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Cardiff University |
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Information provided by: | Cardiff University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00851942 |
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The investigators' current short Synacthen® test cut-offs therefore rely on historical reference ranges which have become outdated.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.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
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Healthy Adrenal Insufficiency Hypopituitarism |
Drug: Synacthen (Tetracosactrin) |
Phase IV |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Diagnostic, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study |
Official Title: | Determination of Method-Specific Normal Cortisol and Adrenal Hormone Responses to the Short Synacthen Test |
Estimated Enrollment: | 240 |
Study Start Date: | September 2008 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | April 2010 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date: | April 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 80 Years |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Contact: Aled Rees, MB BCH, PhD | +44(0)2920745002 | reesda@cf.ac.uk |
United Kingdom, South Glamorgan | |
Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital of Wales | Recruiting |
Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom, CF14 4XW | |
Contact: Aled Rees, MB BCh, PhD +44(0)2920745002 reesda@cf.ac.uk | |
Contact: Nadia El-Farhan +44(0)2920748367 nadia.el-farhan@cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk | |
Principal Investigator: Aled Rees, MB BCh, PhD |
Principal Investigator: | Aled Rees, MB BCh, PhD | Cardiff University |
Responsible Party: | Cardiff University ( Dr Aled Rees ) |
Study ID Numbers: | SPON 431-07 |
Study First Received: | February 25, 2009 |
Last Updated: | February 25, 2009 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00851942 History of Changes |
Health Authority: | United Kingdom: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency |
Volunteer Hypoadrenalism Hypopituitarism Healthy volunteers |
Addison's Disease Hydrocortisone Hormone Antagonists Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Adrenal Gland Diseases Healthy Hypoadrenalism Brain Diseases X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Hormones Hypopituitarism Adrenoleukodystrophy Addison Disease |
Epinephrine Hypothalamic Diseases Adrenal Insufficiency Autoimmune Diseases Adrenal Gland Hypofunction Pituitary Diseases Cortisol succinate Central Nervous System Diseases Endocrine System Diseases Cosyntropin Endocrinopathy Hydrocortisone acetate |
Hypothalamic Diseases Adrenal Insufficiency Autoimmune Diseases Immune System Diseases Pituitary Diseases Physiological Effects of Drugs Nervous System Diseases Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Adrenal Gland Diseases |
Endocrine System Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cosyntropin Brain Diseases Hormones Pharmacologic Actions Hypopituitarism Addison Disease |