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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 P517 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.P517

1Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism; 2Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark, Department of Internal Medicine; 3Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen; 4QualityMetric, USA; 5National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark; 6University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Department of Public Health; 7Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark, Center of Rheumatology and Joint Diseases; 8Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg and Bispebjerg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark, Center of Rheumatology and Joint Diseases; 9Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, Department of Nephrology; 10Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; 11Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Denmark, Center of Rheumatology and Joint Diseases; 12Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark, Center of Rheumatology and Joint Diseases; 13Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark, Center of Rheumatology and Joint Diseases


Objective: Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency is highly prevalent, but the clinical consequences are not fully understood. Therefore, the indication of adding stress dosages of glucocorticoid during ongoing anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of adrenal function on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients receiving ongoing low-dose prednisolone treatment.

Methods: Cross sectional study of 181 patients treated >6 months with prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n=103), polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) (n=47) or renal transplantation (RTx) (n=31). Patients received ongoing prednisolone treatment, median dose 5 mg/day (range 2.5-20 mg) and were not routinely advised to increase the dose during intercurrent illness or stress. Adrenal function was assessed by ACTH test. HRQoL was evaluated during ongoing prednisolone treatment with SF-36v2 scales General Health and Vitality, AddiQol total score (not RA patients), Fatigue VAS scale (PMR/GCA cohort), and self-reported hospital admissions and doctor’s appointments. Analyses of the impact of stimulated P-cortisol on HRQoL controlling for underlying disease were performed in i) all patients and ii) 128 patients receiving low-dose treatment (≤5 mg/day), respectively.

Results: Adrenal insufficiency was found in 41% of patients (35% low-dose patients). Overall, General Health, Vitality, and AddiQol scores were not associated with stimulated P-cortisol. Mean total AddiQol score was 62.5 (SD 7.7). There was a trend for more medical contacts with lower stimulated P-cortisol (1.17 hospital admissions/year/-100nmol/l, CI95%:-0.05–2.23, P=0.061) and (1.11 doctor’s appointments/year/-100nmol/l, CI95%:-0.14–2.36, P=0.083). In the PMR/GCA subcohort, Fatigue VAS score was higher with lower stimulated P-cortisol (4.8mm/-100nmol/l, CI95%:0.9–8.7, P=0.017) and General Health and Vitality tended to be lower (GH:-3.78 points/-100nmol/l, CI95%:-7.16–-0.40, P=0.029) (VT:-3.96 points/-100nmol/l, CI95% -8.38–0.45, P=0.077). However, low-dose patients had higher Vitality with lower stimulated P-cortisol (3.12/-100nmol/l, CI95%:0.17–6.07, P=0.038).

Conclusion: Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency was associated with fatigue and reduced General health in the PMR cohort and a trend for more doctor’s appointments/admissions in the whole cohort, but otherwise poorly associated with HRQoL during ongoing prednisolone treatment. Results can reflect poor HRQoL consequences of glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency during ongoing (low-dose) prednisolone treatment or insufficient sensitivity of HRQoL instruments with long recall periods rather than daily symptom monitoring during situations of stress.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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