title: Baseline cortisol levels, cortisol response to corticotropin, and prognosis in late septic shock.
abstract: The prognostic value of basal and corticotropin-stimulated cortisol concentration in patients with sepsis remains a controversial issue. In a retrospective cohort study, 82 consecutive patients with septic shock underwent a short corticotropin test performed more than 24 h after the onset of vasopressor therapy. Forty-one (50%) patients died within 28 days after the onset of septic shock. The mean (SD) basal cortisol level was 22.7 (10.6) microg/dL. With threshold values of 7 and 9 microg/dL maximal increases in cortisol level, 28 (34%) and 31 (38%) patients were, respectively, classified as nonresponders to the short corticotropin test. On multivariate analysis, a cortisol level >20 microg/dL (P = 0.0002), a maximal response to corticotropin <9 microg/dL (P = 0.044), abnormal lactate values (P = 0.0098), and positive blood cultures (P = 0.004) were independent predictors of 28-day mortality. In conclusion, high basal cortisol and low increase on corticotropin stimulation are predictors of a poor outcome in late septic shock. The underlying mechanisms of these prognostic patterns remain to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Nancy University Hospital, 54035 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Edouard
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bollaert
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fieux
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charpentier
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lévy
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone