title: [Evaluation of salivary 17-hydroxyprogesterone and its clinical usefulness in the study of hirsutism and the partial deficiency of 21-hydroxylase].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The usefulness of the concentration of salivary 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPRG) in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia by partial deficiency of 21-hydroxylase was studied. As a biologic medium, saliva has important advantages such as facility in sample collection and the avoidance of the stress of venous puncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Salivary 17-OHPRG was measured by a direct solid phase radioimmunoassay. A control group made up of 28 males and 26 females was studied. The group of patients included 30 women, 10 of them with a previous diagnosis of partial deficit of 21-hydroxylase. Basal values were established in the control group and were compared with those found in the patients in whom a stimulation test with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was performed collecting blood and saliva samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of 17-OHPRG observed in the patients with partial deficiency of 21-hydroxylase were significantly higher than those found in the control group and in the group with hirsutism, including both basal levels and those following stimulation. The correlation between the values found in blood and saliva was very significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measure of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in saliva by a method of direct radioimmunoassay is a valid alternative test to serum measure in both basal conditions and following a stimulation test.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Hormonas (Servicio de Bioquímica), Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, Barcelona.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bonnín
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Machuca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villabona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Navarro
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone
vernacular_title: Valoración de la 17-hidroxiprogesterona salival y su aplicación clínica en el estudio del hirsutismo y del déficit parcial de 21-hidroxilasa.