Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency after therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with moderate-to-severe and active Graves' orbitopathy: assessment with a low-dose corticotropin test

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess adrenal function following treatment of moderate-to-severe and active Graves' orbitopathy (GO) with intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in weekly pulses in a cumulative dose of 4.5 or 7.5 g. We evaluated the impact of IVMP pulses on adrenal reserve using a low-dose (1 μg) ACTH stimulation test (LDT) for the first time.

METHODS

In this prospective study we evaluated adrenal function in 21 patients with moderate-to-severe and active GO treated with 12 weekly IVMP pulses according to the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) recommendations. We assessed serum cortisol, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels before the 1st and 12th IVMP pulse. We performed dynamic testing using LDT before the 12th IVMP pulse in all patients. In those who failed LDT, adrenal function was reassessed with LDT and the overnight metyrapone test after 4-7 weeks.

RESULTS

Two patients failed to achieve serum cortisol levels ≥ 18.1 μg/dL at 30 and 60 min in LDT and were diagnosed with glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency (GC-induced AI). They were recommended to take hydrocortisone in situations of acute stress. Both patients were reassessed within 4-7 weeks after treatment cessation and showed an adequate response in LDT and overnight metyrapone test. We observed a statistically significant decrease in DHEA-S levels (p = 0.004) before the 12th IVMP pulse compared to baseline in all patients.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, our research shows that administering IVMP in 12 weekly pulses can result in GC-induced AI. We suggest that patients should undergo careful evaluation for GC-induced AI, including LDT, after therapy with IVMP according to EUGOGO guidelines. Screening for altered adrenal reserve could prevent life-threatening complications, particularly during acute stress situations.

Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy: Treatment with Additional Intravenous Methylprednisolone Pulses after the Basic Schedule Is Associated with Stabilization or Further Improvement of Clinical Outcome

Background: Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a sight-threatening complication of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Treatment of DON consists of the urgent administration of intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP) in very high doses followed by orbital decompression if the response is poor or absent. It is advised to continue the therapy with pulses of ivMP in a weekly schedule. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the additional treatment with ivMP in a 12-week protocol on visual acuity (VA), color vision, clinical activity score (CAS) and proptosis in patients with DON. Methods: This study was performed on 19 patients with DON (26 eyes) treated with ivMP in very high doses, with further orbital decompression in 11 individuals (15 eyes). VA, color vision, CAS and proptosis were evaluated prior to the DON treatment, before and after the 12-week ivMP (first and last pulse). Additionally follow up was performed (22 eyes). Results: VA and color vision improved between the first and last pulse of the additional ivMP treatment (p = 0.04 and p = 0.003, respectively). CAS and proptosis were reduced at the end of the 12-week ivMP therapy compared to observations at the beginning (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively). Follow up confirmed stabilization of this achievement. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that additional treatment with 12 pulses of ivMP improves or stabilizes the outcome of basic therapy in patients with DON.

Therapy With Intravenous Methylprednisolone Pulses Is Associated With Loss of Bone Microarchitecture in Trabecular Bone Score -Assessment Among Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Graves' Orbitopathy: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Therapy with intravenous glucocorticoids (GCs) is associated with various side effects, however, the impact on bone remains elusive. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a diagnostic tool providing information on bone microarchitecture based on images obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We investigated the influence of the intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse administration on TBS in patients with moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

METHODS

Fifteen patients with GO were treated with 12 IVMP pulses (6x0.5g, 6x0.25 g on a weekly schedule). They received supplementation with 2000 IU of vitamin D and 1.0 g of calcium throughout the study period. TBS was assessed at baseline and after last IVMP pulse. To determine the difference between values at baseline and after treatment the least significant change (LSC) methodology was used. We compared pre- and posttreatment mean TBS values.

RESULTS

We found a significant decrease of TBS in 5 out of 15 (33%) patients. Mean TBS value decreased becoming 2.4% lower than at baseline (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IVMP pulse therapy exerts negative effect on bone microarchitecture in TBS assessment. The analysis of the clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and the evaluation of bone mineral density and TBS should be considered before initiating IVMP therapy.

Prevention of Iodinated Contrast Media-Induced Hyperthyroidism in Patients with Euthyroid Goiter

INTRODUCTION

Iodinated contrast media (ICM)-induced hyperthyroidism is an underestimated, potentially severe condition; however, its prevention has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ICM on thyroid status, the advantages of prophylactic therapy for iodine-induced hyperthyroidism (IIH) in patients with euthyroid goiter and cardiovascular comorbidities, and the association between the incidence of IIH and thyroid volume.

METHODS

Thirty-six euthyroid patients undergoing procedures involving ICM administration were divided into 2 groups: the first group (n = 13) received prophylactic treatment with thiamazole or thiamazole combined with sodium perchlorate during ICM exposure; the second group (n = 23) did not receive prophylaxis. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were evaluated before and after ICM, and thyroid hormone levels were assessed after ICM at different points in time. The morphology of the thyroid was evaluated by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (58%) developed hyperthyroidism after ICM. Hyperthyroidism was observed more frequently in the group without prophylactic treatment than in the group with prophylaxis (65 vs. 15%, respectively; p = 0.006). No cases of overt hyperthyroidism were observed in the group receiving thiamazole with sodium perchlorate. IIH persisted for a median time of 52.5 days. Larger thyroid volume was associated with a significantly higher occurrence of ICM-induced hyperthyroidism (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with euthyroid goiter receiving ICM are at risk of developing hyperthyroidism. The occurrence of hyperthyroidism after ICM in euthyroid patients with goiter is higher in those with larger thyroid volume. The frequency of ICM-induced hyperthyroidism in euthyroid patients with goiter is lower in those receiving prophylactic therapy with thiamazole in monotherapy or in combination with sodium perchlorate than in those not receiving prophylactic treatment.

Impact of additional intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy on the quality of life in patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy

Introduction. Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a severe complication of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Treatment of DON should involve immediate administration of intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP) in very high doses. It is recommended to include additional 12 pulses of ivMP according to a weekly schedule as a further step of the treatment process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a 12-week ivMP treatment on the quality of life (QoL) in DON patients. Material and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on 6 patients (the tests involved 8 individual eyes) with DON and treated with ivMP in very high doses, followed by orbital decompression in one patient. All patients were qualified for additional treatment with ivMP in a 12-week protocol and completed the Polish version of the GOQoL questionnaire before and after the therapy. Visual acuity (VA) and diplopia were examined prior to the administration of ivMP pulses for DON, as well as before and after the additional ivMP treatment. Results. A minimal clinically important difference in QoL was observed in four patients at the end of the additional ivMP therapy. A significant increase in VA was observed following additional pulses of ivMP compared to the evaluation at the time of the DON diagnosis (p=0.04). Conclusions. Applying additional 12 pulses of ivMP following DON therapy may impact QoL. Performing QoL assessment throughout the entire therapy in patients with DON is particularly important in the clinical practice. Final evaluation of QoL should be performed after completing the entire therapeutic process, which involves surgical treatment to correct diplopia.

Treatment with Intravenous Methylprednisolone in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy Significantly Affects Adrenal Function: Assessment of Serum, Salivary Cortisol and Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate

Treatment of active, moderate-to-severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is the administration of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP). IVMP may be followed by additional therapy with oral prednisone. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of IVMP on adrenal function by evaluation of serum, salivary cortisol and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). Fourteen patients received IVMP treatment (cumulative dose of 4.5 g in 12 weekly infusions) followed by oral prednisone (for three months). All patients showed normal adrenal function before the 12th IVMP pulse and one patient was diagnosed with secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI) after prednisone treatment. DHEA-S was significantly lower before the 12th IVMP pulse and after oral prednisone (p = 0.015 and p = 0.00002, respectively) in comparison to evaluation before therapy. DHEA-S levels were below the reference range in one and three patients before the 12th IVMP pulse and after prednisone therapy, respectively. We observed decreased serum (p = 0.05) and salivary (p = 0.011) cortisol levels after oral prednisone therapy in comparison to evaluation before therapy. Treatment with IVMP in a cumulative dose of 4.5 g affects adrenal function, causing more severe impairment of DHEA-S secretion than that of cortisol but does not cause secondary AI. Additional therapy with oral glucocorticoids after IVMP can cause secondary AI.

Iodinated contrast media-induced hyperthyroidism

Currently, iodinated contrast media (ICM) is widely used in radiology, therefore numerous patients are exposed to contrast administration during diagnostic and interventional procedures. ICM contains an amount of iodine well above the recommended dietary allowance, which can lead to thyroid dysfunction. Indeed, individuals that are highly susceptible to increased iodine intake are often patients with pre-existing thyroid disease. ICM-induced hyperthyroidism (IIH) is usually transient, however, it may present as clinically significant thyrotoxicosis. Although IIH has been investigated in multiple studies, there is still a lack of consensus regarding prophylactic therapy of IIH and no specific guidelines. This review aimed to summarise previous literature concerning the influence of ICM exposure on thyroid status and prophylactic therapy of IIH.

Short-term effect of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy on glycemic control in patients with normoglycemia and pre-diabetes

Introduction. Systemic steroid therapy leads to disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism. The effect of immunosuppression with intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulses on glycaemia is not conclusive. Aim. This study aimed to assess the short-term effect of IVMP therapy in moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) on glycaemic control in normoglycaemic patients with and without pre-diabetes. Material and Methods. Twenty-five GO patients treated with IVMP pulses (at initial dose of 6 x 0.5 g once a week, followed by0.25 g given for 6 consecutive weeksweekly) were recruited and divided into a normoglycaemic group (n = 15, patients without pre-diabetes) and a pre-diabetic group (n = 10, patients with impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)). Six daily capillary blood glucose measurements were performed at fixed times the day before and on the day of the first pulse administration. Results. There was a significant increase in the glucose concentration on the day of IVMP administration in both groups of patients compared to the day before drug administration, with 50% of patients showing an increase in blood glucose above 200 mg/dl. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions. Methylprednisolone in a high intravenous dose has a tremendous impact on the blood glucose level in normoglycaemic and pre-diabetic patients on the day of drug administration.