Endocrine Abstracts

Subcutaneous hydrocortisone (HC) infusion using continuous (CSHI) and pulsatile (PSHI) regimes are treatment options for adrenal insufficiency. It is an off-labelled treatment in UK for patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). We surveyed 8 cohorts via Cortisol Pump UK support group in Facebook to capture their data in the following area:

 Quality of Life AddiQoL scores

 24 h infusion doses & type of regimens

 HC doses according to body surface area (BSA)

 A&E, hospital admission before & after starting on HC pump Improvement

 since started on HC pump

 Challenges with HC pump.

Results: Mean age 47 (31–51); 8F; Mean AddiQoL score 87.5/120 2 primary AI, 2 unknown, 4 secondary AI. 6 on CSHI, 2 on PSHI Mean length of time on infusion 12 months (10 days–22 months); mean body surface area dose per day 17.425 m

Conclusions: Those with daily dose below 25 mg has a higher mean AddiQoL score compare to those with a daily dose above 30 mg (100/120 vs. 80/120). Mean daily rate per body surface area is higher than previous studies. A&E visits and hospital admissions in this cohort has reduced from 38 visits to 2 visits for the first 6 months or since started on pump. Larger studies are needed to look of the effects of these 2 regimens.