No increased prevalence of adrenocortical insufficiency in human immunodeficiency virus-associated tuberculosis.
METHODS
Acute medical wards, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of adrenocortical insufficiency in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infected and non-infected patients with tuberculosis.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-four patients with proven tuberculosis (90 HIV-1 positive and 84 HIV-1 negative) were assessed for adrenocortical insufficiency with a 30 min synacthen stimulation test.


RESULTS
Fifty-one percent of those with pulmonary tuberculosis and 56% of those with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis had a subnormal cortisol response. However there was no statistically significant difference between the HIV-1 infected and non-infected patients in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
While an impaired cortisol response is common in tuberculosis, it is no more prevalent in HIV-1 infected patients than non-infected patients with tuberculosis.
Hawken
M P
MP
Clinical Research Centre, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ojoo
J C
JC
Morris
J S
JS
Kariuki
E W
EW
Githui
W A
WA
Juma
E S
ES
Gathua
S N
SN
Kimari
J N
JN
Thiong'o
L N
LN
Raynes
J G
JG
Broadbent
P
P
Gilks
C F
CF
Otieno
L S
LS
McAdam
K P
KP
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology
D006854:Hydrocortisone