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Determination of Method-specific Normal Cortisol and Adrenal Hormone Responses to the Short Synacthen Test

Information source: Cardiff University
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

Condition(s) targeted: Healthy; Adrenal Insufficiency; Hypopituitarism

Intervention: Synacthen (Tetracosactrin) (Drug)

Phase: Phase 4

Status: Active, not recruiting

Sponsored by: Cardiff University

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Aled Rees, MB BCh, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Cardiff University

Summary

Synacthen® is a synthetic analogue of ACTH which has been used since the 1960s to assess adrenal sufficiency. It is now well established as a first line test to investigate diseases of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and to assess adrenal function in patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy. Briefly, cortisol is measured before and after injection of 250 micrograms of Synacthen®. In a normal individual serum cortisol will rise to concentrations greater than an arbitrary value (typically 550 nmol/l) 30 minutes after administration of Synacthen®. In 2004 the All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit group surveyed protocols for performing and interpreting short Synacthen® tests. This identified wide differences in practice within Wales. As a result standards were drawn up for performance of the test. It was noted that there was considerable variability or bias between cortisol immunoassays and that the cortisol cut-off chosen for interpretation of the short Synacthen® test should be method dependent. Clark et al., in 1998 reported cortisol cut-offs following Synacthen® using 4 well established commercially available cortisol immunoassays. This study demonstrated considerable differences between the cortisol immunoassays used in clinical laboratories at the time. It was also apparent that there were differences in gender-related responses to Synacthen® although there was no dependence on age. In the 8 years since publication of this study there have been advances in formulation of cortisol immunoassays as well as the instrumentation used to perform analyses. At the University Hospital of Wales cortisol is currently assayed using the Bayer Centaur automated immunoassay analyser. This assay was not available at the time of the study by Clark et al.,. The investigators' current short Synacthen® test cut-offs therefore rely on historical reference ranges which have become outdated. A re-evaluation of the cortisol cut-off is required to ensure that patients are not incorrectly classified. It has been long been recognised that oestrogens (including ethinyloestradiol prescribed in combined oral contraceptive pills) increase total (but not free) serum cortisol levels. The degree of increase is related to the dose used and is thought to be due to an elevation in cortisol binding globulin (CBG). However, no comparisons of total serum cortisol in response to Synacthen® have been performed between women taking oestrogens and those who are not. Knowledge of the salivary cortisol response may also be useful in patients with decreased serum CBG concentrations e. g. severe nephrotic syndrome in whom the serum cortisol response may be misleading. The investigators therefore plan to measure salivary cortisol as part of the investigators' study protocol to assess the response of free cortisol. 17 Hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cortisol. Deficiency of 21-hydroxylase enzyme activity leads to an increased concentration of 17OHP in the peripheral circulation. The short Synacthen® test can be used to assist in diagnosis of mild cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Current reference ranges are taken from the literature.

Clinical Details

Official title: Determination of Method-specific Normal Cortisol and Adrenal Hormone Responses to the Short Synacthen Test

Study design: Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Diagnostic

Primary outcome: The primary end-point of the study will be to establish method dependent cortisol cut offs for the normal response to Synacthen® using the 5th percentile.

Secondary outcome:

Cortisol measurements by immunoassay will be compared with the GC-MS gold standard method for normal volunteers and patients with hypopituitarism and hypoadrenalism.

Synacthen® responses in women taking ethinyloestradiol-containing contraceptive pills will be compared with those who are not.

We will establish cut offs for the salivary cortisol response to Synacthen® in normal volunteers using the 5th percentile.

We will establish a 17OHP cut off in response to Synacthen® in normal female volunteers using the 5th percentile.

Eligibility

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 80 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Volunteers will be in self-proclaimed good health

- Volunteers will be free of illness on the day of testing

- Volunteers will not be taking drug therapy.

- Patients will be free of intercurrent illness on the day of testing

- Patients will have a confirmed diagnosis of hypoadrenalism or hypopituitarism

Exclusion Criteria:

- Is pregnant or lactating. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative

pregnancy test before enrollment onto the study. Non-child bearing potential is defined as post-menopausal for at least 1 year, surgical sterilisation or hysterectomy at least three months before the start of the study,

- Is using corticosteroids,

- has any significant intercurrent disease,

- has a history of thyroid or other autoimmune disease,

- has a previous history of hypersensitivity to Synacthen®,

- has a previous history of asthma

- has a history of allergic disorder

- has any mental condition rendering the patient unable to understand the nature or

possible consequences of the study, and/or evidence of an uncooperative attitude.

Locations and Contacts

Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
Additional Information

Starting date: September 2008
Last updated: February 24, 2010

Page last updated: August 23, 2015

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