Adrenal Exhaustion Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients Without Improvement

Survival Clinical Trial

Official title: Change of Serum Cortisol Levels in Patients Without Improvement in Intensive Care Unit

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

We study the relationship between patient outcomes and sequential changes of serum cortisol level.

Clinical Trial Description

Elevated corticosteroid level to meet physiologic needs during acute illness is a protective response for stress. This homeostasis is maintained by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, inadequate response as corticosteroid insufficiency in critically ill patients is reported with increasing frequency, especially in severe sepsis and septic shock. Thus, corticosteroids could be beneficial for septic shock or severe acute illness.

Once considered as normal adrenal function, adrenal insufficiency may developed later with chronic critical illness as adrenal exhaustion syndrome. It is easily overlooked and is possible due to the chronic secretion of systemic cytokines or other HPA axis-suppressive substances. There is still no consensus how often adrenal function testing should be repeated, although a re-evaluation should be considered if clinical symptoms and signs suggest adrenal insufficiency or deteriorating clinical condition. ;

Study Design

Observational Model: Cohort, Time Perspective: Retrospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Survival

• NCT number: NCT00674284
• Study type: Observational
• Source: National Taiwan University Hospital
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2008
• Completion date: May 2008