G A Kline1, J Buse2, R D Krause2. 1. Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), University of Calgary, Canada. Electronic address: Gregory.kline@albertahealthservices.ca. 2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary Laboratory Services, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recent guidelines recommend a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency when a stimulated peak cortisol level falls below 500nmol/L. This may not be valid using a highly specific cortisol immunoassay or liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LCMS/MS). We sought to determine the diagnostic threshold for adrenal insufficiency using a new and widely available, highly specific cortisol immunoassay. DESIGN: All patients having a dynamic test of adrenal reserve had results measured using the historical cortisol assay (Roche Cortisol) and the newer assay (Roche Cortisol II). MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were categorized according to the traditional assay (normal>500nmol/L) with clinical case adjudication where necessary. Results from Cortisol II assay were concomitantly measured along with cortisol levels measured by LCMS/MS. ROC curve analysis was performed to generate new diagnostic thresholds. RESULTS: The Roche Cortisol II compared favourably with measures by LCMS/MS, generating cortisol levels approximately 30% lower than the older immunoassay. Many normal subjects had peak cortisols as low as 300nmol/L with Cortisol II. The optimized diagnostic threshold for adrenal insufficiency was 350nmol/L with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity 97%. Use of the old diagnostic threshold with the Cortisol II assay would have inappropriately doubled the rate of patient-classification as adrenal insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Transition to a more specific cortisol assay requires revision of diagnostic thresholds for dynamic tests of adrenal insufficiency. With the Roche Cortisol II assay, a cut-off of 350nmol/L should replace the traditional 500nmol/L although some healthy subjects may be very close to this level.
OBJECTIVES: Recent guidelines recommend a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency when a stimulated peak cortisol level falls below 500nmol/L. This may not be valid using a highly specific cortisol immunoassay or liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LCMS/MS). We sought to determine the diagnostic threshold for adrenal insufficiency using a new and widely available, highly specific cortisol immunoassay. DESIGN: All patients having a dynamic test of adrenal reserve had results measured using the historical cortisol assay (Roche Cortisol) and the newer assay (Roche Cortisol II). MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were categorized according to the traditional assay (normal>500nmol/L) with clinical case adjudication where necessary. Results from Cortisol II assay were concomitantly measured along with cortisol levels measured by LCMS/MS. ROC curve analysis was performed to generate new diagnostic thresholds. RESULTS: The Roche Cortisol II compared favourably with measures by LCMS/MS, generating cortisol levels approximately 30% lower than the older immunoassay. Many normal subjects had peak cortisols as low as 300nmol/L with Cortisol II. The optimized diagnostic threshold for adrenal insufficiency was 350nmol/L with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity 97%. Use of the old diagnostic threshold with the Cortisol II assay would have inappropriately doubled the rate of patient-classification as adrenal insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Transition to a more specific cortisol assay requires revision of diagnostic thresholds for dynamic tests of adrenal insufficiency. With the Roche Cortisol II assay, a cut-off of 350nmol/L should replace the traditional 500nmol/L although some healthy subjects may be very close to this level.
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