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Martin-Grace J, Tomkins M, O'Reilly MW, Sherlock M. Iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency in adults. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:209-227. [PMID: 38272995 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency (IAI) is the most common form of adrenal insufficiency in adult patients, although its overall exact prevalence remains unclear. IAI is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including adrenal crisis, impaired quality of life and increased mortality; therefore, it is imperative that clinicians maintain a high index of suspicion in patients at risk of IAI to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate management. Herein, we review the major causes, clinical consequences, diagnosis and care of patients with IAI. The management of IAI, particularly glucocorticoid-induced (or tertiary) adrenal insufficiency, can be particularly challenging, and the provision of adequate glucocorticoid replacement must be balanced against minimizing the cardiometabolic effects of excess glucocorticoid exposure and optimizing recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We review current treatment strategies and their limitations and discuss developments in optimizing treatment of IAI. This comprehensive Review aims to aid clinicians in identifying who is at risk of IAI, how to approach screening of at-risk populations and how to treat patients with IAI, with a focus on emergency management and prevention of an adrenal crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Martin-Grace
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria Tomkins
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael W O'Reilly
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Sherlock
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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Peel A, Rushworth RL, Torpy DJ. Novel agents to treat adrenal insufficiency: findings of preclinical and early clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:115-126. [PMID: 38284211 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2311207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adrenal insufficiency currently affects over 300/million population, with higher morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Current glucocorticoid replacement therapy is limited by a lack of reliable biomarkers to guide dosing, inter-patient variation in metabolism and narrow therapeutic window. Increased morbidity and mortality may relate to unappreciated under- or over-exposure to glucocorticoids and impaired cortisol circadian rhythm. New agents are required to emulate physiological cortisol secretion and individualize glucocorticoid dosing. AREAS COVERED History of glucocorticoid therapy, current limitations, and novel chronotherapeutic glucocorticoid delivery mechanisms. Literature search incorporated searches of PubMed and Embase utilizing terms such as adrenal insufficiency, Chronocort, Plenadren, continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CHSI), and glucocorticoid receptor modulator. EXPERT OPINION Glucocorticoid chronotherapy is necessary to optimize glucocorticoid exposure and minimize complications. Current oral chronotherapeutics provide improved dosing functionality, but are modifiable only in specific increments and cannot accommodate ultradian cortisol variation. Current data show improvement in quality of life but not morbidity or mortality outcomes. CHSI has significant potential for individualized glucocorticoid dosing, but would require a suitable biomarker of glucocorticoid adequacy to be implementable. Avenues for future research include determining a glucocorticoid sufficiency biomarker, development of interstitial or systemic cortisol monitoring, or development of glucocorticoid receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Peel
- Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - R Louise Rushworth
- School of Medicine, Sydney, The University of Notre Dame, Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - David J Torpy
- Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
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3
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Chifu I, Quinkler M, Altieri B, Hannemann A, Völzke H, Lang K, Reisch N, Pamporaki C, Willenberg HS, Beuschlein F, Burger-Stritt S, Hahner S. Morbidity in Patients with Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency - Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Hospitalization Rate Compared to Population Based Controls. Horm Metab Res 2024; 56:20-29. [PMID: 37827510 DOI: 10.1055/a-2190-3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) have been found to have increased cardiovascular morbidity, partly associated with nonphysiologic glucocorticoid replacement. We included two separate cohorts (cohort 1 n=384 patients, cohort 2 n=180 patients) of patients with chronic primary and secondary AI under standard replacement therapy and compared them to two age- and sex-matched population-based studies (SHIP-TREND/DEGS). Odds ratios with 95% CI for hypertension, hyperlipidemia/HLP, type 2 diabetes/T2DM, obesity, and hospitalization with adjustment for confounders were evaluated by logistic regression. Patient cohort 1 had significantly lower ORs for obesity [0.4 (0.3-0.6), p<0.001] and hypertension [0.5 (0.3-0.6), p<0.001] compared to SHIP-TREND and for obesity [0.7 (0.5-0.9), p=0.01], hypertension [0.4 (0.3-0.5), p<0.001] and HLP [0.4 (0.3-0.6), p<0.001] compared to DEGS. In cohort 2, ORs were significantly lower for HLP compared to both SHIP-TREND [0.4 (0.2-0.7), p=0.001] and DEGS [0.3 (0.2-0.5), p<0.001] and for hypertension [0.7 (0.4-0.9), p=0.04] compared to SHIP-TREND. In patients with SAI from cohort 2, ORs for DM2 [2.5 (1.3-4.9) p=0.009], hypertension [2.5 (1.4-4.5), p=0.002] and obesity [1.9 (1.1-3.1), p=0.02] were significantly higher compared to DEGS, whereas ORs for HLP were significantly lower compared to both SHIP [0.3 (0.1-0.6), p=0.002] and DEGS [0.3 (0.1-0.6), p<0.001]. In most of our AI patients treated with conventional glucocorticoid doses, the risk for T2DM, obesity, hypertension, and HLP was not increased. The number of hospitalizations was significantly higher in AI patients compared to controls, which might reflect increased susceptibility but also a more proactive management of concomitant diseases by physicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Chifu
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Altieri
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Anke Hannemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Lang
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Endocrinology in Charlottenburg/Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Department of Endocrine Research, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Pamporaki
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrine Research, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- LOOP Zurich - Medical Research Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Burger-Stritt
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hahner
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Dineen RA, Martin-Grace J, Ahmed KMS, Taylor AE, Shaheen F, Schiffer L, Gilligan LC, Lavery GG, Frizelle I, Gunness A, Garrahy A, Hannon AM, Methlie P, Eystein SH, Stewart PM, Tomlinson JW, Hawley JM, Keevil BG, O’Reilly MW, Smith D, McDermott J, Healy ML, Agha A, Pazderska A, Gibney J, Behan LA, Thompson CJ, Arlt W, Sherlock M. Tissue Glucocorticoid Metabolism in Adrenal Insufficiency: A Prospective Study of Dual-release Hydrocortisone Therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:3178-3189. [PMID: 37339332 PMCID: PMC10673701 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) require life-long glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy. Within tissues, cortisol (F) availability is under the control of the isozymes of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD). We hypothesize that corticosteroid metabolism is altered in patients with AI because of the nonphysiological pattern of current immediate release hydrocortisone (IR-HC) replacement therapy. The use of a once-daily dual-release hydrocortisone (DR-HC) preparation, (Plenadren®), offers a more physiological cortisol profile and may alter corticosteroid metabolism in vivo. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Prospective crossover study assessing the impact of 12 weeks of DR-HC on systemic GC metabolism (urinary steroid metabolome profiling), cortisol activation in the liver (cortisone acetate challenge test), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (microdialysis, biopsy for gene expression analysis) in 51 patients with AI (primary and secondary) in comparison to IR-HC treatment and age- and BMI-matched controls. RESULTS Patients with AI receiving IR-HC had a higher median 24-hour urinary excretion of cortisol compared with healthy controls (72.1 µg/24 hours [IQR 43.6-124.2] vs 51.9 µg/24 hours [35.5-72.3], P = .02), with lower global activity of 11β-HSD2 and higher 5-alpha reductase activity. Following the switch from IR-HC to DR-HC therapy, there was a significant reduction in urinary cortisol and total GC metabolite excretion, which was most significant in the evening. There was an increase in 11β-HSD2 activity. Hepatic 11β-HSD1 activity was not significantly altered after switching to DR-HC, but there was a significant reduction in the expression and activity of 11β-HSD1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue. CONCLUSION Using comprehensive in vivo techniques, we have demonstrated abnormalities in corticosteroid metabolism in patients with primary and secondary AI receiving IR-HC. This dysregulation of pre-receptor glucocorticoid metabolism results in enhanced glucocorticoid activation in adipose tissue, which was ameliorated by treatment with DR-HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary A Dineen
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - Julie Martin-Grace
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | | | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Fozia Shaheen
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lina Schiffer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lorna C Gilligan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gareth G Lavery
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Isolda Frizelle
- Robert Graves Institute of Endocrinology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, D24 TP66, Ireland
| | - Anjuli Gunness
- Robert Graves Institute of Endocrinology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, D24 TP66, Ireland
| | - Aoife Garrahy
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - Anne Marie Hannon
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - Paal Methlie
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Paul M Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jeremy W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - James M Hawley
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Brian G Keevil
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Michael W O’Reilly
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - Diarmuid Smith
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - John McDermott
- Department of Endocrinology, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, D15 X40D, Ireland
| | - Marie-Louise Healy
- Department of Endocrinology, St James Hospital, Dublin, D08 K0Y5, Ireland
| | - Amar Agha
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | | | - James Gibney
- Robert Graves Institute of Endocrinology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, D24 TP66, Ireland
| | - Lucy-Ann Behan
- Robert Graves Institute of Endocrinology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, D24 TP66, Ireland
| | - Chris J Thompson
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Medical Research Council London, Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark Sherlock
- Academic Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
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Meyer G, Gruendl M, Chifu I, Hahner S, Werner J, Weiß J, Kienitz T, Quinkler M, Badenhoop K, Herrmann E, Friedrich-Rust M, Bojunga J. Glucocorticoid Replacement for Adrenal Insufficiency and the Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6392. [PMID: 37835036 PMCID: PMC10573835 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid excess is a known risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our objective was to analyse the impact of glucocorticoid replacement therapy on the development of NAFLD and NAFLD-related fibrosis and, therefore, on cardiovascular as well as hepatic morbidity in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Two hundred and fifteen individuals with primary (n = 111) or secondary (n = 104) adrenal insufficiency were investigated for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using the fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD fibrosis score (NAFLD-FS), Fibrosis-4 Index (FiB-4) plus sonographic transient elastography. Results were correlated with glucocorticoid doses and cardiometabolic risk parameters. The median dose of hydrocortisone equivalent was 20 mg daily, with a median therapy duration of 15 years. The presence and grade of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were significantly correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors. We could not find any significant correlations between single, daily or cumulative doses of glucocorticoids and the grade of liver steatosis, nor with fibrosis measured via validated sonographic techniques. In patients with adrenal insufficiency, glucocorticoid replacement within a physiological range of 15-25 mg hydrocortisone equivalent per day does not appear to pose an additional risk for the development of NAFLD, subsequent liver fibrosis, or the cardiovascular morbidity associated with these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gesine Meyer
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany (J.B.)
| | - Madeleine Gruendl
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany (J.B.)
| | - Irina Chifu
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hahner
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Werner
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Weiß
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tina Kienitz
- Endocrinology in Charlottenburg, 10627 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Badenhoop
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany (J.B.)
| | - Eva Herrmann
- Institut for Biostatistics and Mathematic Modelling, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mireen Friedrich-Rust
- Division of Hepatology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Joerg Bojunga
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany (J.B.)
- Division of Hepatology, Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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6
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Gasco V, Giannelli J, Campioni L, Arvat E, Ghigo E, Grottoli S, Maccario M, Giordano R. Benefits of dual-release hydrocortisone treatment on central adiposity and health-related quality of life in secondary adrenal insufficiency. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:587-597. [PMID: 36251244 PMCID: PMC9938071 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01940-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) have an increased morbidity and an impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which seems to primarily depend on the sub-optimal replacement of hypoadrenalism with standard glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, and on the inadequate correction of other associated pituitary deficiencies. A dual-release hydrocortisone (DR-HC) formulation has shown to exert positive effects on morbidity and HRQoL, mainly in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. We assessed the variations of anthropometric and metabolic parameters and HRQoL in patients with SAI after switching from cortisone acetate (CA) or hydrocortisone (HC) to DR-HC. METHODS Twenty-one patients (17 M, 4 F) treated with CA (n = 16; 25 mg/day twice a day) or HC (n = 5; 20 mg/day three times a day), were evaluated for waist circumference, BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR index, serum lipids, electrolytes, blood pressure and HRQoL at baseline, at 3, 6 and 12 months after switching from CA/HC to DR-HC. RESULTS The study showed a significant reduction of waist circumference and BMI (p = 0.04, for both), after 3 and 6months of DR-HC treatment, respectively. No significant changes were observed for fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR index, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, electrolytes, and blood pressure. However, HDL cholesterol significantly decreased (p = 0.003). An improvement of AddiQoL total score was observed during DR-HC treatment (p = 0.01), mainly for the category "emotions". No predictors resulted for these changes. CONCLUSION DR-HC treatment provides some benefits in patients with SAI, reducing central adiposity and improving HRQoL; however, worsening of HDL cholesterol is observed during treatment with DR-HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gasco
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - J Giannelli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - L Campioni
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - E Arvat
- Division of Oncological Endocrinology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - E Ghigo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - S Grottoli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M Maccario
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - R Giordano
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences and Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Turin, Italy.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the basic treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is well established, there are active clinical research projects to more closely mimic the normal diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and to reduce total glucocorticoid doses to minimize adverse metabolic effects. RECENT FINDINGS We review clinical studies on CAH treatment published in the last 18 months or currently underway according to ClinicalTrials.gov listings. These can be grouped into several broad themes: alternative dosing forms of hydrocortisone with altered pharmacokinetics or easier dose titration; corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonists that reduce corticotropin (ACTH) secretion and thereby reduce adrenal androgen secretion; androgen biosynthesis inhibitors; a first clinical trial of a gene therapy vector. SUMMARY Alternative dosing forms of hydrocortisone are, or will shortly be, marketed, but cost may be a barrier to utilization, at least in the US market. Trials of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonists and androgen biosynthesis inhibitors are currently underway. The author believes that trials of gene therapy for CAH are premature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrin C White
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Professor of Pediatrics, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Abstract
Addison's disease typically results from the autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex and requires lifelong replacement with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Main symptoms are non-specific and, therefore, often overlooked or misleading. Patients are frequently not diagnosed until experiencing a life-threatening adrenal crisis. This article highlights the essential clinical characteristics, diagnostic aspects and principles of management of adrenal insufficiency.
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Claessen KMJA, Andela CD, Biermasz NR, Pereira AM. Clinical Unmet Needs in the Treatment of Adrenal Crisis: Importance of the Patient's Perspective. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:701365. [PMID: 34354671 PMCID: PMC8329717 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.701365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenal crisis is the most severe manifestation of adrenal insufficiency (AI), but AI can present with variable signs and symptoms of gradual severity. Despite current hormone replacement strategies, adrenal crisis is still one of the leading causes of mortality in AI patients. Although underlying factors explaining differences in interindividual susceptibility are not completely understood, several subgroups are particularly vulnerable to adrenal crises, such as patients with primary AI, and patients treated for Cushing's syndrome. Currently, the health care professional faces several challenges in the care for AI patients, including the lack of reliable biomarkers measuring tissue cortisol concentrations, absence of a universally used definition for adrenal crisis, and lack of clinical tools to identify individual patients at increased risk. Also from the patient's perspective, there are a number of steps to be taken in order to increase and evaluate self-management skills and, finally, improve health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). In this respect, the fact that inadequate handling of AI patients during stressful situations is a direct consequence of not remembering how to act due to severe weakness and cognitive dysfunction in the context of the adrenal crisis is quite underexposed. In this narrative review, we give an overview of different clinical aspects of adrenal crisis, and discuss challenges and unmet needs in the management of AI and the adrenal crisis from both the doctor's and patient's perspective. For the latter, we use original focus group data. Integration of doctor's and patient's perspectives is key for successful improvement of HR-QoL in patients with AI.
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10
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Chifu I, Detomas M, Dischinger U, Kimpel O, Megerle F, Hahner S, Fassnacht M, Altieri B. Management of Patients With Glucocorticoid-Related Diseases and COVID-19. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:705214. [PMID: 34594302 PMCID: PMC8476969 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.705214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a global health crisis affecting millions of people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) after being cleaved by the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). In addition to the lung, gastrointestinal tract and kidney, ACE2 is also extensively expressed in endocrine tissues, including the pituitary and adrenal glands. Although glucocorticoids could play a central role as immunosuppressants during the cytokine storm, they can have both stimulating and inhibitory effects on immune response, depending on the timing of their administration and their circulating levels. Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) or Cushing's syndrome (CS) are therefore vulnerable groups in relation to COVID-19. Additionally, patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) could also be more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the immunosuppressive state caused by the cancer itself, by secreted glucocorticoids, and by anticancer treatments. This review comprehensively summarizes the current literature on susceptibility to and outcome of COVID-19 in AI, CS and ACC patients and emphasizes potential pathophysiological mechanisms of susceptibility to COVID-19 as well as the management of these patients in case of SARS-CoV-2. Finally, by performing an in silico analysis, we describe the mRNA expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and the genes encoding their co-receptors CTSB, CTSL and FURIN in normal adrenal and adrenocortical tumors (both adenomas and carcinomas).
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Chifu
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mario Detomas
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dischinger
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Otilia Kimpel
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Felix Megerle
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hahner
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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