A call for standardization: Practice patterns and management of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in surgical intensive care units

Huang, Chun-Sing; Miles, Travis J; Thomas, Brice; Todd, S. Rob; Wilson, Chad T.; Suliburk, James W.

doi:10.1016/j.injury.2021.05.036

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“…Furthermore, the administration of the sedative drug Etomidate, a known inhibitor of cortisol synthesis, was found to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, including trauma and surgical patients (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Of note, the clinical impact of CIRCI and the recommendation to supplement steroids in cases of inadequate cortisol levels have been repeatedly challenged in the literature and inconsistency in practice remains among intensivists (19)(20)(21)(22).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cortisol Levels During First Admission Day Are Associated With Clinical Outcomes in Surgical Critically Ill Patients

Goder,

Gerstenhaber,

Gal Oz

et al. 2024

Critical Care Explorations

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IMPORTANCE: To explore the correlation between cortisol levels during first admission day and clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Although most patients exhibit a surge in cortisol levels in response to stress, some suffer from critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). Literature remains inconclusive as to which of these patients are at greater risk of poor outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: A surgical ICU (SICU) in a tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Critically ill patients admitted to the SICU who were not treated with steroids. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Levels of cortisol taken within 24 hours of admission (day 1 [D1] cortisol) in 1412 eligible patients were collected and analyzed. Results were categorized into four groups: low (0–10 µg/dL), normal (10–25 µg/dL), high (25–50 µg/dL), and very high (above 50 µg/dL) cortisol levels. Primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were the need for organ support (use of vasopressors and mechanical ventilation [MV]), ICU length of stay (LOS), and duration of MV. RESULTS: The majority of patients (63%) had high or very high D1 cortisol levels, whereas 7.6% had low levels and thus could be diagnosed with CIRCI. There were statistically significant differences in 90-day mortality between the four groups and very high levels were found to be an independent risk factor for mortality, primarily in patients with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) less than or equal to 3 or SOFA greater than or equal to 7. Higher cortisol levels were associated with all secondary endpoints. CIRCI was associated with favorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In critically ill surgical patients D1 cortisol levels above 50 mcg/dL were associated with mortality, need for organ support, longer ICU LOS, and duration of MV, whereas low levels correlated with good clinical outcomes even though untreated. D1 cortisol level greater than 50 mcg/dL can help discriminate nonsurvivors from survivors when SOFA less than or equal to 3 or SOFA greater than or equal to 7.

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