title: Health status of adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a cohort study of 203 patients.
abstract: 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.
authors: Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Wiebke
authors: W
authors: Arlt
authors: Debbie S
authors: DS
authors: Willis
authors: Sarah H
authors: SH
authors: Wild
authors: Nils
authors: N
authors: Krone
authors: Emma J
authors: EJ
authors: Doherty
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Hahner
authors: Thang S
authors: TS
authors: Han
authors: Paul V
authors: PV
authors: Carroll
authors: Gerry S
authors: GS
authors: Conway
authors: D Aled
authors: DA
authors: Rees
authors: Roland H
authors: RH
authors: Stimson
authors: Brian R
authors: BR
authors: Walker
authors: John M C
authors: JM
authors: Connell
authors: Richard J
authors: RJ
authors: Ross
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids