title: Assessment of Adrenal Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients Who Received First-Line Chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed this prospective study to identify both the incidence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients who were treated with the S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) regimen as a first-line palliative chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed adverse events (AEs) observed in 52 patients who received the SP regimen for AGC between January 2009 and June 2010 using the Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0. Adrenal function was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks after chemotherapy using the low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. HRQOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC-QLQ C30).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of AI was 30.8% (n = 16) and of AE observed 55% (n = 29) among 52 patients after 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Of 29 patients with AE, 34.4% (n = 10) were diagnosed with AI, and of 23 patients without AE, 26.1% (n = 6) were diagnosed with AI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of secondary AI in AGC patients was not rare and was not correlated with the presence of nonspecific AEs. Although patients diagnosed with AI did not show any related symptoms, they are at risk of potentially life-threatening consequences. Thus, the evaluation of AI could be suggested for patients who received chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Ryun
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jee Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yumie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Hosun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Chan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sukyung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Sung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Sun Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Rha
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid; D002945:Cisplatin; D006854:Hydrocortisone