title: Evaluation of pituitary-adrenal function in patients with chronic bronchial asthma following substitution of steroid treatment with disodium cromoglycate (Lomudal).
abstract: In a group of 32 steroid-dependent asthmatic patients an attempt was made to replace steroid treatment with disodium cromoglycate (Lomudal). Withdrawal of steroids was accompanied by a transitory stage of combined corticotropin-Lomudal treatment for 6 to 8 mo. Pituitary-adrenal function was assessed by ACTH and Metopirone test. Before treatment an impairment of pituitary-adrenal function was found in most of our patients, although in 26 patients a normal increment of plasma cortisol was found after ACTH stimulation. At the end of the combined treatment, 17 patients are now on Lomudal with normal pituitary-adrenal function, 9 patients need small quantities of steroids occasionally, and 6 patients are steroid-dependent.
mesh_terms: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000652:urine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008797:Metyrapone