Abstract
PURPOSE: Beta-thalassemia major is a severe, congenital hematological disorder and, if untreated, leads to early mortality. Progress in therapeutical strategies improved clinical outcomes and life expectancy; however, increased survival led to the development of new disorders, including endocrinopathies. Little is known on the possible impairment of adrenocortical function, a potentially life-threatening condition, in long-term thalassaemic survivors. We therefore decided to assess adrenal reserve and the value of salivary cortisol during ACTH stimulation in the diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency in adult patients with β-thalassemia major.METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 72 adults with β-thalassemia major. Patients were tested with 1 µg ACTH for serum and salivary cortisol.RESULTS: Subnormal serum cortisol responses to ACTH stimulation (i.e.,
Original language | Italian |
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Pages (from-to) | 348-354 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Endocrine |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2018 |