Views: 1,468 | Downloads:
174
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Diagnosis of Corticosteroid Insufficiency in Thai Patients with Septic Shock
Ratanarat R 
,
Promsin P ,
Srivijitkamol A ,
Leemingsawat C ,
Permpikul C
,
Promsin P ,
Srivijitkamol A ,
Leemingsawat C ,
Permpikul C Background: The reported incidence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) varies
widely, depending on the patient population studied and the diagnostic criteria used. Surviving Sepsis
Campaign guidelines suggest that corticosteroid therapy should be considered for adult septic shock when
hypotension responds poorly to adequate fluid resuscitation and vasopressors, regardless of any results of
diagnostic tests. However, steroid treatment may be associated with an increase risk of infection. This study
aims to identify the best diagnostic tool for predicting responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy in Thai septic
shock patients with poorly responsive to fluid resuscitation and vasopressors.
Material and Method: Twenty-nine septic shock patients who were poorly responsive to fluid therapy and
vasopressors were studied. A baseline serum total cortisol was measured in all patients and then 250 mcg
corticotropin was injected to patients. Cortisol level was obtained 30 and 60 minutes after injection. All
patients were given hydrocortisone (100 mg IV, then 200 mg IV in 24 hrs for at least 5 days). Patients were
considered steroid responsive if vasopressor agent could be discontinued within 48 hrs after the first dose of
hydrocortisone.
Results: Hospital mortality was 62% in which 45% of the patients were steroid responsive. Baseline serum
cortisol was 27.6 + 11.4 μg/dl in the steroid-responsive patients compared with 40 + 16.9 μg/dl in the steroidnonresponsive
patients (p = 0.03). The area under the ROC curves for predicting steroid responsiveness was
0.72 for baseline cortisol level. Serum cortisol level of 35 μg/dl or less was the most accurate diagnostic
threshold to determine hemodynamic response to hydrocortisone treatment (p = 0.04). Using baseline cortisol
level of < 35 μg/dl to diagnose adrenal insufficiency, the sensitivity was 85%, the specificity was 62% and the
accuracy was 72%. A use of (Δ cortisol) showed sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 30% and accuracy of 41%.
Conclusion: Baseline cortisol level < 35 μg/dl is a useful diagnostic threshold for diagnosis of steroid
responsiveness in Thai patients with septic shock and ACTH stimulation test should not be used.
Keywords: Septic shock, Steroid, Diagnosis, Corticosteroid, Diagnostic test
widely, depending on the patient population studied and the diagnostic criteria used. Surviving Sepsis
Campaign guidelines suggest that corticosteroid therapy should be considered for adult septic shock when
hypotension responds poorly to adequate fluid resuscitation and vasopressors, regardless of any results of
diagnostic tests. However, steroid treatment may be associated with an increase risk of infection. This study
aims to identify the best diagnostic tool for predicting responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy in Thai septic
shock patients with poorly responsive to fluid resuscitation and vasopressors.
Material and Method: Twenty-nine septic shock patients who were poorly responsive to fluid therapy and
vasopressors were studied. A baseline serum total cortisol was measured in all patients and then 250 mcg
corticotropin was injected to patients. Cortisol level was obtained 30 and 60 minutes after injection. All
patients were given hydrocortisone (100 mg IV, then 200 mg IV in 24 hrs for at least 5 days). Patients were
considered steroid responsive if vasopressor agent could be discontinued within 48 hrs after the first dose of
hydrocortisone.
Results: Hospital mortality was 62% in which 45% of the patients were steroid responsive. Baseline serum
cortisol was 27.6 + 11.4 μg/dl in the steroid-responsive patients compared with 40 + 16.9 μg/dl in the steroidnonresponsive
patients (p = 0.03). The area under the ROC curves for predicting steroid responsiveness was
0.72 for baseline cortisol level. Serum cortisol level of 35 μg/dl or less was the most accurate diagnostic
threshold to determine hemodynamic response to hydrocortisone treatment (p = 0.04). Using baseline cortisol
level of < 35 μg/dl to diagnose adrenal insufficiency, the sensitivity was 85%, the specificity was 62% and the
accuracy was 72%. A use of (Δ cortisol) showed sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 30% and accuracy of 41%.
Conclusion: Baseline cortisol level < 35 μg/dl is a useful diagnostic threshold for diagnosis of steroid
responsiveness in Thai patients with septic shock and ACTH stimulation test should not be used.
Keywords: Septic shock, Steroid, Diagnosis, Corticosteroid, Diagnostic test
Download:
PDF