title: Hormones in the critically ill patient: to intervene or not to intervene?
abstract: Critically ill patients show a variety of hormonal changes that appear to differ considerably in acute and prolonged critical illness. Whether these endocrine alterations serve as physiological adaptation or contribute to further deterioration remains an intriguing question. We review the recent literature and discuss whether measuring circulating hormone concentrations, performing stimulation tests, and intervening with hormone substitution could contribute to the recovery of critically ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Intensive and Respiratory Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.j.m.litenberg@int.azg.nl
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ligtenberg
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Girbes
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beentjes
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tulleken
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: van der Werf
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018579:Patient Selection; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone