title: Endocrine changes in critical illness.
abstract: The homeostatic corrections that have emerged in the course of human evolution to cope with catastrophic events involve a complex multisystem endeavor, of which the endocrine contribution is an integral component. Although the repertoire of endocrine changes has been probed in some detail, discerning the vulnerabilities and failure of this system is far more challenging. The ensuing endocrine topics illustrate some of the current issues reflecting attempts to gain an improved insight and clinical outcome for critical illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, George Washington University School of Medicine, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 50 Irving St, NW, Rm GE246, Washington, DC 20422, USA. nylen4@aol.com
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Nylen
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015984:Causality; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone