose in the treatment of Clozapine induced constipation. This was a four week, prospective, open-label head to head comparison study between Prucalopride and Lactulose in the treatment of Clozapine induced constipation. Male and female patients on Clozapine between the age of 18–60 with an established diagnosis of treatment resistant schizophrenia with ≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movement per week were recruited in this study. Eligible patients were assigned into two groups. Patients received Prucalopride 2 mg once daily or Lactulose 10 g once daily for four weeks. Efficacy was analyzed in 58 patients. The proportion of patient with ≥3 spontaneous complete bowel movement (SCBM) was higher in the Prucalopride 2 mg group, reaching significance at Week 4 with p-value of (p = 0.029). The proportion of patient with ≥3 SCBM at Week 1 was 71.4% in the Prucalopride 2 mg group and 60% in the Lactulose 10 g group. The proportion of patient with ≥3 SCBM at Week 4 was 85.7% in the Prucalopride 2 mg group and the proportion remained at 60% in the Lactulose 10 g group. The improvement in the dissatisfaction and treatment satisfaction subscales of the patient assessment of constipation—quality of life (PAC-QOL) were higher in the Prucalopride 2 mg group compared to the Lactulose 10 g group. The common adverse events associated with Prucalopride 2 mg were abdominal pain and loose stools which was transient and subsided within a few days. Over four weeks, in this population of patients with Clozapine induced constipation, Prucalopride 2 mg significantly improved the bowel movement and it was safe.

scholarly journals Is physiological glucocorticoid replacement important in children?

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Porter ◽  
Joanne Blair ◽  
Richard J Ross
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Cortisol has a distinct circadian rhythm with low concentrations at night, rising in the early hours of the morning, peaking on waking and declining over the day to low concentrations in the evening. Loss of this circadian rhythm, as seen in jetlag and shift work, is associated with fatigue in the short term and diabetes and obesity in the medium to long term. Patients with adrenal insufficiency on current glucocorticoid replacement with hydrocortisone have unphysiological cortisol concentrations being low on waking and high after each dose of hydrocortisone. Patients with adrenal insufficiency complain of fatigue, a poor quality of life and there is evidence of poor health outcomes including obesity potentially related to glucocorticoid replacement. New technologies are being developed that deliver more physiological glucocorticoid replacement including hydrocortisone by subcutaneous pump, Plenadren, a once-daily modified-release hydrocortisone and Chronocort, a delayed and sustained absorption hydrocortisone formulation that replicates the overnight profile of cortisol. In this review, we summarise the evidence regarding physiological glucocorticoid replacement with a focus on relevance to paediatrics.

scholarly journals Quality of compounded hydrocortisone capsules used in the treatment of children

2017 ◽  
Vol 177 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uta Neumann ◽  
Daniela Burau ◽  
Sarah Spielmann ◽  
Martin J Whitaker ◽  
Richard J Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Dose Information ◽  
Patients At Risk

Objectives Due to the lack of paediatric-licensed formulations, children are often treated with individualized pharmacy-compounded adult medication. An international web-based survey about the types of medication in children with adrenal insufficiency (AI) revealed that the majority of paediatric physicians are using pharmacy-compounded medication to treat children with AI. Observations of loss of therapy control in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia with compounded hydrocortisone capsules and regained control after prescribing a new hydrocortisone batch led to this ‘real world’ evaluation of pharmacy-compounded paediatric hydrocortisone capsules. Methods Capsule samples were collected randomly from volunteering parents of treated children suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia from all over Germany. Analysis of net mass and hydrocortisone content by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection method was performed based on the European Pharmacopeia. Results In a total of 61 batches that were sent, 5 batches could not be analysed because of missing dose information, insufficient number of capsules or were not possible to be evaluated. Fifty-six batches containing 1125 capsules were evaluated. 21.4% of the batches revealed insufficiency in uniformity of net mass or drug content and additional 3.6% failed because they did not contain the labelled drug. Conclusions Compounded medication is a possible cause of variation of steroid doses in children with adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, putting these vulnerable patients at risk of poor disease control and adrenal crisis. These data may apply to other individualized compounded oral medication as well, emphasizing the need for development of licensed paediatric formulations approved by regulatory authorities.

scholarly journals The incidence of adrenal crisis in the postoperative period of HPA axis insufficiency after surgical treatment for Cushing’s syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie H A Broersen ◽  
Femke M van Haalen ◽  
Tina Kienitz ◽  
Olaf M Dekkers ◽  
Christian J Strasburger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Cushing’S Syndrome ◽  
Cushing's Syndrome ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Glucocorticoid Deficiency

Background Adrenal crisis, the most feared complication of adrenal insufficiency, is a potentially life-threatening state of acute glucocorticoid deficiency. After successful surgery for Cushing’s syndrome, many patients develop (transient) adrenal insufficiency. The incidence of adrenal crisis in patients treated for hypercortisolism is unknown. Methods Cohort study included consecutive patients with Cushing’s syndrome with adrenal insufficiency after surgery from Leiden and Berlin from 2000 to 2015. We summarized the incidence of adrenal crisis, compared patients with and without adrenal crisis regarding potential risk factors for its occurrence and assessed the effect of better education in time on incidence of adrenal crisis. Results We included 106 patients, of whom 19 patients had a total of 41 adrenal crises. There were 9.0 crises per 100 patient-years at risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7–12.0). All crises occurred while on hydrocortisone replacement. The risk ratio for a recurrent crisis was 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2–4.6). No clear change in incidence of adrenal crisis due to better education in time was observed. There was no difference in recurrence rate between patients with, and without any crisis, but patients with adrenal crisis had more often pituitary deficiencies. Conclusions The incidence of adrenal crises after treatment for Cushing’s syndrome is substantial, and patients who suffered from an adrenal crisis have higher risk for recurrent crisis. Adrenal crisis tends to present early after remission of Cushing’s syndrome, which is probably the period of severest HPA axis suppression, despite in general higher hydrocortisone replacement doses for withdrawal complaints in this period. Additional pituitary hormone deficiencies may be a risk marker for increased risk of adrenal crisis. However, further risk factor analysis is needed to identify risks for a first crisis. Effective education methods to prevent adrenal crises should be identified and implemented, including stress instructions by trained nursing staff before hospital discharge.

scholarly journals Obojestranska krvavitev v nadledvičnico: vzrok visoki zgodnji zlatenici in akutni primarni insuficienci nadledvičnic pri novorojenčku

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petja Fister ◽  
Marta Žnidaršič Eržen ◽  
Primož Kotnik ◽  
Mojca Tomažič
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Term Neonate ◽  
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Threatening Situation

Adrenal bleeding in a newborn is rare. The cause of bleeding is unknown, most likely due to several factors. Bleeding may be minimal with no clinical signs or fulminant with acute adrenal insufficiency, which is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate detection and treatment.In this paper we represent a clinical case of a term neonate born to the mother with gestational diabetes, who was hospitalised due to high early hyperbilirubinemia. Significant bleeding in both adrenal glands was identified by ultrasound and primary adrenal insufficiency diagnosed. We discuss possible causes, the diagnostic clues, the treatment of disease and its prognosis.

scholarly journals Frequently Asked Questions in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency in the Time of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Sabbadin ◽  
Corrado Betterle ◽  
Carla Scaroni ◽  
Filippo Ceccato
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Acute Illness ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Telemedicine Consultation ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Cortisol Deficiency

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a life-threatening disorder, with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in case of an acute illness that can increase the requirement of cortisol. A novel infectious disease, termed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), appeared in 2020. Therefore, AI patients are experiencing a novel challenge: the risk of infection. In our experience, a prompt contact to the Endocrine center (with a telemedicine consultation) and a full awareness of diseases (cortisol deficiency, COVID-19 and the self-management of an adrenal crisis) are important to motivate patients. Vaccine is an effective treatment to prevent hospitalization and aggressive course of COVID-19. Some patients manifest challenges due to inequitable access and vaccine hesitancy, resulting in a delay in the acceptance of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. Therefore, an effort of all physicians must be conducted in order to advise patients with AI. In this short review, we try to answer some frequently asked questions regarding the management of patients with AI.

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