[Serum cortisol concentrations in acute non-critical ill patients, measured in three periods of the day].
BACKGROUND
Analysis of serum cortisol concentrations in patients with appropriate adrenocortical function and acute non-critical illness, in three periods of the day (11.30-15.00; 15.00-18.30; 18.30-22.00).


METHODS
One hundred and thirteen patients(40, 38 and 35, respectively) were evaluated at the Emergency Department. Every patient had a definite diagnosis.


RESULTS
In each period, minimum and mean serum cortisol concentrations were:8-8-8 microg/dl(220,8-220,8-220,8 nmol/l) and 27,8-24,1-29,3 microg/dl (767,3-665,2-808,7 nmol/l). No statistically significant differences were found between period means. A quarter of patients did not show serum cortisol concentrations >= 18 microg/dl (496,8 nmol/l).


CONCLUSIONS
Inpatients with acute disease, a random cortisol concentration below 8 microg/dL (220,8 nmol/L) is a strong presumptive evidence of adrenocortical insufficiency.
Maciá Bobes
C
C
Unidad de Endocrinología. Hospital San Agustín. Avilés. Asturias. cmacb@arrakis.es
Begoña Paredes Ojanguren
M
M
Pilar Poncela Cuesta
M
M
Asunción Alvarez Rueda
M
M
Castaño Fernández
G
G
Venta Obaya
R
R
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone