患者因激素敏感性疾病接受超生理剂量的口服糖皮质激素治疗,以及随后出现的库欣样表现(向心性肥胖、满月脸、颈背部脂肪垫和紫纹)均有助于尽早识别可能的下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴抑制。然而,HPA轴抑制表现多在皮质类固醇治疗后4~5天出现,即使局部糖皮质激素应用也可出现HPA轴抑制。[44]Streck WF, Lockwood DH. Pituitary adrenal recovery following short-term suppression with corticosteroids. Am J Med. 1979;66:910-914.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222143?tool=bestpractice.com[50]Villabona CV, Koh C, Panergo J, et al. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test during high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. Endocr Pract. 2009;15:122-127.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19289322?tool=bestpractice.com8例接受多次关节内醋酸甲泼尼松龙治疗患者,其中2例末次治疗后HPA轴的抑制可长达5到6周。[53]Reid DM, Eastmond C, Rennie JA. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression after repeated intra-articular steroid injections. Ann Rheum Dis. 1986;45:87.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1001824/pdf/annrheumd00268-0101.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3954466?tool=bestpractice.com尽管当皮质类固醇迅速减量或停药时,一些患者出现库欣样表现而另一些患者则有明显的肾上腺皮质功能不全症状,但其HPA轴的抑制可能都是轻微的。并不是所有患者都出现库欣样症状,需要高度警惕。诊断医源性肾上腺功能抑制的关键是询问出糖皮质激素或其他可能致病药物的暴露史。应重点询问患者如是否使用过含有糖皮质激素成分的滴眼液、鼻喷剂、呼吸吸入剂及止痛针剂等。
病史、症状和体征
患者接受超生理剂量的糖皮质激素,尤其是使用高效制剂和/或长期应用情况下,有发生肾上腺功能抑制的风险。[10]Wlodarczyk JH, Gibson PG, Caeser M. Impact of inhaled corticosteroids on cortisol suppression in adults with asthma: a quantitative review. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008;100:23-30.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18254478?tool=bestpractice.com[13]Masoli M, Weatherall M, Holt S, et al. Inhaled fluticasone propionate and adrenal effects in adult asthma: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir J. 2006;28:960-967.http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/28/5/960.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16737984?tool=bestpractice.com[14]Sherman B, Weinberger M, Chen-Walden H, et al. Further studies of the effects of inhaled glucocorticoids on pituitary-adrenal function in healthy adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1982;69:208-212.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7056952?tool=bestpractice.com[44]Streck WF, Lockwood DH. Pituitary adrenal recovery following short-term suppression with corticosteroids. Am J Med. 1979;66:910-914.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222143?tool=bestpractice.com[45]Henzen C, Suter A, Lerch E, et al. Suppression and recovery of adrenal response after short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid treatment. Lancet. 2000;355:542-545.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10683005?tool=bestpractice.com[47]Fujieda K, Reyes FI, Blankstein J, et al. Pituitary-adrenal function in women treated with low doses of prednisone. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980;137:962-965.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6996485?tool=bestpractice.com[46]Danowski TS, Bonessi JV, Sabeh G, et al. Probabilities of pituitary-adrenal responsiveness after steroid therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1964;61:11-26.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14175832?tool=bestpractice.com然而非全身性皮质类固醇也可引起肾上腺功能抑制。应详细询问病史,明确糖皮质激素的使用模式。应重点关注经常需要口服或经其他途径给予皮质类固醇治疗的疾病,如:
鼻内皮质类固醇治疗过敏性鼻炎[54]Perry RJ, Findlay CA, Donaldson MD. Cushing's syndrome, growth impairment, and occult adrenal suppression associated with intranasal steroids. Arch Dis Child. 2002;87:45-48.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1751129/pdf/v087p00045.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12089123?tool=bestpractice.com
局部皮质类固醇治疗皮肤病[20]Guven A, Gulumser O, Ozgen T. Cushing's syndrome and adrenocortical insufficiency caused by topical steroids: misuse or abuse? J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2007;20:1173-1182.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18183788?tool=bestpractice.com
关节内和硬膜外皮质类固醇治疗风湿性疾病或疼痛疾病[4]Mader R, Lavi I, Luboshitzky R. Evaluation of the pituitary-adrenal axis function following single intraarticular injection of methylprednisolone. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:924-928.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15751089?tool=bestpractice.com[55]Schott S, Schnauder G, Mussig K. Secondary adrenal insufficiency after local injections of triamcinolone acetonide [in German]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2009;134:298-301.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19197811?tool=bestpractice.com
吸入性皮质类固醇治疗哮喘或慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)。[10]Wlodarczyk JH, Gibson PG, Caeser M. Impact of inhaled corticosteroids on cortisol suppression in adults with asthma: a quantitative review. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008;100:23-30.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18254478?tool=bestpractice.com吸入皮质类固醇对肾上腺皮质功能的抑制作用:有中等质量的证据表明使用800至3200μg布地奈德可发生肾上腺功能抑制,高剂量的氟替卡松常与肾上腺危象的病例中相关。[16]Sharek PJ, Bergman DA, Ducharme FM. Beclomethasone for asthma in children: effects on linear growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1999;(3):CD001282.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001282/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10796632?tool=bestpractice.com[17]Adams N, Bestall J, Jones PW. Budesonide at different doses for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;(4):CD003271.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003271/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11687182?tool=bestpractice.com[18]Todd GR, Acerini CL, Ross-Russell R, et al. Survey of adrenal crisis associated with inhaled corticosteroids in the United Kingdom. Arch Dis Child. 2002;87:457-461.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12456538?tool=bestpractice.com环索奈德对肾上腺功能似乎并无不利影响。[15]Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Adrenal suppression and clinical harms by inhaled corticosteroids: a review of safety and guidelines. August 2011. http://www.cadth.ca (last accessed 28 July 2016).http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/aug-2011/RC0295_Adrenal_Suppression_Inhaled_Steroids.pdf[19]Skoner DP, Maspero J, Banerji D, et al. Assessment of the long-term safety of inhaled ciclesonide on growth in children with asthma. Pediatrics. 2008;121:e1-e14.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18070931?tool=bestpractice.com受试者<200名的随机对照临床试验(RCT)、受试者>200名且方法学存在缺陷的随机对照临床试验(RCT)、方法学存在缺陷的系统评价或者高质量的观察性(队列)研究。
氢化可的松、泼尼松龙、泼尼松和地塞米松的等效剂量为:
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 糖皮质激素的剂量换算由 MC Lansang 和SL Quinn绘制 [Citation ends].
非处方药物如湿疹治疗制剂、皮肤美白霜和草药等可能含有皮质类固醇。同时需查找其他处方来源的皮质类固醇,如用于治疗炎症性肠病的灌肠剂或直肠泡沫剂。并收集皮质类固醇治疗的其他信息,如类型、剂量、给药途径和疗程。相对少见的病史包括如醋酸甲地孕酮或醋酸甲羟孕酮等作用于糖皮质激素受体的药物的用药史[26]Gonzalez Villarroel P, Fernandez Perez I, Paramo C, et al. Megestrol acetate-induced adrenal insufficiency. Clin Transl Oncol. 2008;10:235-237.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18411198?tool=bestpractice.com[27]Bulchandani D, Nachani J, Amin A, et al. Megestrol acetate-associated adrenal insufficiency. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. 2008;6:167-172.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18775392?tool=bestpractice.com[28]Vassiliadi D, Tsagarakis S. Unusual causes of Cushing's syndrome. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2007;51:1245-1252.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-27302007000800010http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209862?tool=bestpractice.com[29]Orme LM, Bond JD, Humphrey MS, et al. Megestrol acetate in pediatric oncology patients may lead to severe, symptomatic adrenal suppression. Cancer. 2003;98:397-405.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.11502/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12872362?tool=bestpractice.com[30]Meacham LR, Mazewski C, Krawiecki N. Mechanism of transient adrenal insufficiency with megestrol acetate treatment of cachexia in children with cancer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003;25:414-417.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12759631?tool=bestpractice.com[31]Naing KK, Dewar JA, Leese GP. Megestrol acetate therapy and secondary adrenal suppression. Cancer. 1999;86:1044-1049.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10491532?tool=bestpractice.com[32]Mann M, Koller E, Murgo A, et al. Glucocorticoidlike activity of megestrol: a summary of Food and Drug Administration experience and a review of the literature. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:1651-1656.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9250225?tool=bestpractice.com[33]Subramanian S, Goker H, Kanji A, et al. Clinical adrenal insufficiency in patients receiving megestrol therapy. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:1008-1011.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9140272?tool=bestpractice.com[34]Hellman L, Yoshida K, Zumoff B, et al. The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the pituitary-adrenal axis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976;42:912-917.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/178684?tool=bestpractice.com[35]Van Veelen H, Willemse PH, Sleijfer DT, et al. Adrenal suppression by oral high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in breast cancer patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1984;12:83-86.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6321047?tool=bestpractice.com[36]Dux S, Bishara J, Marom D, et al. Medroxyprogesterone acetate-induced secondary adrenal insufficiency. Ann Pharmacother. 1998;32:134.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9475840?tool=bestpractice.com[37]Malik KJ, Wakelin K, Dean S, et al. Cushing's syndrome and hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis suppression induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate. Ann Clin Biochem. 1996;33:187-189.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8791979?tool=bestpractice.com极少见的情况为患者既往有导致库欣综合征的垂体腺瘤或癌的切除病史。[40]Bertagna C, Orth DN. Clinical and laboratory findings and results of therapy in 58 patients with adrenocortical tumors admitted to a single medical center (1951 to 1978). Am J Med. 1981;71:855-875.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6272575?tool=bestpractice.com[41]Luton JP, Cerdas S, Billaud L, et al. Clinical features of adrenocortical carcinoma, prognostic factors, and the effect of mitotane therapy. N Engl J Med. 1990;322:1195-1201.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2325710?tool=bestpractice.com
肾上腺皮质功能不全的症状可能存在,尤其是当刺激药物迅速减少或停止时。这些症状通常模糊不定。包括疲劳、纳差、恶心和/或呕吐以及体重减轻。也可能存在头晕、体位性症状、肌痛和关节痛。腹痛可能轻微,也可能很严重,以至于误诊为急腹症。
患者可能自述有库欣综合征表现,包括中枢神经系统的症状,如抑郁、焦虑或睡眠障碍。既往可能有体重增加和食欲亢进、满月脸、颈背不脂肪垫和易瘀伤等病史。其他内科疾病如高血压和糖尿病,可能会更加难以控制并且对药物的反应变差。
体检
患者可能会有类库欣样表现。可能存在一过性高血压。皮肤表现为多血貌、宽大紫纹、皮肤菲薄、易有瘀斑,常有痤疮。多缺乏与促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)升高相关的特征表现(如皮肤黏膜色素沉着)。也少有与自身免疫性肾上腺皮质功能不全相关的自身免疫疾病(如白癜风)的其他特征表现。这些特征有助于鉴别内源性和医源性引起的肾上腺功能抑制。可能表现为近端肌无力。急性发作时可出现体位性低血压(立位晕厥)。其需要应用皮质类固醇治疗的基础疾病(例如哮喘、弥漫性特应性皮炎)可有典型体征,也可能被治疗掩盖。其基础疾病症状可能会再发,但这些表现并不能代表肾上腺皮质功能不全发生。
辅助检查
患者可能偶有实验室检查结果显示低血糖症、高血糖症、低钾血症、低镁血症以及浓缩性碱中毒,这些症状虽无诊断价值,但应高度怀疑是否有糖皮质激素应用史。由于患者肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统仍保持完整,故常无盐皮质激素缺乏导致的电解质异常如高钾血症表现。
如仍超生理剂量使用皮质类固醇,肾上腺功能评估并无帮助。有糖皮质激素用药史的患者如果停药或减量至生理或低于生理水平,且伴有肾上腺皮质功能不全的症状,应进行肾上腺功能抑制的检查。
最简单的诊断性检查为晨间随机血浆皮质醇,但结果往往是不能用作最终诊断的,需要进行更复杂、但更可靠的兴奋试验来确认。由于 ACTH 被外源性皮质类固醇抑制,血清皮质醇多降低。一般认为血皮质醇低于110nmol/L(4μg/dL)应考虑HPA轴抑制。在110和469nmol/L之间(4和17μg/dL)为不确定结果。[56]Erturk E, Jaffe CA, Barkan AL. Evaluation of the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by insulin hypoglycemia test. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83:2350-2354.http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.83.7.4980http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9661607?tool=bestpractice.com如结果不确定,需要进行兴奋试验明确诊断,以安全地停用皮质类固醇。不建议将随机血清皮质醇和 ACTH 作为评估肾上腺功能的可靠指标。相较于兴奋试验,许多医生更倾向于通过将皮质类固醇逐渐减量来替代。当晨间血清皮质醇值>497nmol/L(18μg/dL),可以安全停用皮质类固醇。
午夜唾液皮质醇是公认的识别库欣综合征的极优诊断工具,而晨间唾液皮质醇作为肾上腺皮质功能不全的筛查手段,也愈加受到关注。研究发现,晨间血清皮质醇与唾液皮质醇在鉴别肾上腺皮质功能不全和正常肾上腺皮质功能方面的作用相当。[57]Restituto P, Galofré JC, Gil MJ, et al. Advantage of salivary cortisol measurements in the diagnosis of glucocorticoid related disorders. Clin Biochem. 2008;41:688-692.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18280810?tool=bestpractice.com[58]Deutschbein T, Unger N, Mann K, et al. Diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency: unstimulated early morning cortisol in saliva and serum in comparison with the insulin tolerance test. Horm Metab Res. 2009;41:834-839.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19585406?tool=bestpractice.com唾液皮质醇在合并低蛋白血症和肝硬化的肝病患者中特别重要,因为与血浆总皮质醇相比,唾液皮质醇与肾上腺功能以及血浆游离皮质醇的相关性更高。[59]Thevenot T, Borot S, Remy-Martin A, et al. Assessment of adrenal function in cirrhotic patients using concentration of serum-free and salivary cortisol. Liver Int. 2011;31:425-433.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21281437?tool=bestpractice.com[60]Galbois A, Rudler M, Massard J, et al. Assessment of adrenal function in cirrhotic patients: salivary cortisol should be preferred. J Hepatol. 2010;52:839-845.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20385427?tool=bestpractice.com进行ACTH兴奋试验时,如果患者存在其他原因导致血浆结合蛋白升高或降低,唾液皮质醇或能有效替代血浆游离皮质醇。[61]Raff H. Utility of salivary cortisol measurements in Cushing's syndrome andadrenal insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94:3647-3655.http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jc.2009-1166http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19602555?tool=bestpractice.comICU患者如能获得足够的唾液样本,其唾液皮质醇和血清游离皮质醇密切相关,但常出现采量不足或污染的问题。[62]Duplessis C, Rascona D, Cullum M, et al. Salivary and free serum cortisol evaluation. Mil Med. 2010;175:340-346.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20486506?tool=bestpractice.com尽管唾液皮质醇在未来的应用会更加广泛,但目前ICU患者确诊肾上腺皮质功能不全最好使用血清总皮质醇为诊断标准:即给予 ACTH 250μg后血清总皮质醇增加<9μg/dL或随机总皮质醇<10μg/dL。[63]Marik PE, Pastores SM, Annane D, et al; American College of Critical Care Medicine. Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of corticosteroid insufficiency in critically ill adult patients: consensus statements from an international task force by the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Crit Care Med. 2008;36:1937-1949.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18496365?tool=bestpractice.com
在一般情况下,ACTH兴奋试验是诊断肾上腺功能抑制的首选方法。传统的ACTH兴奋试验和低剂量ACTH兴奋试验使用ACTH(人工合成的 ACTH 如促皮质素静脉注射或静脉点滴)兴奋肾上腺皮质,然后测定肾上腺皮质功能,其结果通常是可靠的。最常用的剂量是250μg,甚至可以在门诊进行试验。[64]Grinspoon SK, Biller BM. Clinical review 62: laboratory assessment of adrenal insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;79:923-931.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7962298?tool=bestpractice.com在鉴别肾上腺功能抑制方面,认为应用1μg或10μgACTH进行兴奋试验比250μgACTH更敏感,但前者需要稀释后静脉输液,而后者只需简单的肌肉注射或静脉注射。[65]Abdu TAM, Elhadd TA, Neary R, et al. Comparison of the low dose short Synacthen test (1 microg), the conventional dose short Synacthen test (250 microg), and the insulin tolerance test for assessment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with pituitary disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:838-843.http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.84.3.5535http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10084558?tool=bestpractice.com[66]Giordano R, Picu A, Bonelli L, et al. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis evaluation in patients with hypothalamo-pituitary disorders: comparison of different provocative tests. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2008;68:935-941.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18031311?tool=bestpractice.com[67]Suliman AM, Smith TP, Labib M, et al. The low-dose ACTH test does not provide a useful assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in secondary adrenal insufficiency. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2002;56:533-539.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11966747?tool=bestpractice.com[68]Gonzalez-Gonzalez JG, De la Garza-Hernandez NE, Mancillas-Adame LG, et al. A high-sensitivity test in the assessment of adrenocortical insufficiency: 10 microg vs 250 microg cosyntropin dose assessment of adrenocortical insufficiency. J Endocrinol. 1998;159:275-280.http://joe.endocrinology-journals.org/cgi/reprint/159/2/275http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9795368?tool=bestpractice.com[69]Kazlauskaite R, Evans AT, Villabona CV, et al; Consortium for Evaluation of Corticotropin Test in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal Insufficiency. Corticotropin tests for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal insufficiency: a metaanalysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:4245-4253.http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jc.2008-0710http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18697868?tool=bestpractice.com在非应激患者中,1μg检查获得的30min时总皮质醇临界值为<18~20μg/dL;在危重患者中,临界值为<25μg/dL或与基线相比增加<9μg/dL。[70]Magnotti M, Shimshi M. Diagnosing adrenal insufficiency: which test is best - the 1-microg or the 250-microg cosyntropin stimulation test? Endocr Pract. 2008;14:233-238.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18308665?tool=bestpractice.com一项 meta 分析通过对比 1 mcg ACTH 兴奋试验与 250 mcg 剂量的 ACTH 兴奋试验发现,两种剂量在诊断继发性肾上腺功能不全方面的灵敏度均较低,特异性均较高,并且两种剂量的诊断准确性相似。[71]Ospina NS, Al Nofal A, Bancos I, et al. ACTH stimulation tests for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101:427-434.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26649617?tool=bestpractice.com在新近发生HPA轴抑制的患者中,其肾上腺未完全萎缩,故ACTH兴奋试验的结果可能并不可靠。如果患者服用氢化可的松或泼尼松龙,建议检查前停药24小时,以避免出现假阳性。其他皮质类固醇制剂,如地塞米松,与 ACTH 兴奋试验中的皮质醇检测并无交叉反应。
虽然胰岛素耐量试验(ITT)和过夜美替拉酮试验有些繁琐,但可以评估整个HPA轴,且能够发现肾上腺皮质功能部分减退。[64]Grinspoon SK, Biller BM. Clinical review 62: laboratory assessment of adrenal insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;79:923-931.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7962298?tool=bestpractice.com如果同时需要确定患者是否也合并生长激素缺乏,ITT作为诊断性检查可考虑应用。如果需要针对性地了解患者是否因近期的垂体损伤(例如垂体手术)继发肾上腺皮质功能不全,可以采用ITT和美替拉酮试验。垂体损伤后2至3周内,由于肾上腺的储备功能,ACTH兴奋试验结果仍为正常。然而,ITT可能会显示垂体对应激无应答。因为ITT依赖于症状性低血糖的发生来刺激皮质醇释放,从而评估整个HPA轴,但有低血糖发作的风险,必须在密切观察下进行。并不建议合并心血管疾病或癫痫发作的年老体弱患者进行该试验。美替拉酮试验也可评估整个HPA轴,但其理论上可能引起急性肾上腺皮质功能不全,但发生率很低。
当怀疑患者因局部应用(如硬膜外或关节内的)糖皮质激素制剂导致肾上腺功能抑制,而患者对用药记忆模糊时,可检查尿液中有无合成皮质类固醇,以确认有无外源性糖皮质激素的全身性吸收,但该检查不能用于诊断。
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 肾上腺功能抑制试验表由 MC Lansang 和SL Quinn绘制 [Citation ends].