Adrenocortical responsiveness after discontinuous corticosteroid therapy.

Plasma cortisol levels and the response of the adrenal gland to 0.25 mg ACTH administration were measured in 12 patients receiving 15 mg or more of a short-acting steroid (fluocortolone or prednisone) on three out of four days, in 10 patients on daily steroid treatment (15 mg prednisone or more per day), and in 9 normal subjects. The basal plasma cortisol level of the first group was between that of patients on daily prednisone treatment and that of normal subjects. The adrenal function in patients on the three out of four day treatment schedule appeared to be slightly diminished, yet still within the accepted limits for adrenals capable of responding adequately to stress. The adrenal function proved insufficient in all patients on daily steroids. The three out of four day steroid regimen thus offers a solution with many advantages over continuous steroid treatment for patients refractory to the alternate-day schedule.