Cortisol Response to Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) in Acute Stress

Summary

Cortisol deficiency is diagnosed by the adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulation test. This test measures cortisol levels in the blood before and after giving an injection of ACTH. Currently, the results of this test can only be reliably interpreted when it is carried out on people in non-stressful situations. Frequently the test is carried out in hospitalized patients in stressful situations, giving results that are hard to interpret. Our study is to first do this test in a non-stressful situation, followed by a repeat test in a stressful situation, to compare the results and create a set of guidelines for interpreting the test when it is carried out in stressful situations.

Timeline

Start

2007-07

Primary completion

2009-07

Completion

2009-07

Publications

• Background Streeten DH, Anderson GH Jr, Bonaventura MM. The potential for serious consequences from misinterpreting normal responses to the rapid adrenocorticotropin test. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Jan;81(1):285-90. doi: 10.1210/jcem.81.1.8550765.
• Background Sibbald WJ, Short A, Cohen MP, Wilson RF. Variations in adrenocortical responsiveness during severe bacterial infections. Unrecognized adrenocortical insufficiency in severe bacterial infections. Ann Surg. 1977 Jul;186(1):29-33. doi: 10.1097/00000658-197707000-00005.
• Background Rothwell PM, Udwadia ZF, Lawler PG. Cortisol response to corticotropin and survival in septic shock. Lancet. 1991 Mar 9;337(8741):582-3. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(91)91641-7.
• Druce I, Abujrad H, Chaker S, Meggison H, Hill A, Raymond A, Mayne J, Ooi TC. Circulating PCSK9 is lowered acutely following surgery. J Clin Lab Anal. 2018 May;32(4):e22358. doi: 10.1002/jcla.22358. Epub 2017 Nov 17.

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