Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are widely used as depigmenting agents alone or in combination with other fairness creams. However, its use may cause secondary adrenocortical insufficiency.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between practice of whitening creams (Topical Corticosteroids) and serum cortisol level in a sample of healthy females at Ain- shams University hospital.

Methods: We recruited 45 subjects practice whitening creams (TCs) for three months or more; matched with a healthy control group consists of 45 participants. Blood pressure BMI and early morning basal serum cortisol level (0800 h). Blood glucose, serum Na, and serum K were measured.

Results: Early morning serum cortisol level was statistically insignificant among subjects practice whitening creams with TCs vs healthy controls (P value 0.307). However, there were 7 out of 45 participants in the study group (15.6%) while none (0%)of the control group had low serum cortisol level (< 5 mg/dl) with highly statistically significant difference (P value < 0.001). In comparison and data analysis between subjects of the study group regarding practice duration, used quantity, application frequency, and method of exposure, there was high statistically significant difference between subjects with normal cortisol level vs subjects with low cortisol level (P value < 0.001). There were, no significant difference found regarding BMI, and arterial blood pressure between study group and controls.

Conclusion: Whitening creams abuse especially high potency TCs among Egyptian females may induce adrenal gland insufficiency.

Keywords: Serum cortisol level, Whitening creams, TCs.