Adrenocortical Function in Long-Term Treatment with Corticoids

Abstract

It has been definitely established that the administration of cortisone results in suppression of adrenocortical function and atrophy of the adrenal cortex.¹ These effects are believed to be due to suppression of secretion of corticotropin. The purposes of the current study were threefold: first, to determine the degree of adrenocortical responsiveness, if any, to the stimulus of exogenous corticotropin (ACTH) in pa- tients receiving continuous therapy with cortisone, hydrocortisone, and/or prednisone. (These three corticoids will be subsequently referred to simply as cortisone.) The second purpose was to determine the influence, if any, of the daily dose of cortisone and/or the duration of therapy on the degree of adrenocortical response to corticotropin. The third purpose was to observe the change, if any, in responsiveness to corticotropin in persons who had been so tested twice before, and under identical conditions, while being maintained on long-term and continuous treatment with cortisone.^2,3