Adrenal functions in patients with sepsis^*

Summary

The basal Cortisol level and Cortisol response to ACTH stimulation test were assessed in patients with sepsis, the results being compared to a control group of 30 healthy persons. The study group included 49 patients with sepsis and 30 healthy subjects as a control group. The mean age in the study group was 42.6 ± 18.7 years and 41.4 ± 12.1 years in the control group. Fifteen of the 49 (30.6%) patients had hospital-acquired and 34 (69.4%) patients community-acquired sepsis. Etiological agent was isolated in 35 (71.4%) patients (57.1% gram negative bacteria and34.3% gram positive bacteria, plus 8.6% polymicrobial). Fourteen of 49 (28.6%) patients died. Mean basal Cortisol level was 597.1 ± 304.6 nmol/1 (range 217.8—1667.9) in the study group and 460.2 ± 180.8 nmol/1 (range 253.6 — 988.9) in the control group. Mean basal Cortisol level in the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Mean basal Cortisol level was found to be 725.5 ± 448.9 nmol/1 in the patients who died and 545.8 ± 210.9 nmol/1 in the patients who recovered. The difference between the two groups was found to be significant (p < 0.05). ACTH stimulation test was performed in 43 of the patients and 30 healthy subjects. Cortisol response was significantly lower (mean 277.7 ± 216.9 nmol/1) in the patients than that detected in the control group (mean 519.6 ± 279.2) (p < 0.001). Mean Cortisol response in the patients who died was 227.2 ± 224.5 nmol/1 and 302.1 ±212.7 nmol/ 1 in the patients who recovered (p > 0.05). Adrenocortical insufficiency was detected in 16.3% of the patients and 42.9% of these patients died. In conclusion, sepsis is characterized by high basal Cortisol level which may show a poor prognosis and a blunted Cortisol response to ACTH stimulation. A small percentage of patients with sepsis may develop adrenocortical insufficiency

Key words

Sepsis - sepsis related disorders - adrenocortical function