Health status of adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a cohort study of 203 patients.
BACKGROUND
No consensus exists for management of adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to a paucity of data from cohorts of meaningful size.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to establish the health status of adults with CAH.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of adults with CAH attending specialized endocrine centers across the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Participants included 203 CAH patients (199 with 21-hydroxylase deficiency): 138 women, 65 men, median age 34 (range 18-69) years.


METHODS
Anthropometric, metabolic, and subjective health status was evaluated. Anthropometric measurements were compared with Health Survey for England data, and psychometric data were compared with appropriate reference cohorts.


RESULTS
Glucocorticoid treatment consisted of hydrocortisone (26%), prednisolone (43%), dexamethasone (19%), or a combination (10%), with reverse circadian administration in 41% of patients. Control of androgens was highly variable with a normal serum androstenedione found in only 36% of patients, whereas 38% had suppressed levels suggesting glucocorticoid overtreatment. In comparison with Health Survey for England participants, CAH patients were significantly shorter and had a higher body mass index, and women with classic CAH had increased diastolic blood pressure. Metabolic abnormalities were common, including obesity (41%), hypercholesterolemia (46%), insulin resistance (29%), osteopenia (40%), and osteoporosis (7%). Subjective health status was significantly impaired and fertility compromised.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, a minority of adult United Kingdom CAH patients appear to be under endocrine specialist care. In the patients studied, glucocorticoid replacement was generally nonphysiological, and androgen levels were poorly controlled. This was associated with an adverse metabolic profile and impaired fertility and quality of life. Improvements in the clinical management of adults with CAH are required.
Arlt
Wiebke
W
Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Willis
Debbie S
DS
Wild
Sarah H
SH
Krone
Nils
N
Doherty
Emma J
EJ
Hahner
Stefanie
S
Han
Thang S
TS
Carroll
Paul V
PV
Conway
Gerry S
GS
Rees
D Aled
DA
Stimson
Roland H
RH
Walker
Brian R
BR
Connell
John M C
JM
Ross
Richard J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
D005938:Glucocorticoids