CONTEXT: Intrinsic imperfections and lack of reliable biomarkers preclude optimal individual dosing of hydrocortisone replacement in adrenal insufficiency (AI). However, the clinical relevance of optimal dosing is exemplified by frequently occurring side effects of overreplacement and the dangers of underreplacement. Cortisol in scalp hair has been identified as a retrospective biomarker for long-term cortisol exposure. We compared hair cortisol concentrations (CORT(hair)) of patients with primary or secondary AI on replacement therapy with those of patient controls with a pituitary disease without AI (PCs) and of healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, hair samples and anthropometric data were collected in 132 AI patients (52 males), 42 PCs (11 males), and 195 HCs (90 males). The proximal 3 cm of hair were used. CORT(hair) were measured using an ELISA. RESULTS: CORT(hair) were higher in AI patients than in HCs and PCs (P < .001), and hydrocortisone dose correlated with CORT(hair) (P = .04). Male AI patients demonstrated higher CORT(hair) than female patients (P < .001). AI patients had higher body mass index (BMI) than HCs (P < .001), and BMI correlated with CORT(hair) in the whole sample (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Physiological hydrocortisone replacement is associated with increased CORT(hair). The association between CORT(hair) and BMI could suggest a mild overtreatment that may lead to adverse anthropomorphic side effects, especially in males. CORT(hair) measurements may be a promising additional tool to monitor cumulative hydrocortisone replacement in AI.
CONTEXT: Intrinsic imperfections and lack of reliable biomarkers preclude optimal individual dosing of hydrocortisone replacement in adrenal insufficiency (AI). However, the clinical relevance of optimal dosing is exemplified by frequently occurring side effects of overreplacement and the dangers of underreplacement. Cortisol in scalp hair has been identified as a retrospective biomarker for long-term cortisol exposure. We compared hair cortisol concentrations (CORT(hair)) of patients with primary or secondary AI on replacement therapy with those of patient controls with a pituitary disease without AI (PCs) and of healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, hair samples and anthropometric data were collected in 132 AI patients (52 males), 42 PCs (11 males), and 195 HCs (90 males). The proximal 3 cm of hair were used. CORT(hair) were measured using an ELISA. RESULTS: CORT(hair) were higher in AI patients than in HCs and PCs (P < .001), and hydrocortisone dose correlated with CORT(hair) (P = .04). Male AI patients demonstrated higher CORT(hair) than female patients (P < .001). AI patients had higher body mass index (BMI) than HCs (P < .001), and BMI correlated with CORT(hair) in the whole sample (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Physiological hydrocortisone replacement is associated with increased CORT(hair). The association between CORT(hair) and BMI could suggest a mild overtreatment that may lead to adverse anthropomorphic side effects, especially in males. CORT(hair) measurements may be a promising additional tool to monitor cumulative hydrocortisone replacement in AI.
Authors: Aaron Hodes; Maya B Lodish; Amit Tirosh; Jerrold Meyer; Elena Belyavskaya; Charalampos Lyssikatos; Kendra Rosenberg; Andrew Demidowich; Jeremy Swan; Nichole Jonas; Constantine A Stratakis; Mihail Zilbermint Journal: Endocrine Date: 2017-02-13 Impact factor: 3.633
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Authors: Ellen Wikenius; Vibeke Moe; Marian Kjellevold; Lars Smith; Robert Lyle; Rune Waagbø; Christian Magnus Page; Anne Margrethe Myhre Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-09-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Cornelie D Andela; Daniel J Lobatto; Alberto M Pereira; Wouter R van Furth; Nienke R Biermasz Journal: Pituitary Date: 2018-04 Impact factor: 4.107
Authors: Åse Bjorvatn Sævik; Anette B Wolff; Sigridur Björnsdottir; Katerina Simunkova; Martha Schei Hynne; David William Peter Dolan; Eirik Bratland; Per M Knappskog; Paal Methlie; Siri Carlsen; Magnus Isaksson; Sophie Bensing; Olle Kämpe; Eystein S Husebye; Kristian Løvås; Marianne Øksnes Journal: J Endocr Soc Date: 2021-01-04
Authors: Kim M J A Claessen; Cornelie D Andela; Nienke R Biermasz; Alberto M Pereira Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2021-07-20 Impact factor: 5.555