[Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical function during and after steroid therapy: recent data and critical review].

Prolonged corticosteroid treatment is considered to be the main cause of adrenal insufficiency (AI). AI is due to adrenal atrophy caused by the inhibition of ACTH secretion. Risk factors for AI after corticosteroid treatment remain unknown. Various functional tests, particularly the "standard" Synacthene 250 microg, demonstrate frequent abnormal responses in these patients. However, these abnormalities are not predictive of the risk of AI in particular in case of stress. More recent tests (CRH, "low dose" Synacthene) need to be further evaluated in this situation. Several recent studies in animals and in humans have demonstrated that the need for glucocorticoid coverage during a surgical stress has been greatly overestimated and that maintenance of the usual daily dose seems to be sufficient and safe in most patients with minor surgical stress. Revision of guidelines for more important surgical stress or for other medical conditions in patient treated with glucocorticoids is necessary.