Citations

Abstract Context Bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA) and autoimmune adrenal insufficiency (AAI) are 2 major causes of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Comparative data between etiologies are limited. Objective To compare management, quality of life (QoL), and frequency of adrenal crises between participants post-BLA vs AAI. Methods We conducted a dual-center, cross-sectional study of adults with AAI or BLA between 2018 and 2025. All participants completed questionnaires on management, adrenal crises, and the Addison Disease-specific QoL Questionnaire (AddiQoL). Results Of 343 participants, 203 had AAI (median age 54 years, 72% women) and 139 had BLA (median age 57 years, 76% women). AddiQoL scores were similar between participants with AAI and BLA (median 84 vs 83, P = .947), but better in participants post-BLA for pheochromocytoma versus hypercortisolism (median 88 vs 81, P = .031). Participants with AAI reported a higher number of adrenal crises within the past year than those post-BLA (25% vs 13%, P = .022). In multivariable analyses of age, sex, glucocorticoid dose and type, PAI type, AddiQoL score, and autoimmune comorbidities, only PAI type was associated with higher number of reported adrenal crisis within the last year (AAI vs BLA: odds ratios of 2.1-2.2, P < .05 for all models). Conclusion QoL was comparable between participants with AAI and BLA, though patients post-BLA for pheochromocytoma reported better QoL than patients post-BLA for hypercortisolism. Adrenal crises were more common in participants with AAI than those post-BLA, a finding that was not explained by patients’ glucocorticoid management, underscoring the need for tailored crisis prevention strategies.

ABSTRACT Objective Data on bone health in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) are limited and heterogenous. We sought to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and symptomatic fragility fractures in patients with adrenal adenomas and hypercortisolism, and explore associations with the degree of cortisol excess and frailty. Design This multicenter cross ‐sectional study involved prospective enrollment of adults with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFA), MACS, Cushing syndrome (CS) and referent subjects without adrenal disorders during the study period (January 2019–September 2022). All participants completed a bone health questionnaire at enrollment and had dual‐energy X ‐ray absorptiometry bone mineral density assessment within 12‐months. Final analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use. Results Participants included 117 with NFA (median age 62 years, 80% women), 191 with MACS (median age 63 years, 74% women), 62 with CS (median age 50 years, 92% women), and 101 referent subjects (median age 59 years, 47% women). Both patients with CS (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1–8.3) and MACS (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.9–4.9) had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis when compared to referents. Among patients with MACS, only those with post 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test (post‐1mg‐DST) cortisol > 83 nmol/L had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis when compared to referents (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4–7.5) and NFA (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.4). For clinical fragility fractures, only patients with CS showed an increased prevalence when compared to referents (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.7–26.4) and NFA (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3–11.2). Prevalence of clinical fragility fractures was similar to referents in patients with MACS (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 0.6–6.9) and NFA (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.4–6.1), and was not associated with post‐1mg‐DST cortisol or frailty in the MACS and NFA groups. Conclusion Patients with CS, and those with MACS and post‐1mg‐DST cortisol > 83 nmol/L, exhibited a higher burden of osteoporosis. However, only CS was associated with an elevated risk of symptomatic fragility fractures.

Abstract Objective Glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome (GWS) may develop in patients following successful surgery for endogenous hypercortisolism. Effective strategies to minimize GWS and improve quality of life (QoL) are currently lacking. We aimed to determine the impact of hydrocortisone vs prednisone therapy on GWS and QoL during the first 12 weeks postsurgery. Methods Single-center prospective cohort study (2019-2024) of adults with endogenous hypercortisolism who developed postoperative adrenal insufficiency and treated with either prednisone or hydrocortisone. Quality of life was assessed with Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Cushing QoL questionnaires at baseline and at 12 weeks postsurgery. GWS was assessed using weekly AddiQoL questionnaires for the first 12 weeks postsurgery. Results Of 165 patients, 101 (61%) were treated with hydrocortisone and 64 (39%) with prednisone. At baseline, no group differences were found in the hypercortisolism subtype, comorbidities, or QoL assessments. At follow-up, no group differences in final total daily hydrocortisone equivalent dose were seen. When adjusting for the baseline QoL assessment, patients treated with prednisone demonstrated a higher degree of improvement in their QoL, particularly in the SF-36 mental component score (estimate 0.33, 95% CI, 0.04-0.63), SF-36 role-emotional limitation (estimate 0.52, 95% CI, 0.2-0.84), and SF-36 body pain (estimate 0.31, 95% CI, 0.07-0.56) subcomponents. In the multivariable analysis of age, sex, body mass index, glucocorticoid type, baseline clinical severity score, and baseline QoL assessment, prednisone therapy was an independent predictor of better SF-36 mental component at 12 weeks postsurgery. Conclusions Prednisone therapy was associated with better mental health QoL than hydrocortisone at 12 weeks postsurgery in patients with hypercortisolism.

Abstract Disclosure: R. Sandooja: None. J. Saini: None. R. Gregg garcia: None. C. Zhang: None. S. Achenbach: None. E. Atkinson: None. J. Van Gompel: None. W.F. Young: None. I. Bancos: None. Hydrocortisone vs Prednisone During Recovery Following Surgical Cure for Endogenous Hypercortisolism: A Longitudinal Observational Study Introduction: Glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome (GWS) is a constellation of symptoms that occurs after successful surgery for endogenous hypercortisolism. The objective of this study is to compare hydrocortisone versus prednisone on GWS symptoms. Methods: Study design: Single-center prospective longitudinal cohort study, 2019-2023. Participants: Adults with Cushing syndrome (CS) and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) with post-operative adrenal insufficiency treated with either hydrocortisone or prednisone for glucocorticoid replacement. Measurements: Clinical and biochemical severity scores for hypercortisolism were calculated. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Cushing QOL surveys. GWS was assessed using weekly AddiQoL surveys for the first 12 weeks after surgery. Results: Of 131 patients, 91 (69%) patients were treated with hydrocortisone and 40 (31%) with prednisone. No differences in age (median age 51 vs 53 years, P=0.62), sex (84 vs 85% women, P=0.83), etiology of hypercortisolism (ACTH-dependent: 44% vs 48%, P=0.26), clinical severity of hypercortisolism (median score 13 vs 12, P=0.97), or biochemical severity of hypercortisolism (median score of 6 in both, P=0.31) were noted between groups. When assessed at 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks post-surgery, the prevalence and trajectory of symptoms (fatigue, myalgias/arthralgias, sleep, headaches, nausea, weakness) were similar in patients treated with hydrocortisone and prednisone (P>0.05 for all). However, patients treated with prednisone were less likely to report mood changes (8.5% vs 20.9%, P= 0.004) compared to those treated with hydrocortisone. When compared to the presurgical baseline, the overall Cushing QOL score 12 weeks post-surgery improved in both groups (mean delta 8.9 vs 13.0, P=0.21). No differences in the hydrocortisone vs prednisone treatment were found in the SF-36 physical component score (mean delta of -1.7 vs 0.3, P=0.23) and SF-36 mental component score (mean delta 2.3 vs 5.0, P=0.22). Using multivariable analysis, age (estimate 0.22, P= 0.005), clinical severity score (estimate -0.73, P<0.001), female sex (estimate -5.45, P= 0.046) but not glucocorticoid type (estimate -0.06, P=0.98) were associated with the overall GWS symptom burden at 12 weeks. Conclusion: Use of prednisone after curative surgery for hypercortisolism was associated with lower mood symptoms, but did not impact the overall severity or trajectory of other symptoms associated with GWS. Baseline clinical severity of hypercortisolism, age, and female sex were associated with GWS burden. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Abstract Context Patients with nonfunctioning adenomas (NFAs), adenomas with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) and Cushing syndrome (CS) demonstrate an increased cardiovascular risk. Objective This work aimed to determine the extent of lipoprotein abnormalities in NFA, MACS, and CS. Methods We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study of patients with NFA (n = 167), MACS (n = 213), CS (n = 142), and referent individuals (n = 202) between January 2015 and July 2022. Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles (TRLP), low-density lipoprotein particles (LDLP), high-density lipoprotein particles (HDLP), their subclasses and sizes were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariable logistic analyses were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and lipid-lowering drug therapy. Results In age- and sex-adjusted analysis, all patients categories demonstrated increased very large TRLP, large TRLP, and greater TRLP size (odds ratio [OR], 1.22-2.08) and total LDLP (OR, 1.22-1.75) and decreased LDL and HDL size compared to referent individuals. In fully adjusted analysis, LDLP concentrations remained elevated in all patient categories (OR, 1.31-1.84). Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were also higher in all patient categories in age- and sex-adjusted analysis, with ApoB remaining elevated in all patient categories in fully adjusted analysis. Similar LDLP and ApoB elevations were observed in all patient categories after excluding individuals on lipid-lowering therapy. Conclusion Patients with overt, mild, and even absent cortisol excess demonstrate lipoprotein profile abnormalities, in particular, high LDLP and ApoB concentrations, which conceivably contribute to high cardiometabolic risk.

Abstract Context Patients with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFA) and mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) demonstrate an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, factors associated with CKD are unknown. Objective We aimed to identify the factors associated with CKD and assess the effect of adrenalectomy on kidney function in patients with NFA or MACS. Methods A single-center cohort study of patients with NFA and MACS, 1999 to 2020, was conducted. MACS was diagnosed based on post dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol greater than or equal to 1.8 mcg/dL. Age, sex, dysglycemia, hypertension, therapy with statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or angiotensin II receptor blocker were included in the multivariable analysis. Outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of diagnosis with MACS or NFA and postadrenalectomy delta eGFR. Results Of 972 patients, 429 (44%) had MACS and 543 (56%) had NFA. At the time of diagnosis, patients with MACS had lower eGFR (median 79.6 vs 83.8 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < .001) than patients with NFA. In a multivariable analysis, factors associated with lower eGFR were older age, hypertension, and higher DST. In 204 patients (MACS: 155, 76% and NFA: 49, 24%) treated with adrenalectomy, postadrenalectomy eGFR improved in both groups starting at 18 months up to 3.5 years of follow-up. Factors associated with increased eGFR were younger age, lower preadrenalectomy eGFR, and longer follow-up period. Conclusion DST cortisol is an independent risk factor for lower eGFR in patients with adrenal adenomas. Patients with both MACS and NFA demonstrate an increase in eGFR post adrenalectomy, especially younger patients with lower eGFR pre adrenalectomy.

Abstract Objective Overnight metyrapone test (OMT) is a dynamic test used to diagnose secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI). Data on OMT use and its safety are scarce. We aimed to describe the indications and safety of outpatient OMT and compare OMT to the cosyntropin stimulation test (CST). Design Single‐centre retrospective study of adult patients undergoing OMT between 1 April 2018 and 27 January 2023. Measurements OMT‐related adverse events, post‐OMT diagnosis of SAI, and OMT comparison to CST. Results OMT was performed in 114 patients (81, 71% women) at a median age of 48 (interquartile range 37–58). The pretest probability for SAI was low in 52 (46%) patients, moderate in 48 (42%) patients and high in 14 (12%) patients. Adverse events were reported in 7 (6.1%) patients and were mild except for one hospitalization. No baseline or OMT‐related factors were associated with the development of adverse events. Prevalence of the OMT‐based SAI diagnosis was 26 (23%) and 47 (46%) using 11‐deoxycortisol cutoff <7 and <10 mcg/dL, respectively. Higher pretest probability was associated with the OMT‐based diagnosis of SAI. Post‐OMT 11‐deoxycortisol cutoff of 10 mcg/dL was used most to diagnose SAI. Compared to the OMT‐based diagnosis of SAI (11‐deoxycortisol cutoff of 10 mcg/dL), the specificity of CST was 100%, but the sensitivity was only 52%. Conclusions OMT was well tolerated and used in patients with low and moderate pretest probability for SAI. CST can erroneously exclude patients with SAI. Thus, OMT should be considered in selected patients with normal CST.

Abstract Disclosure: R. Gregg Garcia: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA) is a procedure with limited indications, such as bilateral pheochromocytomas and certain cases of Cushing syndrome. Impaired quality of life (QoL) has been reported in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) due to autoimmune adrenalitis (AA). We hypothesized that, when compared to AA, patients post-BLA experience worse QoL due to sequelae of Cushing syndrome or pheochromocytoma. Objective: To compare the QoL and burden of disease in patients with PAI due to BLA versus AA. Methods: A cross-sectional study of adults with PAI due to BLA or AA, August 15 - November 26, 2022. Patients were excluded if PAI was diagnosed within one year from the enrollment date or if active malignancy was present. Participants completed a questionnaire about symptoms, burden of disease, adrenal crisis, and QoL (AddiQoL). Results: Of 120 patients with PAI, 49 (41%) had BLA, and 71 (59%) had AA. Median age was 52 years (range 23-80), without subgroup differences, but a higher proportion of women in the post-BLA vs the AA group (86% vs 69%, p=0.04). Reasons for BLA were Cushing syndrome (44, 90%) and bilateral pheochromocytomas (5, 10%). Duration of PAI was higher in patients with AA (median 12 vs 7 years post-BLA, p=0.02). The majority of patients reported wearing a medical bracelet (82%), having injectable glucocorticoid (90%), and comfort injecting (61%), without subgroup differences. Total daily hydrocortisone dose was higher in patients with AA vs patients post-BLA (mean of 23 mg vs 20 mg, p=0.03). A total of 26 (22%) patients reported at least one adrenal crisis within the last year, with a greater proportion in the post-BLA group (33% vs 14% in AA, p=0.02). No subgroup differences were noted in risk factors for adrenal crisis development, such as hydrocortisone equivalent dose, type of glucocorticoid therapy, duration of PAI, having a medic alert bracelet and injectable glucocorticoids, comfort injecting, or physical activity. Compared to AA, patients post-BLA had a similar QoL (median AddiQoL score 86 vs 84, p-value 0.72). Duration of PAI was not associated with QoL. Physical activity ≥3 times/week was associated with a better QoL (median AddiQoL score 90 vs 80 in those with lower level of physical activity, p=0.001); no subgroup differences in physical activity ≥3 times/week were found (57% in BLA vs 62% in AA, p=0.59). Since the initial diagnosis of PAI, more patients with AA reported that PAI was “harder” to manage (23% vs 6% post-BLA, p-value 0.04), with most patients reporting that management was easier (52% in AA and 63% in BLA) or not different (25% in AA and 31% in BLA). Conclusions: Despite a higher prevalence of adrenal crisis, more patients with BLA vs AA found PAI easier to manage. Moreover, patients with BLA and AA had a similar level of comfort and education managing PAI, similar QoL, and engaged in similar levels of physical activity, despite history of Cushing syndrome. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Abstract Disclosure: J. Saini: None. R. Gregg Garcia: None. J. Herndon: None. D.Z. Erickson: None. L. Gruber: None. I. Bancos: None. Context: Overnight metyrapone test (OMT) is a dynamic test used to diagnose secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI). However, it is uncommonly used and the data on the OMT indications and performance are scarce. We aimed to characterize the indications, performance, and safety of outpatient OMT. Methods: Single center retrospective study in adults with OMT between April 1st, 2018 -July 31st, 2022. We evaluated three post-OMT cutoffs diagnostic of SAI: 1) 11-deoxycortisol ≤7 mcg/dL (11D≤7); 2) 11-deoxycortisol ≤10 mcg/dL (11D≤10), or 3) sum of cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol ≤15 mcg/dL (sum≤15), in comparison to pre-test probability and reference standard, defined as clinician-made diagnosis of SAI. When available, OMT-based SAI diagnosis was compared to results from the cosyntropin stimulation test (CST). Results: OMT was performed in 109 patients (76, 70% women) at a median age of 48 (IQR, 37-59) years. Pre-test probability for SAI was high in 13 (12%), moderate in 46 (43%), and low in 49 (45%) patients. Indications for OMT included evaluation of symptoms without clear SAI risk factors (38, 35%), suspected SAI due to chronic opioid use (25, 23%), pituitary pathology/therapies (25, 23%), exogenous glucocorticoid use (8, 7%), other (13, 12%). Overnight metyrapone was administered at a median dose of 2500 (IQR, 2125-3000). Adverse events were reported by 9 (8%) patients and were mild (nausea, fatigue) except for 1 patient who had to be hospitalized. The final diagnosis of SAI was made in 25 (48%) patients: 92%, 52%, and 12% of patients with high, moderate, and low pre-test probability. When compared to the clinician-made SAI diagnosis, OMT-based diagnosis of SAI was made in 60% of patients using the 11D≤7 cutoff, and in 81% of patients using the other cutoffs (11D≤10 or sum≤15). In 50 patients with concomitant CST, the final diagnosis of SAI was made in 23 (46%) patients, despite the normal CST results (post-cosyntropin peak cortisol ≥18 mcg/dL) in 12/23 patients. In patients with post-cosyntropin peak cortisol ≥18 mcg/dL, OMT was abnormal in 14% of patients (using post-OMT cutoff 11D≤7), 29% of patients (based on cutoff 11D≤10), and in 30% of patients (based on sum≤15). Conclusions: Outpatient OMT is well tolerated and was mostly used in patients with low/moderate pre-test probability for SAI. In patients with normal CST, OMT may diagnose SAI in additional 30% of patients, especially if the pre-test probability is high. Post-OMT sum of 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol &lt;15 mcg/dL performs well in diagnosing SAI while allowing confirmation of adequate cortisol suppression. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Abstract Disclosure: S. Rolak: None. N. Venkatesan: None. R. Gregg Garcia: None. W.F. Young: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Bilateral primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy. However, the best way to monitor the success of MRA therapy is unclear. Aims: To compare the impact of curative adrenalectomy versus MRA therapy in patients with PA on plasma renin activity (PRA), renal function, and hypertension control. Methods: Single center retrospective study of patients with unilateral PA treated with adrenalectomy or bilateral PA treated with MRAs, 2017-2021. Patients underwent adrenal vein sampling to confirm laterality. Hypertension control was defined based on blood pressure measurements and the standardized hypertension daily dose (HDD). Minimum follow-up was defined as first nonsuppressed PRA or &gt;1 month from therapy. Results: Of 73 patients, 53 underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for unilateral PA (median age 57, range 25-71 years, 36% women) and 20 had bilateral PA treated with MRA (median age 49, range 30-70 years, 70% women). At baseline, when compared to the bilateral PA, patients with unilateral PA had higher plasma aldosterone concentrations (median 31 ng/dL vs 19 ng/dL, P= 0.001), similarly suppressed PRA, and similar estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Uncontrolled hypertension (&gt;130/90 mmHg) was seen in 40 (75%) of patients with unilateral PA and 14 (70%) patients with bilateral PA, despite a more intensive antihypertensive regimen in unilateral PA (median HDD 5, range 1-18 vs median HDD 3.5 in bilateral PA, range 0.5-9; P=0.016). Hypokalemia was present in 50 (94%) patients with unilateral PA and 15 (75%) in bilateral PA, P = 0.02.Following treatment, hyperkalemia developed in 10 (19%) patients post-adrenalectomy and in 2 (10%) patients treated with MRAs, P = 0.36. At a median follow up of 108 days, 24 (45%) patients treated with adrenalectomy and 16 (80%) patients treated with MRAs demonstrated PRA &gt;1.5 ng/mL/hr, P = 0.008. eGFR decreased by at least 10 points in 15 (30%) patients treated with adrenalectomy vs in 11 (59%) patients treated with MRAs (P=0.033). Post-adrenalectomy, antihypertensive management lessened by a median of 2.5 HDD, while HDD increased in patients treated with MRAs by a median of 1.25, P&lt;0.0001. Hypertension control improved, with a mean decrease in systolic blood pressure of -11 mmHg (95%CI -16.5-(-5.5)) without between group differences. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by a mean of -4.7 mmHg (95%CI -8.7-(-0.7)) in the adrenalectomy group but did not change in those treated with MRAs. Conclusions: Following curative adrenalectomy in unilateral PA, more than half of patients continue to have suppressed PRA. Despite less severe PA at baseline, patients treated with MRAs, as compared to those treated with adrenalectomy, demonstrate a higher prevalence of non-suppressed PRA, lower eGFR, similar hypertension control, and a more intense antihypertensive regimen during follow up. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023