Risk factors of relative adrenocortical deficiency in intensive care patients needing mechanical ventilation.
OBJECTIVE
To study the factors associated with relative adrenocortical deficiency in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.


METHODS
Prospective observational study in a multidisciplinary ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-two consecutive, acutely ill patients needing mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h.


RESULTS
A high-dose short corticotropin test 24 h after endotracheal intubation. Relative adrenocortical deficiency ("nonresponder" group of patients) was defined by a rise in cortisol less than 90 microg/l after stimulation. Twenty-seven patients were classified as nonresponders and 35 as responders. On univariate analysis nonresponders were more often men, had lower mean arterial pressure, required vasoactive agents more often, had lower creatinine clearance, higher SAPS II, higher organ dysfunction scores, and received etomidate as a single bolus for endotracheal intubation more often than responders. On multivariate analysis, only etomidate administration was related to relative adrenocortical deficiency (OR 12.21; 95% CI 2.99-49.74) while female gender was protective (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03-0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
A single bolus infusion of etomidate could be a major risk factor for the development of relative adrenocortical deficiency in ICU patients for at least 24 h after administration. Female gender is an independent protective factor.
Malerba
Gabriel
G
Service d'aide médicale urgente, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nancy Cedex, France.
Romano-Girard
Florence
F
Cravoisy
Aurélie
A
Dousset
Brigitte
B
Nace
Lionel
L
Lévy
Bruno
B
Bollaert
Pierre-Edouard
PE
D000224:Addison Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005045:Etomidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D005045:Etomidate