The metabolic effects of glucocorticoid replacement therapy in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency due to hypothalamic-pituitary diseases: results from a retrospective and longitudinal study
Authors' conclusion
Our study proved that GCs replacement therapy may be associated with a worsening of glucose metabolism, particularly in patients already affected by IGT/T2DM.
Study context
- Population
- Patients affected by pituitary disease with at least 3 years of follow-up
- Participants
- 140 patients
- Exposure
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) on glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy vs pituitary disease without SAI
- Outcome
- Worsening of glucose metabolism
- Follow-up
- 3-year follow-up
Methodological detailsconsecutive inclusion, 1:1 ratio
- Consecutive inclusion
- 1:1 ratio
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.019
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Worsening of lipid metabolism
P = 0.033
Risk factors for worsening of glucose metabolism at 3-year follow-up
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GC replacement therapy | 2.3 (1.1–4.9) | P = 0.014 | |
| Higher fasting glycaemia at baseline | 7.6 (2.3–25.4) | P = 0.04 | |
| IGT/T2DM at baseline | 8.6 (0.8–57) | P = 0.016 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
Risk factor for worsening of lipid profile
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| TSH deficitThe only risk factor | 2.9 (1.3–6.5) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.10.31310Odds ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
The metabolic effects of glucocorticoid replacement therapy in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency due to hypothalamic-pituitary diseases: results from a retrospective and longitudinal study. Pituitary. Published 11 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →