Frequency Of Adrenal Insufficiency Research Articles

Assessment of Neuroendocrine Changes and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Autoimmunity in Patients with COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and pituitary dysfunction may occur. Therefore, we investigated neuroendocrine changes, in particular, secondary adrenal insufficiency, using a dynamic test and the role of autoimmunity in pituitary dysfunction in patients with COVID-19. The single-center, prospective, case-control study included patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and healthy controls. Basal hormone levels were measured, and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed. Antipituitary (APA) and antihypothalamic antibodies (AHA) were also determined. We examined a total of 49 patients with COVID-19 and 28 healthy controls. The frequency of adrenal insufficiency in patients with COVID-19 was found as 8.2%. Patients with COVID-19 had lower free T3, IGF-1, and total testosterone levels, and higher cortisol and prolactin levels when compared with controls. We also demonstrated the presence of APA in three and AHA in one of four patients with adrenal insufficiency. In conclusion, COVID-19 may result in adrenal insufficiency, thus routine screening of adrenal functions in these patients is needed. Endocrine disturbances in COVID-19 are similar to those seen in acute stressful conditions or infections. Pituitary or hypothalamic autoimmunity may play a role in neuroendocrine abnormalities in COVID-19.

Differentiated approach to surgical treatment of adrenal glands tumors

Objective – to improve the results of treatment of adrenal tumors by optimizing a differentiated approach based on the analysis of the results of various surgical invasions. The paper analyzed the results of treatment of 145 patients with various adrenal tumors, which were divided into 2 groups: І (n=71) - patients after adrenalectomies, II (n=74) – after adrenal resections. Organ-preserving invasions showed better results during the early and long-term postoperative period in patients with corticosteromas, pheochromocytomas and incidentalomas by reducing the severity of fluctuations in hemodynamic parameters and the frequency of adrenal insufficiency. Due to the introduction of the treatment algorithm, the number of adrenal resections increased by 26.6% in patients with neoplasms more than 4,0 cm in diameter (p=0.0001). The choice of surgical invasion should be individualized, taking into account the clinical features of the disease, hormone indicator parameters, the size of tumors, the comprehensiveness of the adrenal gland lesion and the ratio of the latter to nearby organs and structures. Adrenal insufficiency was detected 14.2% more often after adrenalectomies (р=0.044) compared to adrenal resections. Treatment according to the developed algorithm reduced the incidence of adrenal insufficiency by 5.8% (p=0.028). In the long-term postoperative period, contralateral gland tumors occurred with the same frequency (4.8%) among patients after adrenalectomies and resections. Relapse of the neoplasm after resections was detected in 3 (7.1%), as a result of which 2.4% underwent repeated operations with the final removal of the gland. An increase in the size of a single adrenal gland was more common by 21.4% after adrenalectomies.

A systematic review of adrenal insufficiency among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of public health importance globally. The incidence of pulmonary TB is rising in sub-Saharan Africa. Bilateral adrenal destruction and the use of medications such as rifampicin are possible mechanisms by which TB cause adrenal insufficiency. Failure to promptly recognize adrenal insufficiency may lead to a medical crisis causing death. This systematic review aimed to identify the frequency of adrenal insufficiency, the clinical presentation and its predictors in patients with pulmonary TB in sub-Saharan Africa. The study was a systematic review. Medical databases and the grey literature were searched. Literature search and studies selection were done following the PRISMA guidelines. The total sample size was 809. The frequency of adrenal insufficiency among patients with pulmonary TB in sub-Saharan Africa was 0.9%-59.8%. Patients with adrenal insufficiency had symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, darkening of the skin, salt craving, and weight loss. Other symptoms were dry, itchy skin, abdominal pain, and muscle pain. The predictors of adrenal insufficiency among patients with pulmonary TB in sub-Saharan Africa were low blood pressure, low blood glucose, presence of multidrug-resistant TB, and low CD4 count. Other predictors were abdominal pain and generalized skin hyperpigmentation. The frequency of adrenal insufficiency in patients with pulmonary TB can be as high as 50%. The presence of low blood pressure, low blood glucose, multidrug-resistant TB, and generalized skin hyperpigmentation is a pointer to the possibility of adrenal insufficiency in these patients.

Identification of adrenal insufficiency in pediatric critical illness*

To determine physicians' beliefs and practices regarding adrenal dysfunction in pediatric critical illness. Cross-sectional mail survey. Canada. All members of the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group and all physicians identified as practicing pediatric intensive care medicine in any of 16 tertiary care teaching centers in Canada. Three pediatric intensive care physicians and three pediatric endocrinologists reviewed the questionnaire before administration to ensure clarity. We asked participants to report their views on the following: a) the frequency of adrenal insufficiency in pediatric critical illness; b) diagnosis/definition of adrenal insufficiency in pediatric critical illness; and c) the use of empirical glucocorticoids in fluid/vasopressor-resistant hypotension in pediatric critical illness. Forty-six of 57 (80.7%) endocrinologists responded, with 43 participating (75.4%). Among intensivists, 59 of 70 (84.3%) responded with no refusals. Of intensivists, 81.4% believe that adrenal insufficiency occurs sometimes or often in critically ill pediatric intensive care unit patients, whereas 41.8% of endocrinologists believe adrenal insufficiency occurs never or rarely in these patients. Six definitions of adrenal insufficiency were proposed (varying cortisol level vs. peak/increment of cortisol in response to corticotropin), with no consensus on the definition of adrenal insufficiency from the endocrinologists or intensivists. Half (50.9%) of intensivists said they would sometimes or often empirically treat hypotensive pediatric patients with glucocorticoids, whereas 81.0% of endocrinologists would occasionally or never recommend glucocorticoids on this basis. There is no consensus among pediatric intensivists or endocrinologists as to how often adrenal insufficiency occurs in pediatric critical illness or how to diagnose this condition. Despite this lack of consensus, however, many pediatric intensivists would empirically treat hypotensive patients who they suspect may have adrenal insufficiency. Prospective studies are required to determine the definition, frequency, and appropriate treatment of adrenal insufficiency in critically ill pediatric patients.