Vaginal Prednisone Administration for Prevention of Adrenal Crisis

Summary

Patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency need to adapt their glucocorticoid replacement dose in conditions of physical or psychological stress to prevent life threatening adrenal crisis. In cases of more severe impairment or unsecure gastrointestinal absorption (e.g. gastroenteritis, severe infectious disease), rapid and highly dosed administration of glucocorticoids is crucial. The study is conducted to offer female patients the possibility to perform efficient prednisone self-administration in emergency situations in a way of administration, which is easy to perform and accepted by the patients. Therefore, pharmacokinetics and safety of vaginal prednisone administration will be studied and compared to rectal administration.

Timeline

Start

2017-01

Primary completion

2017-04

Completion

2017-06-01

Publications

• Background Hahner S, Spinnler C, Fassnacht M, Burger-Stritt S, Lang K, Milovanovic D, Beuschlein F, Willenberg HS, Quinkler M, Allolio B. High incidence of adrenal crisis in educated patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Feb;100(2):407-16. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-3191. Epub 2014 Nov 24.
• Background Hahner S, Hemmelmann N, Quinkler M, Beuschlein F, Spinnler C, Allolio B. Timelines in the management of adrenal crisis - targets, limits and reality. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2015 Apr;82(4):497-502. doi: 10.1111/cen.12609. Epub 2014 Nov 6.
• Background Hahner S, Loeffler M, Bleicken B, Drechsler C, Milovanovic D, Fassnacht M, Ventz M, Quinkler M, Allolio B. Epidemiology of adrenal crisis in chronic adrenal insufficiency: the need for new prevention strategies. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010 Mar;162(3):597-602. doi: 10.1530/EJE-09-0884. Epub 2009 Dec 2.
• Background Hahner S, Burger-Stritt S, Allolio B. Subcutaneous hydrocortisone administration for emergency use in adrenal insufficiency. Eur J Endocrinol. 2013 Jun 29;169(2):147-54. doi: 10.1530/EJE-12-1057. Print 2013 Aug.
• Background Allolio B. Extensive expertise in endocrinology. Adrenal crisis. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015 Mar;172(3):R115-24. doi: 10.1530/EJE-14-0824. Epub 2014 Oct 6.
• Background Smans LC, Van der Valk ES, Hermus AR, Zelissen PM. Incidence of adrenal crisis in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2016 Jan;84(1):17-22. doi: 10.1111/cen.12865. Epub 2015 Aug 27.
• Background Anderson M, Kutzner S, Kaufman RH. Treatment of vulvovaginal lichen planus with vaginal hydrocortisone suppositories. Obstet Gynecol. 2002 Aug;100(2):359-62. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02117-8.

Drugs

Indications